Things to do

Expect the unexpected: things to do for kids in our libraries

Our libraries are full of activities and collections to stimulate young minds. From preschool, tweens to teens – there's something for all ages

Image: courtesy of Darling Square Library, 2024.

From little ones to tweens and teens, our libraries are packed with exciting resources and workshops built to entertain, educate and fill the minds of kids of all ages. We’ve rounded up 6 things kids can uncover across our libraries.

3D printing

Do you want to learn how to create and print your very own 3D design? Attend 3D print club, where 12 to 16 year olds are guided to create their own 3D designs using open source software like Tinkercad and Cura in our fully equipped makerspace.

There's also 3D printing in our Makertime for families, Makertime open access 16+ and weekend Makertime for families workshops.

Experienced facilitators show kids the ropes, discuss and help them bring their ideas to life. It’s a space that encourages collaboration, idea-sharing, and exploration of free online resources.

All ages
Darling Square Library, Haymarket
Discover what's on at Makerspace.

Customs House Library music collection. Image: courtesy of Customs House Library
Customs House Library music collection. Image: courtesy of Customs House Library

Borrow way more than books

Our libraries offer a huge and ever-growing collection of books, ebooks, audiobooks and comics to let your kid’s imagination run wild. But did you know you can also borrow films, music, robotics kits and even ukuleles?

Our diverse collection ensures there's something for every curious mind.
Find out more.

Bring your own Manga comic book character to life at a makerspace workshop. Image: Courtesy of Darling Square Library, 2024
Bring your own Manga comic book character to life at a makerspace workshop. Image: Courtesy of Darling Square Library, 2024

Manga comic book workshop

A tech-free workshop for kids to sketch manga-style characters that reflect their personalities. They’ll use panels and page layouts to bring their unique stories to life. From dark and mysterious worlds to mischievous and joyful characters, the only limit is where their imagination will take them.

The workshop supplies pencils, Artline pens, and colourful markers to help them unleash their inner comic book artist.

For kids 9-12 years
Darling Square Library, Haymarket
Discover what's on at Makerspace.

Put the 'fun' in coding fundamentals for kids at our dedicated makerspace workshop. Image: Courtesy of Darling Square Library, 2024
Put the 'fun' in coding fundamentals for kids at our dedicated makerspace workshop. Image: Courtesy of Darling Square Library, 2024

Creative coding

This creative coding workshop puts the fun into fundamental coding skills, with the goal of helping kids make something expressive rather than functional.

In this beginner-level workshop, kids can use the magic of code to create a printable artwork they can take home.

For kids 8-12 years
Darling Square Library, Haymarket
Discover what's on at Makerspace.

Build a squiggle-bot and then let it battle it out. Image: Courtesy of Darling Square Library, 2024
Build a squiggle-bot and then let it battle it out. Image: Courtesy of Darling Square Library, 2024

Robot battle

In this 2-hour workshop, kids aged 8 to 12 will immerse themselves in a range of robotics activities that explore the five tenets of STEAM – science, technology, engineering, art, and maths. Together, they’ll build scribble-bots and then see what happens when we put them all in the same arena!

This workshop combines digital and analogue technologies for a hands-on learning experience.

For kids 8-12 years
Darling Square Library, Haymarket
Discover what's on at Makerspace.

Rhymetime and storytime sessions are presented in Auslan, English, and Mandarin at Darling Square, Glebe, Green Square, and Surry Hills libraries during school terms.  Image: City of Sydney, 2024
Rhymetime and storytime sessions are presented in Auslan, English, and Mandarin at Darling Square, Glebe, Green Square, and Surry Hills libraries during school terms. Image: City of Sydney, 2024

Rhymetime & storytime

Foster your young child’s literacy and language through group singing, reading and other fun activities.

Rhymetime, for ages zero to 2, combines rhymes, movement, music and singing to help develop early literacy skills.

Storytime, for ages 3 to 5, helps develop a love of reading and literacy skills, and encourages social interaction for school readiness in a playful setting.

These sessions are presented in Auslan, English, and Mandarin at Darling Square, Glebe, Green Square, and Surry Hills libraries during school terms.

For kids aged up to 5 years
Various locations
Find out weekly session times.

See all Darling Square Library makerspace workshops and activities or discover your local library and everything they have on offer for young minds. Find out how to borrow your own makerspace kits including robotics and electronics, music and instruments.

Kids can join their local library by visiting our branches and young adults can even start their applications online. You can also download our library app.

Published 10 July 2024

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