From fairy tale performances to puppetry, from cartoon sketching to storytelling, there is lots to keep the children occupied at Liverpool libraries during half term and beyond.
Programmed by Liverpool City Council’s Culture Liverpool team and made possible thanks to UK Shared Prosperity Funding, the free drop-in activities will kick off in half-term but continue through to March (more details of which will be revealed soon).
Lunar New Year Movement & Storytelling Workshops With Movema
Movema professional artists invite families, grown-ups and kids alike to share interactive, fun, engaging and educational sessions focused on celebrating Lunar New Year. Suitable for all, no experience needed.
Saturday 22 February, Liverpool Central Library | 10am – 12noon | Saturday 22 February, Allerton Library | 1pm – 3pm
Year of the Snake, Lunar New Year Workshops
Drop in and create a Snake for Chinese New Year with illustrator and cartoonist Stu Harrison.
Tuesday 18 February, Lee Valley Library (Belle Vale) | Wednesday 19 February, Toxteth Library | Thursday 20 February, Sefton Park Library | 11am – 1pm for all locations
Sketchy Portraits with Gill Smith
Drop in to meet children’s book illustrator Gill Smith and have a fun quick portrait done of you and your family. A unique experience that you can take home as you own unique artwork.
Tuesday 18 February, Norris Green Library | Wednesday 19 February, Kensington Library | 10.30am – 1.30pm for both locations
Up & Away by Tmesis Theatre
An interactive family friendly show using words, puppetry and physical theatre, in a celebration of hope and dreaming the impossible! Join Tmesis Theatre as they take you on an exciting journey of the discovery of flight and the hot air balloon! Suitable for families with children aged 2 upwards. Performance lasts 40 minutes with optional colouring activity afterwards.
Wednesday 19 February, Allerton Library | 2pm – 2.45pm Reserve your free place
Saturday 15 March, Wavertree Library | 11am – 12noon Reserve your free place
Saturday 15 March, Spellow Library | 2pm – 3pm Reserve your free place
Rumpelstiltskin by Altru Drama
A lovely new performance of the classic tale, packed with fun, original songs, live music and audience interaction. Albert Peddler can sell anything – anything that is except books! He thinks they’re boring and rubbish – but Robyn knows better and she takes him on a journey through the story of Rumpelstiltskin to prove just how exciting books can be. The performance is 40 minutes long and is suitable for the whole family.
Friday 21 February, Old Swan Library | 11am – 11.40am Reserve your free place
Friday 21 February, West Derby Library | 2pm – 2.40pm Reserve your free place
Saturday 1 March, Norris Green Library | 11am – 11.40am Reserve your free place
Saturday 1 March, Sefton Park Library | 2pm – 2.40pm Reserve your free place
Captain Parrot and His Ship full of Stories
Captain Parrot has got his hands on a brand new ship and he needs a crew! Join him on his adventure to find treasure, with stories, songs, and plenty of audience interaction! It’s a thrilling journey filled with excitement and fun for all ages. Ready your sea legs and prepare for a voyage like no other!
Saturday 1 March, Wavertree Library | 11am – 12pm Reserve your free place
Saturday 1 March, Allerton Library | 2pm – 3pm Reserve your free place
Alongside the public programme, there will be a series of closed sessions for schools as part of the Liverpool Learning Partnership, which is committed to supporting schools to encourage reading for pleasure. These visits to community libraries will include resource packs to continue the learning back in school.
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:
“Family activities in our libraries are a great way to keep kids brains ticking over during half-term and participatory arts projects can help young people develop self-confidence, empathy and social skills. However, it is also a good opportunity for parents to meet our team and find out what else is going on in their local library.
“We all know the vital role that libraries play in fostering a love of reading and improving literacy but they are so much more than just places to borrow books. They also act as community hubs, often providing a lifeline to isolated parents by offering a space to meet others and share experiences. They also offer a warm, safe space to access computers, the internet and online training courses.”
