Summer School Holiday Guide
- Gizzy Local
- Dec 29, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Check out the offerings by these fine, local activity providers who will have the young ones entertained and engaged during the long and free days of summer.
Tōnui Collab
STEMM Workshops:
7 - 13 years old
Tōnui Collab, 466 Childers Road, Te Hapara
$50 per child per workshop
9 am - 3 pm each day, need to bring morning tea, lunch and a drink
Online bookings and workshop details, www.tonuicollab.com/holiday-workshops
December - Week 1:
Tuesday 16 December - Game Development
Wednesday 17 December - Virtual Reality
Thursday 18 December - Digital Art
January - Week 2:
Tuesday 20 January - Virtual Reality
Wednesday 21 January - Game Development
Thursday 22 January - Rocket Engineering
January - Week 3:
Tuesday 27 January - Robotics
Wednesday 28 January - Animation
Thursday 29 January - Virtual Reality
Free Holiday Fun @ The HB Williams Memorial Library
All these fun events are happening at the Gisborne Library - Children must be accompanied by an adult for all holiday activities.
Raumati Taniwha Hunt
December 15 – January 24 during library open hours
Search for the taniwha hidden around the library. Collect the letters hidden with the taniwha to solve the secret message. Pick up a hunt form in the children's area.
Wiki Tuatahi | Week One
Monday January 05 | 10.00 am – 11.30 am Bookmarks & book accessories
Bookmarks & Book accessories
We're getting bookish today and making bookmarks and a bunch of other book crafts.
For ages 5+
Tuesday, January 06 | 10.00 am – 11.30 am Tinfoil boat challenge
You'll have 30 minutes to build your boat, then the challenge will begin. We'll see how well it can float and how much weight it can hold.
For ages 5+
Wednesday, January 07 | 10.00 am – 11.30 am Fridge Magnets
Create your very own personalised magnets to bling out your fridge. Your imagination and creativity is all you need.
For ages 5+
Thursday, January 08 | 10.00 am – 11.30 am Face painting
Parents, bring your artistic flair, ready to paint your kids. Let the kids paint you if you're brave enough. We'll supply the paint, you bring the creativity. Self-managed craft that could get messy!
For all ages
Friday, January 09 | 10.00 am – 11.30 am Lego
We're pulling out the Lego for a morning of building fun. Build your own creation or join the team build to build a life-size creation.
For all ages. Under 5’s must be supervised at all times.
Wiki Tuatahi | Week Two
Monday, January 12 | 10.00 am – 11.30 am Marble Run
We've got paper straws and marbles galore, ready for some marble rolling fun. Fun, easy craft for the kids. Young children will need a helping hand from a parent or caregiver.
For ages 5+
Tuesday, January 13 | 10.00 am – 11.30 am DIY Reusable water bombs
We're making water bombs out of sponges so you can use them over and over again for some cool water fun this summer!
For all ages
Wednesday, January 14 | 10.00 am – 11.30 am Dominoes
Help us build a domino track. Let's see how many dominoes we can line up before they all fall down.
For all ages
Thursday, January 15 | 10.00 am – 11.30 am Tower Building
With just newspapers, magazines and cello tape, how tall can you build your tower?
For all ages
Friday, January 16 | 10.00 am – 11.30 am Games, games, games
We’re pulling out all the board games we can find. Monopoly, Operation, Headbandz, and more!!! Bring your morning tea and competitive streak for a morning of family games.
For all ages
Wiki Tuatoru | Week Three
Monday, January 19 | 10.00 am – 11.30 am STEM Creation Stations
We're emptying the resource cupboard and letting the kids go for gold. IMAGINE, BUILD, CREATE! Let your imagination run wild and see what you can make.
For all ages
Tuesday, January 20 | 10.00 am – 11.30 am Paper Planes
We're making paper planes! Challenge our librarians and see whose plane will fly the furthest.
For ages 5+
Wednesday, January 21 | 10.00 am – 11.30 am Badges
Help us test our badge maker and turn your art into a badge. You draw the design, wear your badge art or give it away as a gift.
For ages 5+
Thursday, January 22 | 10.00 am – 11.30 am Mini Art
Inspired by the tiny gallery, we're getting creative and creating mini works of art.
For ages 5+
Friday, January 23 | 10.00 am – 11.30 am Cookie decorating
We're zhooshing up wine biscuits with colourful icing and sprinkles. It may not be suitable for children with food allergies.
For ages 5+
All activities are free.
East Coast Museum of Technology
ECMoT is home to technologies of the past, like stationary engines, amateur radio, computers & games, vintage cars, firetrucks and much more!
They’re located at 67 Main Road, Makaraka, Gisborne. They welcome people of all ages.
Entry is $10 per adult, $5 for seniors/students, and $2 for primary/secondary students. Under 5s are free.
Over the school holiday period, ECMOT is open.
SATURDAY 13th December. 10 Am - 4 PM
SATURDAY 10th January. 10 Am - 4 PM
Reach out for more information by email enquiries@ecmot.org.nz.
Pine Hollow Riding School / Riverview Treks
Jacquie and the team offer the chance to get up close and personal with her gentle animals. Their holiday programme is open from 9:15 am - 3:30. They are located at 2424 Matawai Road. If you require transport, they have limited spaces in a van for pick-up and drop-off at the Tudor Park Motel.
Pick-up is at 8:50 am and drop-off is at 4 pm. If you require the minivan, please note that at the time of booking.
Participants need to wear appropriate footwear (gumboots or closed-toed shoes) and dress to the conditions.
Caters to ages 5-18. Cost is $65 for the day.
Email pinehollowridingschool@gmail.com to register.
Payments are via bank transfer (acct: Pine Hollow 06-0637-0264724-00).
For more info, including booking and cancellation policy, ring Jacquie on 0277491629, email (above) or message the team on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riverviewtreks
Empowering Young Women Through Ayurvedic Education.
Join Moana for an Ayurvedic workshop designed for young women aged 14-18
With Moana, you will explore the foundations of Ayurveda, have fun with simple cooking, and learn about the different qualities that make each person unique .
You will learn about yourself, how to accept your own nature, and how to understand others with more ease and compassion.
For more information, get in touch via www.ayurwell.co.nz or call Moana on 027 292 8864
105 Wainui Road, Gisborne
