THERE’S lots going at Leicester’s libraries this half-term that will keep children of all ages busy.
Six city libraries are amongst the venues for this year’s Spark Festival, which means there’s live performance, activities and workshops to look forward to, as well as all the books any child could want for their half-term reading.
Tomorrow (Saturday 18 February) at 11am, Let’s Play Messing Around will entertain those aged 2–5 at the Pork Pie Library, before being repeated at St Barnabas Library at 4pm. The magical musical tale will then move to Beaumont Leys Library (11am) and Highfields Library (4pm) on Sunday 19 February. A family ticket for four costs £10 (£12 for non-library members) and can be booked at the venue.
Also on Saturday 18 February, two further Spark Festival events will entertain families at Belgrave Library and the Brite Centre. Ticket prices and details of Four Go Wild in Wellies and What Happened to You? are available at thesparkarts.co.uk/festival.
Children will take over Belgrave Library on Sunday 19 February, as local families work with Spark Arts to create a day of arts and crafts. Admission to Takeover Belgrave Library Is free of charge and the fun runs from 12 noon until 4pm.
On Monday 20 February, there’s free undersea-themed crafts at Beaumont Leys Library from 2pm to 3pm, while Highfields Library has fun with matchstick crafts between 11am and 1pm.
There’s arts and crafts at the Brite Centre on Tuesday 21 February from 12 noon until 3pm, badge and bookmark-making at New Parks Library from 1.30pm-4pm, paper crafts at Knighton Library from 1.30pm-4pm and half-term crafts at Evington Library from 1pm-3pm.
Further craft sessions will run at Hamilton Library from 1pm-3pm, Fosse Library from 2pm-5pm and at Westcotes Library from 1pm-3pm on Wednesday 22 February. Also that day, the Central Library will host a special session of Cosmic Crafts from 12 noon until 4pm. All activities are free of charge.
On Thursday 23 February, there’s a chance for youngsters to try out their comedy skills at a Joke Spot at Highfields Library. Pop in with your best jokes between 1pm and 4pm and be part of the UK’s Kids’ Comedy Festival. Look out for other Joke Spots at Beaumont Leys, Belgrave, Pork Pie and Westcotes libraries.
Treasure hunters can enjoy an Undersea Treasure Hunt at Beaumont Leys Library every day during half-term.
Also taking place at three Leicester libraries are science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) events that are free to attend but which require pre-booking.
Two sessions on Wind Turbines will take place at Hamilton Library on Tuesday 21 February (10.30am-11am and 11.30am-12 noon), at the Central Library on Wednesday 22 February (12 noon-12.30pm and 1pm-1.30pm), and finally at New Parks Library on Friday 24 February (1.30pm-2pm and 2.30pm-3pm).
Places are limited so please call the relevant library to book your free place.
For the latest information about what’s on at Leicester’s libraries, please call or pop in to your local library. Contact details are listed at leicester.gov.uk/libraries
Also in time for half-term, the book libraries at Leicester’s children & family centres will be re-launched, with brand new books for those aged 0-8 available to borrow.
Free half-term events aimed at very young children will include stay & plays, story-telling and craft activities.
Find out what’s on at your local children’s centre at families.leicester.gov.uk/childrens-centres