Activities
On this page:
Free activities for primary school children are held at Merri-bek Libraries.
Lego builders
Come along and build, build, build! One hour of fun-packed free-play LEGO!
This session is for primary school aged children only. ALL children need to be accompanied by a parent/carer.
Fawkner Library, 2nd Tuesday of the month, 4pm during term times.
Curiosity Crew
A weekly STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) program encouraging children to learn through play and exploration, with the use of robotics, programming, digital technologies and creative arts.
This program is for children aged 8 years and over
For more information on sessions see our events on our Merri-bek Libraries Eventbrite page
Random Mondays
An hour of random fun activities every week. Craft, board games, LEGO® building, or something completely unexpected!
Coburg Library meeting room, every Monday during school term, 4pm.
This program is for children aged 5 and over.
Reading Challenges
BIG Summer Read
BIG Summer Read is a summer reading program aimed at primary school children, but anyone under 18 is welcome to enter. It encourages children to keep reading over the summer holidays.
The Big Summer Read has started for this year and runs all through December and finishes at the end of January 2025
Sign up and get reading, there are prizes to be won!!
Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge
The Premiers’ Reading Challenge is a fun way of encouraging children to read. Premiers Reading Challenge books are easy to find. Just look for the colour coded stickers on the book spine. You can also search for books, by age category, using the library website or on the Education Victoria website.
Short story competition 2024
Thank you to all the entrants of the Merri-bek Libraries Short story competition 2024. We are excited to announce the winners and achievement awards in each category. Click on the title of each story to read the winning entries. Stay tuned for information about our 2025 short story competition.
Up to 8 years
Winner – My Secret Friend by Abdullah Asif
Achievement – The Cheeky Monsters by Milania P
9 – 12 years
Winner – My Dream Pet by Elizabeth H
Achievement – The Pet Shop by Seth C
13 – 17 years
Winner – Let me find him by Ada H
Achievement – The dream library by Nevra K
Adult
Winner – Nimbus the Cloud Kitten by Zaynah Ferdous
Achievement – Her own worst enemy by Jo Scanlan
The 2024 theme was My Dream Pet. Writers were asked to unleash their imagination and craft a story about their dream pet, whether real or fictional. Stories should be 500 words or less, or a recording of 3 minutes or less.
Prizes
Up to 8 years old
Winner: $100 LEGO pack
Achievement: $50 Coles/Myer voucher
9 - 12 years old
Winner: $100 LEGO pack
Achievement: $50 Coles/Myer voucher
13 - 17 years old
Winner: $150 Coles/Myer voucher
Achievement: $50 Coles/Myer Voucher
Adult
Winner: $150 Coles/Myer voucher
Achievement: $100 Coles/Myer Voucher
CBCA Awards
The Children’s Book Council of Australia presents annual awards to books of literary merit, for outstanding contribution to Australian children’s literature. Every year Merri-bek Libraries celebrates these books at storytimes.
Winner and Honour Books: Announced at noon AEST on the third Friday in August.
For more information visit the Childrens Book Council of Australia website.