Get Some Half Term Happy in Wandsworth Libraries

Half term activities for children and families in Wandsworth libraries. If you would like to attend an event please contact the library in advance to see if booking is required.

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Saturday 19

10am-4pm Balham Library, 020 8673 1129
Black Heroes Wall of Fame Installation         
Black Heroes Foundation will be bringing their travelling exhibition to Balham Library. A collection of pictures and audio clips collected across the community about individuals lives and the Black Heroes who have influenced their lives. The Black Heroes Foundation works to create empowering EduTainment; theatre, music, education and community engagement for a world where Black Heroes are acknowledged, respected and celebrated.
11am-12pm Battersea Park Children’s Library, 020 720 4122
John Titi Banya: A Kenyan Fairy Tale
A free children’s story event for Black History Month, please contact the library to book a place.
12-3pm Balham Library, 020 8673 1129
Crafternoon
Family friendly afternoon with stalls selling handmade clothing for babies and children, and art prints and bookmarks. Delicious South Asian snacks will also be on sale in aid of charity.
Children’s activities: 12.30-1.30pm: Henna tattoos (cost by small donation).2-3pm: Special storytelling and art activities for children aged 3 + led by artist Ieva Bee and actress Vassie Vasseva. Drop in for the craft stalls and henna tattoos, but please book for the storytelling and art workshop; speak to staff or call the library.
1-2pm Tooting Children’s Library, 020 8767 0543
Strings Club
Ignite your child’s love of music! At this music discovery day children will experience two fun 20 minute music lessons on guitar and ukulele.For ages 4-11, free but please book at www.thestringsclub.org  

Monday 21

10am-12pm Tooting Children’s Library, 020 8767 0543
How to save the planet – more or less!
Climate action comes down to doing some things MORE and others LESS.  The workshop will inspire with relevant actions enabling you to make an impact now. It covers the power of the individual, where to start, collaboration & co-operation, getting MORE or LESS active, the short and long term. This event is free but please book in advance at www.wandsworthlifelonglearning.org.uk For ages 11+
1-3pm, Balham Library, 020 8763 1129
How to save the planet – more or less!
Calling all young climate activists – this workshops is for you! Come along with your family and learn about the power of the individual, how to get started, collaboration and co-operation, getting MORE or LESS active, and short and long term goals. Most suitable for young people aged 10+ and their families. This event is free but please book in advance at www.wandsworthlifelonglearning.org.uk
1-2pm Tooting Children’s Library, 020 8767 0543
Emoji challenge
The Emoji Challenge will provide you with skin tone face cut-outs and a prepared selection of cut-out facial features including eyes, noses, lips, brows, hair and head coverings. Can you make an emoji that looks like you in 5 minutes? A PRIZE for the quickest time and best representation! A free dop-in workshop with Jackie Mwanza from the Ubuntu Museum
2pm Battersea Park Library, 020 7720 4122
Board For The Holidays?
Join us for a Board Games Battle. Snakes and Ladders, Ludo, Draughts and more…Ages 5+ years
3-4pm Balham Library, 020 8673 1129
Storytelling with John Titi
Join Balham library in welcoming John Titi: travelling storyteller extraordinaire! John will be regaling us with reimagined tales collected from the communities he works with. Diverse African performance elements like banter, chant, song, music, riddles, tongue twisters, dance and movement are seamlessly interwoven to form highly interactive contemporary storytelling theatre performances. Most suitable for 7+ but all welcome. Free & no need to book

Tuesday 22

10am-12pm Tooting Children’s Library, 020 8767 0543
Wangari’s Trees of Peace
A story and craft event with Heather. Hear the inspiring true story of Wangari Maathai the first African Woman to win the Nobel Prize. Take part in a craft event based on the story.
1pm Battersea Park Library, 020 7720 4122
Explore Learning Workshop
Superhero Shapes for ages 4-6 years.Free session. Booking Required
2-3pm Southfields Children’s Library, 020 8780 1945
African Folk Tales Using Puppets and Shadow Play
A partly interactive session with Delvene from Littlecrowns Storyhouse. Free event, but booking is essential.  Suitable for ages 5-11years.
2.30-3pm Tooting Children’s Library, 020 8767 0543
Handa’s Surprise Story-Time with Amma Poku
Free, drop-in session. Enter the world of Handa and her Friend Akeyo at this interactive story session that brings to life the sights, sounds and tastes of this iconic story book.
3pm Battersea Park Library, 020 7720 4122
Explore Learning Workshop
Maths Wizards for ages 7-9 years. Free session. Booking required

Wednesday 23

All day, Balham Library, 020 8763 1129
Black History Month Scavenger Hunt
Celebrate Black History Month and the power of stories with this drop in scavenger hunt and see whose voices and stories you can find on your library’s shelves. Most suitable for ages 7+. Free and drop in session.
10.15-11.15am, Southfields Children’s Library, 020 8780 1945
African Animals Stories & Craft
As part of our Black History Month celebrations we will be reading about lots of different African animals and showing you how to make your very own African animal.
11am-1pm Wandsworth Town Library, 020 8877 1742
African Headwrap Workshop
The richness of African textiles, the variety of materials, the combination of colours and its use as an expression of rituals, communication and art is something that is conventional as well as contemporary. Learn about African textiles with fashion designer and textile artist, Sylvia Emodi.   As part of the session, the workshop will give you an opportunity to get practical with a range of craft techniques. Suitable for the entire family.
2-4pm Battersea Children’s Library, 020 7223 2334
Half Term Black History Month Celebration
An afternoon of crafts, games, and – of course! – books to celebrate Black History Month. Drop in throughout and join us for a special story time at 3:00 pm. Free and drop in. For children and their families.

Thursday 24

9.30–10.30am Ages 3+ Northcote Children’s Library, 020 7223 2336
Traffic Light Stories And Craft
African American inventor and businessman Garrett Morgan invented the traffic light, as part of Black History Month we will be holding a special story and craft session to celebrate his most important invention.
3-5pm Balham Chldren’s Library, 020 8673 1129
Magical Quests Show
Families can get set for some Hallowe’en fun with a free Harry Potter-themed theatre show. Local theatre company Magical Quests will be hosting a special performance which includes potion mixing. The fun kicks off in the library hall from 3pm. Best suited for ages 5 to 8 years. Book in person or call library staff
3.15-4.15pm Earlsfield Library, 020 8946 2088
Tiger Hunt
An event for children with author Barbara Ellis; a retired teacher, trainer, organiser and author of Tiger Hunt. She is the author of several books on education and Black history, alongside writing stories for children.
5-6pm Tooting Children’s Library, 020 8767 0543
Malorie Blackman
YA pop up book group with Heather. A free drop-in session, for age 12+. Borrow & read a copy of Nought Forever, come & share your views on this book & other YA black writers at a pop-up group. Bring talk. Nibbles provided!

Friday 25

10am-12pm Roehampton Library, 020 8246 6979
Science Sluths
This workshop will spark your family’s enthusiasm for exploring science in a practical way in your everyday life.  The following activities will inspire your science curiosity;  Building and floating ball challenges; Investigating diffusion and learning about colours; How plants absorb water. For families with children aged 6+
11am-4pm Balham Library, 020 8673 1129
Pop up ‘Book Love’ Carnival
In schools, libraries, galleries, on screens and even on our high streets - the stark lack of culturally inclusive representation, is sadly too obvious.  We at Book Love have made it our mission to change this.  We curate, showcase and bring together the best multicultural content the world of arts has to offer.  Book Love will take you on a journey of discovery with storytelling, meet the author events and the opportunity to buy inspiring books www.thisisbooklove.com 
11-11.30am Tooting Children’s Library, 020 8767 0543
Anna Hibiscus and Friends
Story-Time with Heather. Free, drop-in session for all ages. A story time & colouring session celebrating the work of our Author of the Month, Atinuke and her most lovable character Anna Hibiscus.
1-3pm Roehampton Library, 020 8246 6979
Look After The Pennies
Does money grow on trees?  As a family you will think together about the value of your money and how to use it and then you will decorate your own money box to help with your savings.  The session will cover:  Understanding needs and wants; Spend or save – help with pester powe; Learn about decoupage and decorate you own money box to take home and start saving. For familes with children aged 4+
2pm Battersea Park Library, 020 7720 4122
Fairy Doors Workshop
Are you aged between 5-10 years old? Would you LOVE to own your own Fairy Door? Join us for a fairy door workshop. Free session. Booking required. Limited spaces.
2-3pm Tooting Children’s Library, 020 8767 0543
Diwali Celebration Dance Display
Celebrate the Hindu Festival of Lights at a fabulous event showcasing the splendour and spectacle of a variety of classical and folk dances from the Indian sub-continent, performed by students aged 4-18 from the dance school of local community choreographer Ragini Rajgopal. Get your free tickets from the children’s desk.
2-4pm Wandsworth Town Children’s Library, 020 8877 1742
Family Knitting Workshop
Come and learn knitting and make a Halloweek bag or Christmas decoration. This event is free, wool and needles will be provided but please bring your own if possible.