Upcoming Recreational Events at all Libraries
Regular Recreational Events
Meet the makers and fill your kete with art; while supporting Maaori and local artists from around Waikato!
Come along and play board games in the library! Many board games are available but feel free to bring your own if you’d like.
Games Night (Central Library) - Adults and teens welcome.
See times and dates.
Fun and Games (Hillcrest Library) - All ages welcome.
See times and dates.
There are a variety of groups which meet regularly at our libraries to discuss what they are reading. See our Literature Events page for more information on each of these groups.
Join Chess: Beginner to Tactician, an eight-week course designed to teach you the basics of the game and give you the confidence and skills needed to begin your journey.
Suitable for people aged 7 and over.
Bring your knitting, crochet or stitching project, and enjoy the company of fellow craft enthusiasts at these regular meet-ups. Share skills, ideas and make new friends over a cuppa.
Knit Together (St Andrews Library) - see dates and times.
Yarn 'n' Yack (Hillcrest Library) - see dates and times.
LEGO Club encourages children to learn while having fun! Creativity, problem solving, and teamwork are some of the skills that "playing" with LEGO can teach children.
Join us for an evening of creativity and camaraderie at Make and Mend, hosted by Waikato TimeBank. Gather your handcrafts, knitting needles, sewing kits, or projects that need attention. Whether you’re an experienced crafter or a novice exploring your creative side, come join us on the last Thursday of each month and enjoy making and mending with like-minded individuals.
Suitable for adults, teens, and older children.
Free origami workshop with a different theme each month! All welcome, no registration required.
Suitable for all ages.
Practice your speaking and communication skills in a fun, welcoming and friendly environment. Suitable for both fluent and new English speakers - all levels of ability are welcome.
Suitable for adults.
Seasonal Recreational Events
School Holiday Programmes
Each school holidays during the year we have activity-based programmes with different themes open to all school aged kids. Sometimes, a number of prizes can be won at the end of each activity. The kids get to take their crafty creations and drawings home. All our events are usually free, but registration may be required for more popular programmes. We also have programmes where you can simply come along on the day to join in.
Occasional Recreational Events
Chess Competitions
A chess competition is especially exciting for children who have taken part in the Learn to Play Chess programme. Put your skills to the test in a round robin chess competition.
To find out when the next chess competition is, check our Event Calendar or follow our Facebook Page.
Family Movie Nights
Sometimes we like to invite whaanau to join us for a free movie screening and popcorn at one of our libraries!
Look out for dates for the next Family Movie Night on our Event Calendar, Facebook page, or sign up to our newsletter, ePaanui, for updates.
Harry Potter in the Library
Each year we invite Harry Potter fans aged 8-13 along to the library for a fun-filled day of wizarding events. Test your knowledge and earn points for your house! In 2021, due to demand, we invited grown-up Harry Potter fans to compete in teams for the "Try-Wizard Cup"!
Look out for dates for the next Harry Potter Celebration on our Event Calendar, Facebook page, or sign up to our newsletter, ePaanui, for updates.