Plenty on offer these holidays

Whether your child is sporty, dramatic or anxious there’s a holiday programme just for them in and around Timaru or online.

Holiday programmes usually conjure up the image of children engaged in finger painting and board games while their parents work but now the choices are far reaching as primary schools head towards a July 3-20 break.

For the past two years Talk Together has counsellors and a speech therapists poised to help children improve their social skills and deal with their anxiety.

Co-founder Megan Lewis said the programme had been developed to meet a need for 5 to 16-year-olds and could be accessed in the holidays online in Timaru.

She said it was about communication, interaction and regulating emotions through activities.

For sporty children there’s the Sport Canterbury holiday programme which introduces children to about 15 different sports.

Programme co-ordinator Leeanne Lang said the programme in the second week of the holidays attracts about 80 children in the morning and 50 in the afternoon.

She said they teach the children the fundamentals of sport. They break down the aspects of each sport such as passing and throwing and bring them together when they play.

‘‘We offer them new experiences and want them to know it’s OK to have a go.’’

Netball South Canterbury are holding their programmes at the Timaru, Temuka and Geraldine netball courts.

‘‘They learn basic skills such as smart warmups, injury preventions and skills sessions,’’ Netball South Canterbury centre manager Amanda Gray said.

At the Mash holiday programmes in Gleniti, Highfield and Temuka, children will have themes such as Harry Potter Day when they learn science, baking and craft all related to the boy wizard. The children also get to go on trips.

For those with stars in their eyes, there’s a choice between Aidan Theatre’s programme in Temuka and Giant Leaps Company in Timaru, both offering stage craft, confidence building and a performance.

From entertaining, to being entertained, Safe Kids in Daily Supervision (SKIDS) and Chipmunks Playland and Cafe promise action-packed and fun programmes.

For the more studious child the Timaru District Libraries in Timaru, Temuka and Geraldine will have plenty of Makerspace craft activities and puzzles on offer.