Sport
15 April, 2026
The GIL Library Hub News
Books and Blocks was lively as part of the school holiday fun at The GIL Library Hub.
Books and Blocks
Kicking off our school holiday programs, our preschoolers enjoyed a fun and lively Books and Blocks session. Imagination was in full swing as children brought their play to life with puppets, trucks, trains, and figures. Dinosaurs stomped through bustling cities - and were so hungry they even tried to eat our librarian!
Along the way, we played colour games, sang songs, and explored shapes together. It was a fantastic session, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back for Books and Blocks next week!
Holiday LEGO®
Last week, it was time for the holiday edition of our popular LEGO® Club, packed with games, builds, and creativity galore! The session kicked off with a few lively rounds of LEGO® Bingo, where some lucky participants quickly completed their boards.
To celebrate Autumn, builders were then challenged to create using only seasonal colours - red, orange, yellow, and brown. The results were wonderfully imaginative: some crafted trees bursting with vibrant Autumn foliage, others built colourful fruits, while a few took on iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, reimagining them in bold seasonal hues.
We also saw an array of beautiful towers, gardens, boats, signs, and even party scenes, all brought to life within the challenge palette. Plenty of time was set aside for free play as well, with builders diving into the library’s extensive collection of LEGO® kits.
Be sure to check out the completed creations, now proudly on display in the library!
Crafty Storytime
The artistic talents of Gilgandra’s children were on full display at “Crafty Storytime,” where participants used paints and wooden backdrops to bring their creativity to life. Colours were mixed and applied to imaginative animal and fairy scenes, all while stories were read and enjoyed together.
We shared ‘Sebastian Stands Out’, ‘The Zoo Inside Me’, and ‘Hot Dog’ - a delightful tale featuring not only animals but even a mustard fairy! Combining storytelling with hands-on art is a wonderful way to spark children’s imagination and support their learning, and we were thrilled to offer both at the GIL Library Hub.
Preschool Craft
A very hungry caterpillar crawled through our library, inspiring all our preschoolers to create their own caterpillars to take home!
For our very first Preschool Craft session these school holidays, children joined us for a story and some creative fun. We listened together, counting all the foods the caterpillar ate, before moving on to hands-on activities - making paper caterpillars and painting our own eggs.
There was plenty of exploration with colours and textures, opportunities to develop fine motor skills, and lots of socialising with friends along the way. We’re already looking forward to welcoming everyone back for Preschool Craft again next week!
Holiday Engineering
Our recent school holiday engineering session at the library was a fantastic hands-on adventure in creativity and problem-solving. Children worked together to design and build their own Rube Goldberg machines using everyday materials like marbles, dominoes, balls, and cardboard tubes.
As they experimented and refined their designs, participants explored key scientific principles such as gravity, push and pull, and cause-and-effect.
A highlight of the session was the introduction of our new cardboard cutter machine, which quickly became a crowd favourite. It allowed children to safely and easily customise their designs, adding an extra layer of innovation to their creations.
It was wonderful to see so much curiosity, collaboration, and engineering thinking in action - we can’t wait to see what our young inventors come up with next!
Kids Gaming
The children eagerly zoomed into the GIL Library Hub for an energetic Holiday Gaming session. The Nintendo Switch and Meta Quest 3 VR were especially popular, offering a wide range of exciting games.
We raced through countless rounds of Mario Kart, got moving with virtual bowling, poured lava across the world in Minecraft, scaled mountains in Parkour VR, and battled fuzzy aliens that had invaded our Tech Space room!
There’s so much to explore in the world of gaming. Users who have signed a waiver can book solo or group gaming sessions at their convenience. Contact the library to find out how you can book a FREE session on our gaming computers, Meta Quest VR, Nintendo Switch, PS5, or PS5 VR.
Holiday Programs
Looking for more ways to stay entertained these holidays? The GIL Library Hub has an exciting program lined up for week two!
Holiday LEGO® returns with plenty of fun - jump into creative challenges or enjoy free play using the library’s extensive range of kits. Budding builders will also love Make-a-Machine, where children can create their own solar-powered toy car.
For those interested in technology and robotics, there’s a great selection of activities on offer to explore and enjoy.
Finish off the holidays with a relaxed family movie session - bring along your favourite snacks and settle in for a film on the big screen.
Bookings are essential and spots are limited, so don’t miss out - secure your place today!
Storytime
Stories, songs, and play return to the GIL Library Hub next week for our monthly Storytime session! Join us to experience the joy of early literacy in a safe, welcoming environment alongside other library families. We can’t wait to share a fun-filled time together!
DFYM LEGO® Club and Tech Club
Our regular after-school programs return next week, featuring engaging activities for primary school–aged students. DFYM LEGO® Club and Tech Club will be back at their usual times. Join us for hands-on building and technology fun—this term, Tech Club will kick off with exciting movie-making sessions. All primary school–aged children are welcome!
Friday Flicks this week, Friday Puzzles and Games next week
Friday Flicks returns this week with a well-reviewed G or PG-rated film, perfect for adult audiences. Next week, it’s time for Friday Puzzles and Games - an inviting session for puzzle lovers and game enthusiasts alike. Enjoy a selection of classic favourites or try your hand at something new. Why not stop by one of Gilgandra’s cafés beforehand and bring along your coffee and morning tea to enjoy during the session? It’s a relaxed, social morning - and best of all, it’s free! Please see the council advertisement for more information or to book a spot in any of our activities.
