Boredom Busting Ideas for Summer

Looking for ideas to keep the kids occupied these holidays?

Try these fun and simple craft ideas from across the galactic interweb:

"laser beam" obstacle course : streamers/string stuck across a corridor

(from Chicken Babies blog)

bubble wrap painting

(from Intello Kids blog - they also have a great idea for using squares of bubble wrap taped to the floor for hopscotch!)

coiled magazine paper glued to a balloon - when the glue has dried, pop the balloon!

(from Veetje blog)

photo bookmarks - have fun taking the photos before you even start on the bookmarks!

(from creativefamilymoments.com)

balloon and paper plate ping pong

(from Giggleberry Creations blog - they have lots of ideas for paper plate crafts)

paint bobby pins with nail polish - make sure they're completely dry before you wear them!
(from Pinterest)

pompoms - need we say more?
(from kraft croch blog)

Save the Date

National Simultaneous Storytime, Australia’s biggest single storytelling event, is coming to the Busselton Public Library on 23 May 2012 at 10am.

Mark the date in your diary and look out for the exciting announcement of the 2012 book coming soon!

Poetry Competiton for Under 12s

Alphabet Soup is a quarterly magazine for children aged 6 to 12, and is giving away a $20 book voucher in their current Summer Writing Competition.

Here's what you need to do:

* Write a poem no longer than 12 lines. Your poem should contain the word 'dragon.'

* Include a competition entry form. This may be printed from the website (see link below), photocopied (hard copies are available from the Busselton Library), or contact Alphabet Soup to have one emailed or posted to you.

* Your entry can be handwritten or typed. Make a copy of your entry as Alphabet Soup cannot return entries.

* Entries close 21 JANUARY 2012.

Visit http://www.alphabetsoup.net.au/ for information on current competitions for kids aged 12 and under.

To download a competition entry form (with T&Cs) click here.

Children's Laureate Winners

Congratulations Alison Lester and Boori Monty Pryor for being honoured as the first ever Australian Children's Laureates. The two incredibly talented children's authors will share the inaugural appointment for 2012 and 2013. During their appointment Alison and Boori will act as national and international ambassadors for Australian children’s literature and will separately visit every state and territory inspiring young people to share and write their own stories.

You can search for books by Alison Lester and Boori Monty Pryor on the Busselton Libraries catalogue, or for more information on the Australian Children's Laureate click here.

A Midsummer Knight's Read at Busselton Library

The annual Summer Reading Club program will once again be taking place at the Busselton Library throughout the summer holidays.

This year the theme is A Midsummer Knight’s Read, exploring medieval history and classic fairy tales, as well as contemporary stories with familiar characters such as knights, princesses and dragons with a new twist. The program will promote reading as an enjoyable experience and encourage children to seek out new places to read, along with celebrating familiar reading spaces.

The Summer Reading Club is promoted primarily to children from 4 to 12 years of age, offering a variety of engaging creative writing activities, arts and crafts activities and games which encourage a love for books and reading as well as literacy and computer skills.

At the Busselton Library, Summer Reading Club activities run from Thursday 15 December, 2011 until Wednesday 25 January, 2012. Children and young people can register for free at our library and will receive a participation pack with library information and an activity booklet.

Last year the Summer Reading Club was a huge success with over 880 books being read by Busselton kids. This year, with the help of your family, it could be even bigger and better!

Research demonstrates that children who read for pleasure are the best readers and that families that read together provide the strongest model for future readers. The Summer Reading Club is an excellent program to support reading over the holidays across the community.

For more information contact the Busselton Library on the (08) 9754 1588 or email.

Cape to Cape Home Educators Network

The Cape to Cape Home Educators Network is a group of parents who educate our children at home. We are from varied backgrounds and come with various philosophies. They are located in the southwest of Western Australia in the towns of (but not limited to) Augusta, Busselton, Cowaramup, Dunsborough, Nannup and Margaret River.

The Cape to Cape Home Educators Network organises outings, classes and clubs for the purpose of education, socialisation and support. Those living in the general area and wanting to join in on activities are welcome to be members.

For more info and to become a member click here.

Busselton Toy Library

Are you and our children sick and tired of having the same old toys?
Join the Busselton Toy Library are you can have new toys each week!

Busselton Toy Library is a community organisation and are currently looking for new members.
They are located at the Kent Street Family Centre and open each Saturday morning from 9.30-11am.
Toys can be hired for 2 weeks at a time for an annual fee, toys available are suitable for children from newborn through to around 6 years of age.
The range of toys includes puzzles and costumes to outdoor toys of all descriptions for both girls and boys.
For more information call phone (08) 9752 3550 or email.