Autumn School Holiday Program
7 to 17 April 2026
Breeze into the Autumn School Holidays with two action-packed weeks of fun, free activities. Try your hand at painting, building, puzzling, chess, and more! We're bringing back our ever-popular chess tournaments and, of course, our friends from the Western BACE STEM Squad will join us with a range of tech gadgets and challenges for all ages.
Bookings for all programs will open at 9am on Monday 30 March 2026. Bookings are required for all programs unless otherwise specified.
You can make a booking:
Adult supervision is required at all programs for children under 12 years old.
Activities and Programs
Check Mates Chess Tournament (ages 7 to 14)
Put your chess skills to the test with a friendly, non-elimination tournament. Bring your friends and family to cheer you on. Players of all levels are welcome.
Tuesday 7 April, 10.30am to 12.30pm, Melton Library & Learning Hub
Tuesday 14 April, 10.30am to 12.30pm, Caroline Springs Library & Learning Hub
Bookings
Paint an Apron (ages 5 to 12)
Decorate your own apron with fabric paint! You’ll leave with a finished apron featuring your own unique design that you can use for cooking, crafts, and all your favourite messy activities.
Wednesday 8 April, 2pm to 3.30pm, Melton Library & Learning Hub
Wednesday 15 April, 10am to 11.30am, Caroline Springs Library & Learning Hub
Bookings
Bedazzled Books (ages 12 to 18)
Brighten up your bookshelf with some bling! Bring a book from home to decorate with rhinestones and shiny things.
Thursday 9 April, 1pm to 2.30pm, Melton Library & Learning Hub
Friday 17 April, 2pm to 3.30pm, Caroline Springs Library & Learning Hub
Bookings
Family Movie: How to Train Your Dragon, 2025 (all ages)
Join Hiccup and Toothless on a fun-filled, family-friendly adventure! Bring along your family and friends
and kick back in the comfort of the library theatre.
Thursday 9 April, 3pm to 5pm, Melton Library & Learning Hub
Bookings
Build a Wooden House (ages 5 to 12)
Build it, paint it, and make it yours. Assemble your dream house and bring it to life with paint and decorations.
Tuesday 14 April, 10am to 12pm, Melton Library & Learning Hub
Thursday 16 April, 10am to 12pm, Caroline Springs Library & Learning Hub
Bookings
Forensic Detectives (ages 10 to 13)
Can you crack the case and catch a crook? Use real forensic science techniques like pH tests, handwriting analysis, fingerprint dusting, and more to capture the culprit. Presented by Mad About Science Incursions.
Tuesday 14 April, 2pm to 3pm, Caroline Springs Library & Learning Hub
Bookings
Public Speaking Workshop (ages 14+)
Learn how to capture the attention of a room and build your confidence in public speaking in this friendly, no-pressure workshop presented by the Melton Toastmasters Club.
Wednesday 15 April, 10.30am to 12pm, Melton Library & Learning Hub
Bookings
Paint to the Vibe (ages 12 to 18)
Join our music-led painting session, exclusively for teens. Paint along to a changing soundtrack and create some no-rules, no-expectations art.
Wednesday 8 April, 2pm to 3.30pm, Caroline Springs Library & Learning Hub
Wednesday 15 April, 2pm to 3.30pm, Melton Library & Learning Hub
Bookings
Jigsaw Competition (ages 6 to 12)
This puzzling brain buster event is perfect for those who love a challenge. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to work in teams to see how quickly you can puzzle together a jigsaw.
Thursday 16 April, 10am to 11am, Melton Library & Learning Hub
Bookings
First Aid for Kids (ages 7 to 13)
Do you know what to do in an emergency? Join this interactive and fun session to learn practical skills so you can be prepared for anything! Presented by Cool Kids First Aid.
Friday 17 April, 10am to 12pm, Caroline Springs Library & Learning Hub
Friday 17 April, 2pm to 4pm, Melton Library & Learning Hub
Bookings
Western BACE STEM programs
Multi-level Coding Jam (ages 8 to 15)
From curious beginners to confident coders, we have coding sessions for all ages and abilities. Grow your skills, and spark creativity through games, animations, and interactive stories.
Tuesday 7 April to Friday 10 April, Caroline Springs Library & Learning Hub
Session times and bookings
Presented by the Western BACE STEM Squad.
Space Rangers Robotics Challenge (ages 5 to 8)
Guide a robot through fun, space-themed missions! Complete interactive challenges and build your problem-solving, creativity, and early robotics skills in an exciting, hands-on adventure.
Tuesday 7 April and Thursday 9 April, Caroline Springs Library & Learning Hub
Session times and bookings
Presented by the Western BACE STEM Squad
Data Detectives (ages 10 to 15)
Crack the code and think like a data detective! Spot patterns, uncover trends, and turn numbers into smart decisions in this fast-paced, hands-on challenge.
Tuesday 7 April and Wednesday 8 April, Caroline Springs Library & Learning Hub
Session times and bookings
Presented by the Western BACE STEM Squad
Code Spark Lab (ages 8 to 12)
Explore the magic of microcontrollers. Code fun mini projects that light up, react, and respond to your commands. Through quick, hands-on challenges, discover how computers sense and interact with the real world.
Tuesday 7 April and Wednesday 8 April, Caroline Springs Library & Learning Hub
Session times and bookings
Presented by the Western BACE STEM Squad
Sky Flyer Lab (ages 9 to 15)
Explore the science of flight as you build and launch your own paper planes. Discover how forces like lift and drag help your creations soar farther and faster in this fun, hands-on challenge.
Tuesday 7 April and Wednesday 8 April, Caroline Springs Library & Learning Hub
Session times and bookings
Presented by the Western BACE STEM Squad
Bionic Build-Off (ages 9 to 12)
Design, build, and test your own working bionic hand using simple materials. Explore engineering, movement, and creativity in this fun, hands-on robotics challenge!
Thursday 9 April and Friday 10 April, Caroline Springs Library & Learning Hub
Session times and bookings
Presented by the Western BACE STEM Squad
Wind Spin Challenge (ages 9 to 15)
Harness the power of the wind! Design and test your own spinning turbine and see how fast you can make it go. Experiment, tweak, and compete to create the ultimate wind-powered spinner!
Thursday 9 April and Friday 10 April, Caroline Springs Library & Learning Hub
Session times and bookings
Presented by the Western BACE STEM Squad
Createch Challenge (ages 9 to 15)
Think it, build it, and make it awesome! Design, code, and craft cool projects that show off your big ideas. Mix imagination with digital tools and see just how far your creativity can go!
Thursday 9 April and Friday 10 April, Caroline Springs Library & Learning Hub
Session times and bookings
Presented by the Western BACE STEM Squad
Create, Code and Discover Zone (ages 9+)
Step into our ultimate tech playground! Tinker, test, and create at your own pace, no rules, no rush. From coding puzzles to creative experiments, every activity is an invitation to play, learn, and unleash your inner innovator.
Tuesday 7 April to Friday 10 April, Caroline Springs Library & Learning Hub
Bookings are not required. Drop in any time from 10am to 1pm, or 2pm to 4pm. Learn more.
Presented by the Western BACE STEM Squad and Kangan Institute.
Frequently asked questions
My child is outside of the age limit for a program. Can they still join in?
We’ve done our best to include a range of activities for kids of all ages. Some events have an age limit to ensure that everyone gets the most out of our programs. We may not be able to accommodate children that are outside of the program age limit.
The activity I want to do is booked out. What can I do?
We understand this can be disappointing when this happens. If the program you are interested in is fully booked, you can add your name to the waiting list. We will contact you if there is a cancellation.
Do I need to supervise my child during the program?
We ask that a parent or guardian stays with all children aged 12 and under. Library staff are not able to supervise young children.
Can I cancel a booking?
Things happen! We understand. If you have booked a place at one of our programs but can no longer attend, please contact us so that we can offer your place to someone else.
I am running late for my event. What should I do?
If you are running late, we will hold your booking for 10 minutes*. After this time, we will offer your place to the next person on the waitlist.
*Unfortunately, we cannot hold bookings for Western BACE programs.
Have a different question?
Please contact the library. Phone 9747 5300 during library opening hours, or email library@melton.vic.gov.au