Spring into the school holidays at the end of the month, with loads of fun and activities – from searching for treasure to racing remote controlled cars and planting delphiniums in the domain!

Council’s What’s On Guide for September has the low-down on 27 events taking place at the Ashburton Library, Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum, EA Networks Centre and in our parks.

Printed copies are available at Council facilities, and you can also download a copy from our website.

Group Manager People and Facilities Sarah Mosley said the What’s On Guide had become a trusted companion for parents and caregivers in the school holidays.

“This is our fourth quarterly guide and it shows all the activities that are available locally, most of them free. We’re really proud of all the fun offerings that have been imagined and brought to life these coming holidays.”

Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum

AAGM currently has an exhibition about the SS Ventnor, which sank off the west coast of New Zealand in 1902. For the school holidays, the team has created a treasure hunt around the facility where children can search for treasure and also make a treasure chest – the activity runs for both weeks of the holidays.

In the second week, children can make a ceramic vase that they take home and bake. This activity ties in with another exhibition about taonga treasure and honouring your ancestors – vases have been used over time as visual stories of the past.

Check out the full list of activities at the gallery and museum.

Ashburton Library

The library has a number of events aimed for different age groups, but takes on an F1 racing feel, with five two-hour sessions scheduled for teens to come and have a go with some remote controlled cars. The activity is free, but booking is essential, so grab some friends and sign up.

There will be four racing cars and they’ll race on a track in the event space. Circuits will be timed – may the best driver win!

Sessions are Monday 22 September 3-5pm, Tuesday 23 September 10am-12pm, Wed 1 October 2-4pm, Thursday 2 October 5.30-7.30pm, Friday 3 October 3-5pm. Book here.

The library team is heading to the Ashburton Domain on Wednesday 24 September on a date with delphiniums. Come along and plant some and learn about gardening.

The activity is free, but booking is required as there’s a limit of 20 places. Make sure you wear suitable clothing and bring some gardening gloves.

Check out the full list of activities at the library.

EA Networks Centre

There’s a spring theme for this holiday care programme, which runs on weekdays over the holidays. Activities include archery, swimming and two field trips.

The inflatable will be set up in the stadium from Friday 26 September until Monday 29 September, with set session times for those under 5 years of age.

In the pool area, you can float and watch a movie on Saturday 27 September, and there are special events organised during the holidays, like a family water safety session and sensory swim morning.

Come and sink a free throw at one of our basketball hoops to help raise money for Plunket, in our own version of Dunk It for Plunket.

Check out the full list of activities at the pool and recreation centre.