A free walking tour, a leaf hunt, puppet workshops and water bombs are among activities in the Autumn What’s On Guide, out now.

A whole host of action at Council facilities in April acknowledges the arrival of cooler weather, Easter and Anzac Day, and many activities are free.

Group Manager of People and Facilities Sarah Mosley said the popular What’s On Guide contained 20 pages of ideas to keep youngsters busy in the April school holidays.

“There’s something for everyone, whether you want to make a finger puppet or do a manu in the pool at EA Networks Centre. We’ve printed off 500 copies that will be available from our facilities and you can also download the guide from our website.”

One of the activities is a free lunchtime walking tour on Wednesday 15 April, when staff from Rokowhiria Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum will share stories about memorials and special trees in the Ashburton Domain and Baring Square East and West.

The tour starts at Rokowhiria at 12pm with a viewing of the In Plain Site exhibition and the collection of a special memorials map to guide you on your stroll to the sites. Staff will be stationed at each site and will share insights into the memorial’s origins, symbolism and enduring significance.

The guide also has activities, including a poetry competition, inspired by another exhibition, The Word Witch – Flights of Fancy. The poetry competition is open to all and will be judged by Ashburton's own David Elliot.

The Ashburton Library has craft activities, and some with a puppetry theme. You can make a dragon mask, a shadow lantern, finger puppets and attend a puppet workshop to design and build your own puppet and then bring it to life.

Ms Mosley said activities at EA Networks Centre included yoga and boxing for teens, as well as an aqua class for grandparents and their grandchildren.

“The bombing platform will also be out in the main pool on April 7 and 9 so there’ll be plenty of fun to be had there. Check the guide as some of these activities need to be booked and there may be charges.”

You can see the What’s On Guide online at ashburtondc.govt.nz/events