June 27, 2005
By Tabisa Mntengwana
GET OUT the house this winter and spend your days in the library, at the theatre or visit the zoo.
This winter holiday there are a variety of things to keep children busy and entertained, from watching birds to painting pictures, making friends with the toys in Toyland and listening to motivational discussions.
Theatre for the little ones
Johannesburg Youth Theatre
A new version of the popular Charles Dickens classic, Oliver Twist, is playing at the Johannesburg Youth Theatre until early August. The production, directed by Joyce Levinsohn, is called A Pocket Oliver Twist!
Bookings can be made through Computicket or by calling the theatre on 011 484 1584/5. Tickets are R40 for children and R50 for adults.
Liberty Life Theatre
The theatre hosts a classical music production called The Magical Box. The charming, fun-filled production, directed by Litzi Katz, is presented by the On Cue Theatre from Wednesday, 29 June at 2.30pm daily.
Bookings can be made at Computicket on 011 340 8000 or through the theatre's booking office on 011 883 8606. Tickets are R45 each, and R40 each for groups.
Johannesburg Civic Theatre
The People's Theatre at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre is showing one of the most loved children's stories, Noddy, until 6 August. The story takes the audience on an adventure with Noddy and his friends in Toyland.
Noddy and friends
The play is at 9am and 11am on weekdays, and at 10.30am and 2.30pm on Saturdays and public holidays. Tickets are R60 for non-members; Kids Club members pay R35, with accompanying adults paying R50. During the school holidays performances are at 10.30am and 2.30pm from Monday to Saturday.
Bookings can be made through Computicket or at the People's Theatre on 011 403 1563.
Animal fun at the zoo
The Johannesburg Zoo has a full holiday programme lined up for school children from Tuesday, 5 July to 20 July.
It starts on 5 July with the Art of Animal Defence, which has children investigating the different forms of defence animals use, using horns, teeth, smell, camouflage and much more.
On Wednesday, 6 July there is a ferry ride, that will take the kids to meet all the animals at the zoo. On Thursday, 7 July the zoo educationist gives a lesson on what animals eat and why.
The scary world of reptiles is explored on Friday, 8 July, and the children will get a chance to touch and feed the animals. Want to know how a red panda feels like? Visit the zoo on Tuesday, 12 July, and get a chance to learn about and feel different types of animal's skins.
Enter the colourful world of birds on Wednesday, 13 July. Kids can take a trip to the bird enclosure and meet Bella the umbrella cockatoo, Jerry the eagle owl and other flying creatures.
Ever thought of joining the animal world? Then here's a chance to learn more on how to take care of animals on Thursday, 14 July. The zoo gives interested children an overview of what to study at school to become a zookeeper, and takes them behind the scenes to areas where only zookeepers dare to go.
Meet the amazing farm animals on Friday, 15 July and learn how police patrol horses are trained. All holiday activities start at 9am and run until noon. They cost R40 per person.
Enjoy a night out and join the moonlight fun on 6, 13 or 20 July. The tour starts at 5pm and ends at 8pm, and costs R60 per person., For more information call 011 646 2000.
Libraries
Protea Glen Library has a full programme for bookworms this winter, starting from 27 June and running until 6 July.
The programme is full of activities, like reading competitions, indigenous games, book reviews and how to make use of recycled material. The activities start at 10am everyday.
Olivedale Library has a fun-filled programme with Kenbo the Clown visiting and hosting a play by the three little pig puppets. The kids can also enjoy a day colourful day of fabric painting.
All programmes start at 10am, from 1 to 15 July.
Boskruin Library plans an exciting and energetic holiday, with a concert, aerobics marathon and drama sessions. The programmes start from 1 July until 14 July.
Recreation and sports
The Region 8 sport and recreation department, together with Blue Cross Health, has a fun-filled programme on the cards, with the theme "Let's Bring Change in our Generation". Activities take place at the Banato High School, from 27 June to 2 July.
The programme includes crime, HIV/Aids and drug awareness discussions, movies and games such as basketball, soccer and swimming. Each child is expected to donate at least R2,50 a day.
For more information call David Masongezi on 011 484 1739.
Constitution Hill
The Constitution Kids programme, on at the Children's Room at Constitution Hill in Braamfontein, is designed to help children learn about democracy and their rights in a fun and interactive way.
Holiday events start from Monday, 4 July and run until Friday, 8 July, from 10am to 1pm. The programme uses different methods to engage the children, including storytelling, drama therapy, music, poetry, praise singing and puppetry.
Based on the theme "Every child has the right to a safe, comfortable and happy home", the first day of the programme starts with creative movements and dance on Monday.
Tuesday, 5 July is set aside for storytelling and a puppetry workshop; there is an arts and crafts workshop on Wednesday, 6 July.
Children are taught how to make musical instruments from waste materials during a music creation workshop on Thursday, 7 July.
Finally, different styles of poetry are taught on Friday, 8 July, together with the history of poetry and praise songs.
Constitution Hill is at 1 Kotze Street, Braamfontein. For more information and bookings, call Sharon Premchund on 011 381 3100.
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