Whether you’re picking up a book for the first time, visiting the home of your favourite fictional characters or writing your own tales, bring books to life this summer using these fun activities and ideas below.
Summer of Reading
Check out the #SummerofReading - a shared programme of free events and resources, from over 20 organisations, to help families and teachers support children in reading for pleasure this summer.
Find out more about Summer Reading
Scouts
Share your own stories and work together to draw
heroes and act out their adventures.
Find out more about Scouts' Hybrid Heroes
The Reading Agency
Once upon a time it was The Summer Reading Challenge. Children aged 4-11 can get reading through public libraries and be transported to far away lands and learn new things through reading. Teachers and families can also join in with the Teacher Reading Challenge.
On Saturday 31 July The Reading Agency is hosting an online read-a-long and draw-a-long with an award-winning author and illustrator.
Find out more and register.
Story Museum
Story makers and Comic Club to interactive walks, family jukebox and story time, Oxford's Story Museum has a range of activities, performances and workshops for children and young people, throughout the summer holiday.
Find out what's on at the Story Museum
Wiltshire Libraries
Take part in different themed challenges, write and draw in special footprints, then enter them into a prize draw for some special rewards.
Climate Action Footprint Challenge
Gateshead Libraries
Code along with Gateshead Libraries to create your own adventure game to save the sharks. Suitable for coding beginners aged 7+. Sign up for the event on 29 July now.
Family Fun with Scratch - Animate an Adventure Game
Bookmark
Children aged 5-9 and their families can enjoy reading materials, take part in activities together and watch ‘read along’ videos. Parents can also find tips and tricks to help make the most out of reading with their children.
Find out more at Bookmark
Book Clubs in Schools
Why not join a book club this summer? Find resources and activities for the Year 7 Mini Book club. 14-19 year olds can still sign up to the National Teen Book Club and taking part gives young people the chance to hear from award winning writers and become published authors themselves.
Sign up now before 18 August.
British Library
Did someone say marmalade sandwiches?
Paddington: The story of a Bear, an adorable new exhibition, is open for you to explore this summer!
Paddington: The story of a Bear
Discover Children's Story Centre
A summer of stories! Create your own in magical story worlds, immerse yourself in much-loved fairy tales, join a colourful carnival celebration and meet a line-up of extraordinary authors and illustrators as they share their latest creations.
Explore fun things to see and do
World Book Day
Join a World Book Day Book Club, or take part in book themed Scavenger Hunts, with themed resources for children aged 5-7, 7-9 and 9-11. Families can also get involved with their little ones in the Share A Story Corner.
Take part in World Book day
National Poetry Day
Join Forwards Art Foundation in preparing for National Poetry Day in October by taking part in #ChooseaPoem this summer. Find out more at National Poetry Day with further resources at Poetry By Heart.
The Poetry Society
The Poetry Society welcomes young people up to age 25 to join its Young Poets Network, where you can take part in free-to-enter writing challenges and have the opportunity to see your poetry published.
Take part and enter the challenge
BookTrust
From BookStart for children in the early years, BookTrust StoryTime in local libraries and BookTrust HomeTime for children aged 0-11.
BookTrust has a wide range of activities for families and children to enjoy.
National Literacy Trust
Explore a range of resources on National Literacy Trust’s virtual School Library (with Oak Academy), the Words for Life website supporting families with children aged 0-12 and Zone In with reading, writing and wellbeing activities for young people 13+ and 16+.
Find out more from Words for Life - Zone In
Check out your local library
Discover all the exciting activities on offer at your local library so you can enjoy and explore the joys of reading near you.
Your local library services
So much to rediscover...
See what else is on offer and explore other ways to Rediscover Summer safely with our guide and remember to join the conversation on social media using the #RediscoverSummer hashtag.
Rediscover Summer guide
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