LEICESTER Libraries have launched their annual reading challenge, with free fun activities on offer over the long summer holidays.
This year’s summer reading challenge – which encourages children to read for pleasure – takes the theme of ‘Story Garden’ and officially kicked off on Saturday 28 June.
It’s free and easy to take part – simply visit your local library three times between 28 June and 14 September 2025 and borrow and read at least six books to complete the challenge. You can also borrow books online from Leicester Libraries’ ebook or eAudiobook collections.
Once signed up to the challenge, children will receive ‘Story Garden’ themed collectables on all of their visits – including a poster and sticker packs.
There are also lots of exciting activities to get involved in. Visit a library in the first week of the summer holidays (14-18 July) and make a character, creature, object, plant or other feature to add to an amazing story garden scene in each library.
Free family fun will take place across the city from 22 July to 13 August, when each library will host an afternoon of creative activities. Ask at your library for details - and don't forget to borrow a book!
Very young children can join in at libraries’ weekly Toddler Time sessions. You can also borrow books and collect stickers from children’s centres, or from the Children’s BookBus, which will be in Town Hall Square on Wednesday 6 August from 10am-12noon and outside John Lewis on Bath House Lane on other Wednesday mornings during the school holidays.
A Young Storytellers Club for 11-16 year-olds will run on Tuesdays in the summer at Leicester’s Central Library. This free, four-week workshop will teach young people the art of storytelling, and takes place from 3-5pm on Tuesdays 29 July, 5, 12 and 19 August. To join the club, young people just need to email libraries-childrens-team@leicester.gov.uk
Adults can be a role model by reading six books too - borrow and read six books from Leicester libraries in July and August for a chance to win £30 worth of books.
Cllr Vi Dempster (pictured), assistant city mayor for libraries and community centres, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to offer lots of free reading-themed activities throughout the summer, for children and young people of all ages.
“Our summer reading challenge is always very popular, with thousands of local children getting involved - more than 6,000 children took part in the challenge last year.
“Ebooks and audio books are included in the challenge too, so however you like to borrow books, you can take part.”
The 2025 summer reading challenge is produced by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with libraries.
For more information, see leicester.gov.uk/libraries