Summer Reading Challenge 2026

The Summer Reading Challenge is a free activity for children aged 4-11 delivered by The Reading Agency in partnership with public libraries and powered by Universal Music UK. It's all about reading for fun, aiming to improve children's skills and confidence over the summer holiday.

Children can pick up their Summer Reading Challenge pack and free magazine from their local library.  They set their own reading goals and read anything they like from the library.  They collect reward stickers as they achieve their reading goals. At the end of the summer, children who complete all their goals earn a certificate and a medal.  For under 5s there is a mini challenge, so they don't miss out. There is also a digital platform with different activities and digital rewards.

This year's theme is Read to the Beat, giving everyone the opportunity to discover diverse musical genres and cultural influences through specially curated reading lists and engaging activities that celebrate the connection between storytelling and sound. There will be lots of free children's activities in our libraries including professional music and dance artists.

To sign up, just pop into your local library. Children will need to be library members - you can do this in a library or online. It's free of charge and children will receive their own library card for which there are no overdue fees. Find out more about joining the library in branch or online. 

Nationally the Summer Reading Challenge has engaged over half a million children annually for more than 25 years. It starts on Saturday 4 July and finishes Saturday 12 September.