Running throughout the school holidays, this year’s Summer Reading Challenge is a fun and free holiday activity for all children aged four to 11.
Aiming to improve children’s confidence and reading skills, they can read anything and collect free rewards for their reading. This year’s theme, Story Garden, focuses on the great outdoors and nature.
Through reading, children will uncover enchanting landscapes, magical creatures and vibrant plants brought vividly to life by award-winning illustrator, Dapo Adeola. Libraries throughout the London borough pf Haringey, in north London, will be transformed into immersive gardens of adventure, where – supported by free activities and resources – children’s imaginations can flourish!
To take part, you can sign up at your local Haringey library! A friendly librarian will give you a fun sticker booklet and help you find books to read. You’ll collect rewards and special stickers for your reading.
There are these in-person, Summer Reading Challenge activities and events taking places in local libraries across borough:
Summer Reading Challenge activities at Coombes Croft Library every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday (2pm-3pm): Sign up at Coombes Croft Library and join them every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday for an interesting and fun-filled activity relating to the Story Garden theme for this year* (*Activities suitable for ages eight – 11).
Following the recent Mini Farmer Landscape session at Hornsey Library and the Making an Owl/‘It’ll be a hoot!’ arts and crafts session at St Ann’s Library, the still-to-come Mini Cacti Collection craft session will be at Hornsey Library on Wednesday 20 August 2025 (3:30pm-4:30pm), where you can design your very own collection of cacti, which are fascinating plants that have adapted to survive in dry environments like deserts and are known for their ability to story water in their stems.
Their spines are actually modified leaves. Cacti are also found in a variety of shapes and sizes, with some even growing to be very tall – all for you to come along, and also discover more about cacti!* (*Activity suitable for ages five-plus).
You can also take part online and log books on your profile. Setting yourself a reading goal and – when you reach it – you’ll unlock some digital goodies and a certificate of achievement. You will find amazing books (including the Story Garden collection), awesome author videos and plenty of activities too on the Summer Reading Challenge website.
For further information on all the exciting and fun activities and events taking place in libraries across the borough for Haringey adults, children and families alike, download the Haringey ‘What’s On in Libraries’ brochure.
