About our programmes
Winter Mini Challenge
The Winter Mini Challenge encourages children to keep up their reading habits over the winter holidays, with this free-to-access website featuring rewards for reading and reviewing books.
Taking part is simple. Children read at least three books of their choice in the winter holidays and add them to their online profile. Reaching their online reading goal will unlock a limited-edition virtual badge and a special Winter Mini Challenge certificate to print off and keep.
Get ready for a fun active Winter Mini Challenge as we continue our successful partnership with the Youth Sport Trust and our superstar team go on a wintery adventure.
Summer Reading Challenge
The Summer Reading Challenge, presented by The Reading Agency, is delivered in partnership with public libraries and funded by Arts Council England. The Challenge encourages children aged 4 to 11 to enjoy the benefits of reading for pleasure over the summer holidays, providing lots of fun as well as helping to prevent the summer reading ‘dip’. Each year the Challenge motivates over 700,000 children to keep reading to build their skills and confidence.
The Summer Reading Challenge theme for 2023 – Ready, Set, Read! – was created in partnership with Youth Sport Trust and illustrated by the brilliant children’s writer and illustrator Loretta Schauer. Our sport and play themed initiative kept children’s minds and bodies active over the summer break, empowering young people to forge new connections with others. The Challenge and the accompanying book collection showed families that imagination and play can unlock endless possibilities, and that the library is where this starts.
Running in July-September every year, there are two ways children take part, at the library OR online:
- You can join the Challenge at your local library and take part in person. The library will give you a special collector folder, stickers, and other special incentives, and help you find books to read for your Challenge.
- Alternatively, take part in the Challenge online by signing up here on the official website! Set a reading goal and log your books on your profile. When you reach your goal you will unlock a virtual badge and certificate.
Please note, the in-person and online Challenges are separate. Physical incentives like medals are only available via the library, for those taking part in the in-person Challenge.
You can keep up to date with all of The Reading Agency’s latest children’s activities and offers by following us on Facebook.
If your child enjoyed taking part in a Challenge and you can help us share the experience with even more children, please consider donating to The Reading Agency by clicking here.
If you would like to make a larger gift, legacy pledge or can support our fundraising in any way, please email [email protected]. The Reading Agency receives 100% of your donation. Obtain bill payer’s permission. Customer care 08448479800. Charity No 1085443.