Creative activities from the British Library
The British Library’s free website – Discovering Children’s Books – is brimming with inspiration. Dive in now and explore our cool creative activities.
Story soundtrack
Create a weird and wonderful soundtrack to a story, using everyday objects from around your home.
Image © Shelagh McCarthy
Create a pop-up theatre book
Imagine you’re eagerly sitting in the audience of a glamorous theatre. When the curtains are pulled back, who do you want to see on stage?
Image © Allen Fatimaharan
Step inside your story
Create a concertina book and star in your own story, with top tips from brilliant authors and illustrators including Zanib Mian, S F Said, Jane Porter and Allen Fatimaharan.
Image © Salvatore Rubbino
What makes a hero super?
Pow! Whaam! Swoosh! Kazoom! Make your own superhero, inspired by your favourite books or the real-life heroes you know. Share your creations on Twitter, tagging @BL_Learning
Image © Viviane Schwarz
Printable activity pack: Once Upon an Adventure
Print out our activity pack and embark on an adventure with Little Red Riding Hood, the cheeky Wolf and your own wild imagination!
Make a lift-the-flap card
What’s inside your treasure chest? Who’s behind the door? Learn how to make a simple pop-up card. Lift the flap and something else is revealed!
Make a miniature book
What’s the smallest book you can think of? Who would you read it with? Explore some of the amazing mini books from our collection and learn how to make your own!
Viviane Schwarz: How to develop a character
Create your own crazy characters with tips from writer and illustrator, Viviane Schwarz.
Viviane Schwarz: Find out more about your character
You know what your characters look like. Now find out who they are. Do they have a favourite food? What are they afraid of?
Viviane Schwarz: making a story
Once you’ve got your characters, get started on your story.
Image © Woodrow Phoenix
Create your own comic strips
Follow Woodrow Phoenix’s brilliant guide to making your very own comic strips.
Image © Axel Scheffler
Axel Scheffler: How to draw a Gruffalo
Discover the secret of how to draw your own Gruffalo. We’ll give you a hint… start with the horns!
Poetry prompts
Get inspired by 10 brilliant ideas from poet Joseph Coelho. Will you write a rhyme about a cheese sandwich or a wacky limerick?
We’d love to see your creations.
Share them with us on Twitter, using the hashtag #DiscoveringChildrensBooks and tag BL_Learning. Or email childrens.booksbl.uk.
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