Create a different nature-themed coding project with Scratch each week at Luton Central Library's Summer Code Club!

Central Library Summer Code Club

Get ready for a wild adventure this summer with The Wildlife Trust! As part of the Summer Reading Challenge, we’re bringing the Story Garden theme to life with exciting nature-inspired tales featuring bees, bugs, and butterflies. After the story, children can get creative with a fun craft activity to take home. It’s the perfect mix of storytelling, hands-on fun, and a chance to discover the wonders of nature – all in a fun, family-friendly setting!

Stories and Craft with the Wildlife Trust

9:30 - 13:30
Ages 4 - 8 years old

Family HAF Camp – Library Summer HAF Camp is a family-friendly experience where parents and carers stay and take part alongside their children for the full session. Linked to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge: Story Garden, each session is packed with creative arts & crafts, active and drama games, storytelling, and reading adventures.

✨ Plus, enjoy a fantastic line-up of special guest activities:

30th July – Magic Show by Inflatable Theatre: A high-energy, interactive show full of surprises and silliness.

7th August – Textiles Workshop: Explore colour, texture and creativity with fabric-based art.

11th August – Taleshakers: Move, dance and play with music, rhythm, and imaginative drama games.

14th August – Young Growers Club: Get hands-on with nature and plants in this garden-themed session.

18th August – Petsman: Meet friendly animals and learn how to care for them in this fun and gentle workshop.

Click here to book: https://activeluton.coordinate.cloud/project/68889

Energise Luton Holiday Camps For Children not on Free School Meals (payment required)

9:30 - 13:30
Ages 4 - 8 years old

Family HAF Camp – Library Summer HAF Camp is a family-friendly experience where parents and carers stay and take part alongside their children for the full session. Linked to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge: Story Garden, each session is packed with creative arts & crafts, active and drama games, storytelling, and reading adventures. 

✨ Plus, enjoy a fantastic line-up of special guest activities:

30th July – Magic Show by Inflatable Theatre: A high-energy, interactive show full of surprises and silliness.

7th August – Textiles Workshop: Explore colour, texture and creativity with fabric-based art.

11th August – Taleshakers: Move, dance and play with music, rhythm, and imaginative drama games.

14th August – Young Growers Club: Get hands-on with nature and plants in this garden-themed session.

18th August – Petsman: Meet friendly animals and learn how to care for them in this fun and gentle workshop.

Click here to book: https://activeluton.coordinate.cloud/project/68791

Energise Luton Holiday Camps Free for Children on Free School Meals

Book online: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-enchanted-story-writing-workshop-tickets-1496809660989?aff=ebdsoporgprofile">EventBrite</a> or by phone: 01582 797600

Join us for a fun, 1 hour story-writing adventure where children will plant the seeds of a great idea and grow a magical story in an enchanted world called the “The Hidden Glade”.

Explore Learning are proud to sponsor The Summer Reading Challenge Library Zone for 2025. We are delighted to be able to offer this FREE workshop centred around this year's Summer Reading Challenge theme, ‘Story Garden’.

This story-writing workshop has been designed by Explore Learning’s expert curriculum developers for children aged 5-11. Explore Learning tutors will coach children to develop their story-writing skills through a series of challenges and puzzles. By the end of the hour they will have created a magical story for a young book bee who needed their own unique story.

Children will undertake a journey into an enchanted world called ‘The Hidden Glade’ with a young book bee who hasn’t got a story yet. This workshop is suitable for all 5-11 year olds whether writing comes easily or not. Our team will coach your child to use their imagination, overcome challenges and get excited about story-telling! Register today.

Summer Reading Challenge - Enchanted Story-writing Workshop (Marsh Farm Library)

Meet Camilla Chester, award-winning, local author of ‘Call Me Lion’ and ‘Project Pony’ . Take part in story-building activities and create your own poem or short story. Ages 7-13

Location: First Floor, Children's Area
The cost of this event is £5.30 per child. Pay at the first floor enquiry desk on the day

There will be an opportunity to buy Camilla’s books and have them signed.

Story Building with Camilla Chester

Book online: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-enchanted-story-writing-workshop-tickets-1496838356819?aff=ebdsoporgprofile">EventBrite</a> or by phone: 01582 797600

Join us for a fun, 1 hour story-writing adventure where children will plant the seeds of a great idea and grow a magical story in an enchanted world called the “The Hidden Glade”.

Explore Learning are proud to sponsor The Summer Reading Challenge Library Zone for 2025. We are delighted to be able to offer this FREE workshop centred around this year's Summer Reading Challenge theme, ‘Story Garden’.

This story-writing workshop has been designed by Explore Learning’s expert curriculum developers for children aged 5-11. Explore Learning tutors will coach children to develop their story-writing skills through a series of challenges and puzzles. By the end of the hour they will have created a magical story for a young book bee who needed their own unique story.

Children will undertake a journey into an enchanted world called ‘The Hidden Glade’ with a young book bee who hasn’t got a story yet. This workshop is suitable for all 5-11 year olds whether writing comes easily or not. Our team will coach your child to use their imagination, overcome challenges and get excited about story-telling! Register today.

Summer Reading Challenge - Enchanted Story-writing Workshop (Central Library)

Create nature-themed coding projects with Scratch at Leagrave Library's Summer Code Club!

Leagrave Library Summer Code Club

Create nature-themed coding projects with Scratch at Stopsley Library's Summer Code Club!

Stopsley Library Summer Code Club

Step into the Story Garden and join the circus fun! Come and learn to juggle, spin, balance and play with Splats Circus – where you become the star of the show! From little acrobats to big imaginations, there’s something fun for everyone aged 3 to 11. Let’s grow stories, spark wonder and have the best story garden circus adventure ever!

Circus Workshop

Step into the Story Garden and join the circus fun! Come and learn to juggle, spin, balance and play with Splats Circus – where you become the star of the show! From little acrobats to big imaginations, there’s something fun for children aged 3 to 11. Let’s grow stories, spark wonder and have the best story garden circus adventure ever!

Create nature-themed coding projects with Scratch at Lewsey Library's Summer Code Club!

Lewsey Library Summer Code Club

Join us for our latest Pet Loss Café series — a new way for the community to connect and engage.  This is a welcoming, supportive space where you can chat about your cherished pets, connect with others who truly understand your loss, and find comfort in a compassionate community. Whether you’re coping with a recent loss or simply wish to celebrate the life of your furry friend, this gathering is for all who hold their animal companions close to their hearts. Feel free to bring along a photo. Grab a cup of your favourite drink, get comfortable, and let’s come together to share the special bond we have with our pets.

Pet Loss Cafe

Write short stories based on what you find inside our Memory Boxes.  Work individually or in small groups to share amongst members.  Stories can be based on life events or fiction.
The cost of this event is £3.75.

Life Stories

Join us for a captivating journey through the history of public libraries in Luton, from their humble beginnings in the 19th century to their role as vibrant community hubs today. Discover how Luton's libraries have evolved to meet the changing needs of its residents and learn about the people that shaped the town’s commitment to public learning and cultural enrichment. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a library lover, or simply curious about Luton’s heritage, this talk promises insights, stories, and a deeper appreciation for one of the town’s most enduring institutions.

The History of Luton's Libraries

New Cross Community Library Service

Pepys Community Library Service

Leytonstone Library

Central Library

Idea Store Chrisp Street

Idea Store Watney Market

Lea Bridge Library

Purley Library

Sanderstead Library

Selsdon Library

Shirley Library

South Norwood Library

Thornton Heath Library

Clacton Library

Coggeshall Library

Colchester Library

Corringham Library

Hornchurch Library

Gidea Park Library

Harold Wood Library

Rainham Library

Romford Central Library

South Hornchurch Library

Upminster Library

Ealing Road Library

Kilburn Library

Acton Town Hall library

Ealing Central Library

Greenford Library

Hanwell Community library

Jubilee Gardens library

Northfields library

Northolt library

Pitshanger library

Southall library 

Northolt Leisure Centre library

West Ealing Community library

Wood End library

Chigwell Library

Danbury Library

Debden Library

Epping Library

Earls Colne Library

Fryerns Library

Custom House Library

East Ham Library 

The Gate Library

Green Street Library

Manor Park Library

North Woolwich Library

Plaistow Library

Stratford Library

Sydenham Community Library 

Avonmore Library

Fulham Library

Hammersmith Library

Shepherds Bush Library

Tilbury Library

Springfield Library

Tiptree Library

Thaxted Library

Tye Green Library

Vange Library

Wickham Bishops Library

Witham Library

Wivenhoe Library

Wickford Library

Great Wakering Library

Bullsmoor Library

Writtle Library

Walton Library

Hockley Library

Holland Library

Halstead Library

Harwich Library

Ingatestone Library

Kelvedon Library

Laindon Library

Loughton Library

Maldon Library

Manningtree Library

North Melbourne Library

Beckton Globe Library

Canning Town Library

Marks Gate Community & Family Hub

Catford Library

Crofton Park Community Library

Wood Street Library

Waltham Forest Archives and Local Studies Library

Barking Learning Centre Community Hub

Deptford Lounge

Downham Library

North Chingford Library

Walthamstow Library

Hale End Library

Marsh Farm Library

Grove Park Community Library Service

South Woodham Ferrers Library

Lewsey Library

Bury Park Library

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Energise Luton Holiday Camps

For Children not on Free School Meals (payment required)

Summer Reading Challenge 2025: Story Garden

Friday 15th August, 10am – 11.15am, Children’s Library, Central Library

Meet the Author Camilla Chester

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<h1 style="line-height: 1.5;">Summer Reading Challenge 2025: Story Garden</h1>
&nbsp;
Throughout the summer, children joining the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge 'Story Garden' can discover new books, participate in free activities at their local library, and explore the link between reading and the great outdoors, where nature and imagination come together.
&nbsp;
Recent research shows that children&rsquo;s enjoyment and engagement in reading is in decline, despite research from the OECD showing that reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child's future success &ndash; more important than either parents' educational background or household income!
&nbsp;
The Summer Reading Challenge supports children to get excited about reading throughout the summer, helping to maintain their reading at a time when engagement can often dip. There's also a host of FREE and fun activities taking place across libraires to get involved in each week.
&nbsp;
How do I take part?&nbsp; Signing up is easy! Simply visit your local Luton Library. Or, join online via <a href="www.summerreadingchallenge.co.uk">www.summerreadingchallenge.co.uk</a>
&nbsp;
What do I have to do? Simply read 6 books of choice before 6th September. Each time you finish a book, visit the library. You will collect a special stickers and rewards along the way!
&nbsp;
Swim for only &pound;2.50 This summer, anyone who joins the challenge, can also swim at their local Active Luton swimming pool to enjoy a Fun Time Splash session for only &pound;2.50 per child! Ts&amp;Cs apply. <a href="https://www.activeluton.co.uk/terms-conditions">Find out more</a>.
&nbsp;
You can also get involved in a host of fun activities each week at your local library.&nbsp;
Whats happening at your local library&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/185687060@N03/54637742717/in/dateposted-public/" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54637742717_4aa5ae4b03_b.jpg" alt="SRC Story Garden Timetable" width="1024" height="135" /></a>
Stories and Craft with the Wildlife Trust Join us at Lewsey Library for a wild and wonderful storytelling adventure in partnership with the Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs and Northants! Listen to nature-inspired tales full of bees, bugs and butterflies, then enjoy a creative craft session to make something special to take home. It&rsquo;s part of this year&rsquo;s Summer Reading Challenge &ndash; where stories bloom and imaginations grow. &pound;2.50 per child (pay on the day) (children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult). <a href="https://www.lutonlibraries.co.uk/events">Book your place now</a> &nbsp; Inflatable Theatre Magic Show Prepare to be amazed! The Inflatable Theatre Magic Show is a spellbinding mix of laughter, wonder and imagination &ndash; perfect for families taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge. Expect surprises, giggles, and magical storytelling, all inspired by the Story Garden theme. Tickets &pound;3.75 per person (children &amp; adults) &ndash; pay at the enquiry desk (children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult). <a href="https://www.lutonlibraries.co.uk/events">Join the fun &ndash; book here</a> &nbsp; Taleshakers &ndash; Next Generation Youth Theatre Let imaginations bloom with Taleshakers, a vibrant mix of storytelling, music, games and movement! Designed for little ones aged 0&ndash;6, each joyful session supports creativity, early language and confidence &ndash; all through play and rhythm. &pound;5.30 per child &ndash; pay at the enquiry desk on the day (children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult).&nbsp; <a href="https://www.lutonlibraries.co.uk/events">Reserve your spot today</a> &nbsp; Circus Workshop with Splats Circus Roll up, roll up! The Story Garden comes alive with our exciting Circus Workshop Learn to juggle, balance, spin and more with Splats Circus &ndash; perfect for ages 3 to 11. Whether you&rsquo;re a tiny acrobat or just love to clown around, this hands-on session is packed with fun! &pound;5.30 per child &ndash; pay at the enquiry desk on the day (children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult). <a href="https://www.lutonlibraries.co.uk/events">Secure your place now</a>

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