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  • summer-reading-challenges
  1. Reading resources
  2. Fun reading activities

Reading challenges

The holidays - when children are seeking out fun things to do - are the perfect opportunity for children, especially those who wouldn't be thinking about picking up a book, to see how reading can be a brilliant way to find out how to do something new and exciting.

We asked some of our favourite authors to help us come up with some wonderful activities to keep children occupied over the holidays which you can find below.

This summer, Joshua Seigal, Naomi Jones, Andy Seed, Jamie Smart, Dapo Adeola and Tọlá Okogwu have all set a Coram Beanstalk super summer challenge related to their books.

Can you perform a poem? Could you build a tower? How about going on a rainbow scavenger hunt or making your own comic or graphic novel? Is there something you feel strongly about that you could make a poster to highlight or write a speech about? Or maybe you have a secret superpower? Take a look at the challenges below and fill your summer with our six different activity challenges!

Or check out some of our previous holiday reading challenges from Matt Oldfield, the Really Big Pants Theatre Company, Abi Elphinstone, Joshua Seigal, Lisa Stickley and our friends at Whizz Pop Bang magazine!

Even if it's rainy or you're stuck indoors, we've got some super story dice illustrated by Nick Sharratt to print off, colour-in and make - and you'll find a film below which will help you decide how to play with them for endless story-telling fun!

Or, if you're still looking for things to do, download our Summer Holiday Book Bingo sheet here! 

Phew - the holidays are going to busy!

NB: All challenges should be done with appropriate adult supervision.

Perform a poem

Perform a poem

Poet Joshua Seigal introduces the 'Perform a poem' challenge and talks about his collection of poems, 'Welcome to my crazy life'. Joshua has lots of tips for writing and performing poems so why not take a look here... Read more

Published: 12th July, 2023

Author: Kate- Loynes

Build a tower

Build a tower

Author Naomi Jones introduces our 'Build a tower' challenge and reads from her, and James Jones' book, 'One more try'. Find how to have the best chance of building a great tower here... Read more

Published: 11th July, 2023

Author: Kate- Loynes

Go on a rainbow scavenger hunt

Go on a rainbow scavenger hunt

Author Andy Seed introduces our 'Go on a rainbow scavenger hunt' challenge and talks about his 'Nutty nature facts and jokes'. He even shares a few jokes and gives some helpful hints for your scavenger hunt. Read more

Published: 10th July, 2023

Updated: 13th July, 2023

Author: Kate- Loynes

Make a graphic novel

Make a graphic novel

Author and illustrator Jamie Smart introduces our 'Make a graphic novel' challenge and gives some great advice on making your own graphic novels and comics… Read more

Published: 9th July, 2023

Updated: 17th July, 2023

Author: Kate- Loynes

Speak up and make a difference

Speak up and make a difference

Author and illustrator Dapo Adeola introduces our Coram Beanstalk super summer challenge, 'Speak up and make a difference' and talks about his and Nathan Bryon's book 'Speak Up!'. He even gives some great tips to help make yourself heard... Read more

Published: 8th July, 2023

Updated: 13th July, 2023

Author: Kate- Loynes

Find your superpower

Find your superpower

Author Tọlá Okogwu introduces our 'Find your own superpower' challenge and reads from 'Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun'. Can you find your own superpower? Read more

Published: 7th July, 2023

Updated: 13th July, 2023

Author: Kate- Loynes

Play a new game or sport

Play a new game or sport

Read more

Published: 21st June, 2021

Updated: 5th July, 2021

Author: Kate- Loynes

Put on a performance

Put on a performance

Read more

Published: 21st June, 2021

Author: Kate- Loynes

Investigating nature

Investigating nature

Read more

Published: 20th June, 2021

Updated: 6th July, 2021

Author: Kate- Loynes

Make someone laugh

Make someone laugh

Read more

Published: 20th June, 2021

Updated: 21st June, 2021

Author: Kate- Loynes

Make something new

Make something new

Read more

Published: 19th June, 2021

Updated: 6th July, 2021

Author: Kate- Loynes

Do an experiment or fix something

Do an experiment or fix something

Read more

Published: 18th June, 2021

Updated: 6th July, 2021

Author: Kate- Loynes

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