Reading Children's Festival

Reading Children's Festival This year's festival celebrates its 37th anniversary with 3 weeks of fun taking place across the town

This year's festival celebrates it's 33rd anniversary with three fun packed weeks of events and activities for children all over the borough. The festival takes place from Saturday 14 May- Sunday 5 June 2022. From sport and circus workshops to fun days with art and craft sessions, take your pick from the many exciting events across Reading.

Central Library has opened its doors to Reading residents at the Civic Centre today! 📖Pop into the children’s section, w...
18/06/2026

Central Library has opened its doors to Reading residents at the Civic Centre today! 📖
Pop into the children’s section, where you’ll find a special bookmark project display by Jelly 🔖

These bookmarks were created by children at this year's Children's Festival and showcase some of their all-time favourite books.
Each bookmark shares their favourite book, why they loved it, and features artwork inspired by the story.

Come along, explore the new library, browse the bookmarks, and discover a book that could become your new favourite too!

That's a wrap on Reading Children's Festival 2026!A big thank you to all the event organisers for creating such a wonder...
01/06/2026

That's a wrap on Reading Children's Festival 2026!

A big thank you to all the event organisers for creating such a wonderful mix of activities over the past three weeks!

If you attended any of the Children's Festival 2026 events, we’d love to hear from you. Share your favourite moments or feedback in the comments below ⬇️

29/05/2026

“I got my first two-wheeled scooter…. for my fourth birthday”

“It’s lovely to get them out… I just don’t want them sat inside all day on screens”

Take a look at our skatepark in South Reading at John Rabson Recreation ground, why not pop along this weekend or try a new play area you haven’t visited before.

🌟 Reading Children's Festival 2026 🌟Join your child in developing outdoor skills in The Museum of English Rural Life gar...
28/05/2026

🌟 Reading Children's Festival 2026 🌟

Join your child in developing outdoor skills in The Museum of English Rural Life garden, with activities themed around the museum collections and the changing seasons. Activities vary each session but include shelter building, using tools, bushcraft, and snack preparation.

📆 Sunday 31 May, 10am – 12noon
📍 Museum of English Rural Life, 6 Redlands Road, RG1 5EX
ℹ️ Suitable for children 5+. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Free event, but booking is required at the link in the comments ⬇️

🌟 Reading Children's Festival 2026 🌟ICHI, from Nagoya in Japan, takes the notion of a one-man band to new limits, combin...
28/05/2026

🌟 Reading Children's Festival 2026 🌟

ICHI, from Nagoya in Japan, takes the notion of a one-man band to new limits, combining his quirky handmade instrument inventions (Stilt-bass, Kalilaphone, Balloon-pipes, Hatbox-pedal drum, Tapumpet, Percussion-shoes & Hattrick hat) with steel-drum, ping-pong balls, typewriter, toys & everyday objects all in the space of one short set. Somehow there’s an ancient, ritualistic feel to his performances - he’s like the misplaced leader of a tribe. To see ICHI live is to witness something so playful and unusual you know that you’re experiencing something entirely new.

It’s fun, it’s danceable, it’s exciting.

📆 Saturday 30 May, 2pm
📍 South Street Arts Centre, 21 South Street, RG1 4QU
🎟️ All ages welcome. Tickets £15 (£12.50 Members), book at the link in the comments ⬇️

🌟 Reading Children's Festival 2026 🌟Join Cianna's Smile Sickle Cell Awareness Charity for a fun-filled Little Chefs cook...
26/05/2026

🌟 Reading Children's Festival 2026 🌟

Join Cianna's Smile Sickle Cell Awareness Charity for a fun-filled Little Chefs cooking class!
Children will enjoy a hands-on experience making delicious ackee & saltfish and sweet coconut drops, while learning new skills, building confidence, and having lots of fun in a supportive environment.

📆 Saturday 30 May, 11am – 2.30pm
📍 Cianna’s Smile, 10 Eaton Place, RG1 7LP

£10 plus booking fee, book at the link in the comments ⬇️

🌟 Reading Children's Festival 2026 🌟Are you looking for a new hobby to try? Why not learn the basics of fencing at intro...
26/05/2026

🌟 Reading Children's Festival 2026 🌟

Are you looking for a new hobby to try? Why not learn the basics of fencing at introductory workshops run by VF Fencing Club. The sessions are suitable for ages 8-12.

📆 Friday 29 May, 10.30am, 1.30pm and 2.45pm
📍 Sports Hall, Highdown School, Surley Row, RG4 8LR

£2 per session, book at the link in the comments ⬇️

🌟 Reading Children's Festival 2026 🌟Meadway’s Mayors Challenge will give children and young people the chance to try out...
26/05/2026

🌟 Reading Children's Festival 2026 🌟

Meadway’s Mayors Challenge will give children and young people the chance to try out a variety of sporting challenges!
Join a variety of local clubs and the leisure centre, who will be hosting a mixture of sporting challenges. As children and young people take part, they’ll collect a sticker for each challenge they complete. Once participants have filled their sticker book, they’ll be rewarded with a certificate from the Mayor to mark their achievements.

📆 Thursday 28 May, 10am - 2pm
📍 Meadway Sports Centre, Conwy Cl, RG30 4BZ
ℹ️ Free event, no booking required.

26/05/2026

“You just play and it’s nice and calm” “And it’s fun!”

Hear more from our young residents and mum in our short video.

They visit the playground before school, and have it all to themselves... ‘it helps regulate everyone.'

22/05/2026

5,4,3,2,1 blast off!

Reading loves reading launches tomorrow Saturday 23 May with events and crafts across Reading Libraries

Help decorate a rocket at your local library on launch day, take part in half term crafts, enter our art competition to win a family ticket to Reading Rep's Christmas panto and of course sign up the whole family to Reading loves reading!

The mission for primary school children is to read 6 books over three visits to the library. All finishers will receive a certificate and small prize, and can enter into a branch prize draw to win one of 7 Lego sets. They can also enter our colouring competition to win a family ticket to Reading Rep's Christmas panto.

Book Bingo is back for teens and adults. Complete a line on your bingo card over 3 visits to the library to enter a prize draw for a chance to win vouchers.

Last year 1,863 children and 540 adults took part in Reading loves reading and we want to see this number rocket! Children can challenge parents, carers and even their teachers to read alongside them.

Each mission is free to join. Find out more from Battle Library Manager Terry in our video.

Address

Civic Offices, Bridge Street
Reading
RG12LU

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441189372771

Website

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