Children’s reading can “dip” during the summer holidays. The Reading Agency’s annual Summer Reading Challenge helps by getting over 700,000 children regularly into libraries over the summer. In Milton Keynes we had nearly 3,000 children join the challenge in 2025 to maintain their reading skills and confidence during the summer break. 

Because everything changes when we read.

We want to encourage as many children as possible to read or have help reading six library books over the summer holidays to complete the challenge.

Last summer we were excited to introduce the Summer Reading Challenge 2025, Story Garden - a celebration adventures in nature and the great outdoors – inspiring children to find new books to fire their imagination and explore the magical connection between storytelling and nature

The challenge was developed in partnership with the Reading Agency and was designed to showcase how reading can be engaging and lead to all kinds of creativity. Along the way there were stickers and treats to collect and when the challenge was completed, the children received a certificate and a medal. There was also a dedicated website with online activities and fun for everyone.

The Summer Reading Challenge is FREE to join and simple to sign up for at any of the Milton Keynes Libraries during staffed hours. The challenge begins in July each year and ends in early September.

With thousands of great books waiting to be read at the local library there is no excuse for boredom during the long summer break.