Get reading this Winter by joining the Winter Mini Challenge!

It’s back! Spark a love of reading even in the most reluctant reader with the free online Winter Mini Challenge. Unlock rewards for reading and find fun activities on the dedicated children’s website.

The Winter Mini Challenge is an online, bitesize version of The Reading Agency’s annual Summer Reading Challenge. This summer, they celebrated 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.

Following the success of Story Garden, The Reading Agency is delighted to extend the theme into the Winter Mini Challenge. 

The challenge starts on 1 December 2025 and ends on 20 February 2026

Winter Mini Challenge 2025

The Winter Mini Challenge encourages children to keep up their reading habits over the winter holidays, with a free-to-access website featuring rewards and incentives for reading and reviewing books.

Taking part in the Winter Mini Challenge is simple.

1. Head over to the Winter Mini Challenge website and sign up to the challenge.
2. Read at least three books of your choice between 1 December 2025 and 20 February 2026 and add them to your online profile.
3. When you've reached your online reading goal, it will unlock a limited-edition virtual badge and a special Winter Mini Challenge certificate for you to print off and keep.

You'll find loads of other great stuff on the website too, including games, book reviews, reading activities and content from the best children’s authors and illustrators around. For parents, there's a Home Zone and a Library Zone on the website with more information and top tips.

There's also a Reading Challenge Facebook page so that parents can keep up to date with news and opportunities. Look out for special competitions for book bundles and much more!

The Reading Agency

The Reading Agency works every day towards a world where everyone is reading their way to a better life. They do mean everyone - from toddlers to children to young adults, prisoners and older people - irrespective of age or economic background. They believe that reading can tackle life's big challenges, from social mobility to mental health, and they're determined that no one is left behind as they strive towards realising their vision.