Be ready and set to read this Winter!

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 teamed up with the Youth Sport Trust and public libraries to bring you Ready, Set, Read! – a Summer Reading Challenge that empowered hundreds of thousands of young people to read and play, keeping minds and bodies active over the summer break.

Following the success of Ready, Set, Read!, The Reading Agency is delighted to extend the theme into the Winter Mini Challenge. With the holidays approaching, now is the time to encourage families to discover the joy of reading or to build on good reading habits!

The challenge starts on 1 December 2023 and ends on 19 February 2024

Winter Mini Challenge 2023

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 2023 and 19 February 2024 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.

In 2022-23, The Reading Agency reached over 2.17 million people across the UK, including more than 1.12 million children.