Get set for a host of exciting free and low-cost activities across the Borough this Summer half-term!
The fun in the sun continues with Reading Children’s Festival, running until Sunday 4 June. From sports and music workshops to fun days with art and craft sessions, kayaking taster sessions to family discos take your pick from the many exciting events taking place at venues across Reading. Take a look at the 2023 Children’s Festival programme: https://issuu.com/readingcouncil/docs/rbc_childrens_festival_a5_2023_final_brochure
Join Reading Museum to celebrate stories of the natural world that surrounds us with a week of activities as part of the Our Green Stories campaign.
Drop-in throughout the holidays at the Museum and enjoy a range of free, nature-themed crafts and papercraft inspired by our Abstract Art show.
Be amazed by our planet Earth and the solar system as you search throughout the Museum to unravel the secret word in the Big Blue Earth Trail. When you have completed your trail, go and collect your prize! Even our youngest visitors can enjoy this trail. Families, £1 per trail.
For full details of half-term activities at Reading Museum, visit: www.readingmuseum.org.uk/holiday-fun-reading-museum.
For young visitors with SEND (Special Educational Needs or Disabilities), the free Museums, My Way sessions will return to Reading Museum every Saturday from 1 July 2023. Developed with Autism Berkshire, sessions provide a safe environment to explore the museum at quiet times, with sensory backpacks and ear defenders, break-out rooms, and reduced gallery noise. More information is available at: https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/museums-my-way-0
Following the May half-term, Gaia, world-famous Earth artwork created from NASA imagery, comes to Reading Town Hall from 10-18 June. See artist Luke Jerram’s famous installation Gaia as part of Reading Climate Festival 2023. With surround sound composition by BAFTA award-winning composer, Dan Jones.
Children under 14 go free when accompanied by a paying adult. Currently good availability on weekdays, booking is essential at: https://whatsonreading.com/gaia.
The crafting fun continues with Reading Libraries. Try your hand at some mixed crafts down at Tilehurst Library, Tuesday 30 May, 10:30am – 11:30am, £1. Suitable for primary school-aged children with their adult.
At Palmer Park Library, see what the skies have in store for you at and make a paper plate weather forecaster. Tuesday 30 May, 1pm – 4pm, £1. Open to all ages with their adult.
Head over to Caversham Library and make it snappy! Join the Crocodile Craft session, Thursday 1 June, 2pm – 3:30pm, £1. Suitable for primary school-aged children, accompanied by an adult.
Whitley Library is celebrating World Dinosaur Day with a roarsome host of Dino-themed activities! Thursday 1 June, 1pm – 3:30pm, £1. Suitable for primary school-aged children, accompanied by an adult.
For a full list of what’s on at Reading Libraries over half-term: https://whatsonreading.com/venues/reading-libraries/whats-on-events
For families looking to get out and about, there are many beautiful parks and gardens in Reading with play areas and space to play games: https://www.reading.gov.uk/leisure/outdoors/parks-outdoor-facilities-open-spaces/. The new Ranger Station at Prospect Park now offers an accessible 9-hole mini-golf and low ropes activity course for children under 7: www.reading.gov.uk/leisure/active-reading/
The Reading Family Information Service (FIS) has created a dedicated page for Activities in Reading during May Half Term 2023 - including SEND Local Offer Short Breaks: https://servicesguide.reading.gov.uk/kb5/reading/directory/service.page?id=W8ne3yKyjSE The page will be updated regularly as more information comes through.
General Holiday Activity information can be found at https://servicesguide.reading.gov.uk/kb5/reading/directory/results.page?familychannel=8-10
For parent carers who need information on childcare, holiday clubs, childminders etc. for the school holiday, visit: https://servicesguide.reading.gov.uk/kb5/reading/directory/family.page?familychannel=1
Our children’s centres, operated by Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC), will be running a fun-packed programme of activities throughout the half-term week. Sessions include Mini Athletics, Messy Play, Diddi Dance and Story and Song. Find full details at: https://brighterfuturesforchildren.org/for-parents-carers/under-5/childrens-centres/.
BFfC’s Youth Team will be out and about providing fun, outdoor activities throughout the week. They will be at: Prospect Park, 30 May; Cintra Park, 31 May; Courage Park, 1 June and Rabson’s Recreation Ground, 2 June – all between 2 - 4.30pm. No need to book, just turn up. Visit: https://brighterfuturesforchildren.org/young-peoples-zone/youth-service/ for details.