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The summer reading challenge includes activities taking place at all libraries during the summer holidays.

To follow is a summary of what's on, please check online for dates and locations at: manchester.gov.uk/summerreadingchallenge

What is the Summer Reading Challenge?

Our Summer Reading Challenge celebrates 100 years of the world's favourite storyteller, Roald Dahl, and we've put together a splendiferous programme of summer activities for you.

Visit your local library and ask for your free Summer Reading Challenge pack. As you read your books you'll receive collectible cards and goodies. You'll also be entered into our prize draws to win some fantastic prizes, including a £100 toy store voucher and family tickets to shows at The Lowry Theatre.

The Summer Reading Challenge is supported by a new reading campaign - Read Manchester. This is a new campaign to involve children, young people and families in reading for pleasure and for learning. Visit the Summer Reading Challenge website at bigfriendlyread.org.uk to find lots of great ideas for things to do and books to read.

Some fantastic free activities for you... for dates and locations look online: manchester.gov.uk/summerreadingchallenge

Wonderful Walk-in Story

Come and help us create a wonderful walk-in reading area, inspired by your favourite Roald Dahl stories. Add a dream to the BFG's dream jars, devise a potion for George's marvellous medicine, or invent fantabulous new sweets for Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. Ages 4 and above.

Scrumiddlyumptious Sweet Craft

Inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - create giant sweets based on the weird and wonderful creations from Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. se recycled materials to create Everlasting Gobstoppers, Snozzberries and Wonka Bars, or use your imagination to make your own gloriumptious sweet creations.  Ages 4 and above.

Puppet- Making

Come and create your favourite Roald Dahl - inspired animals and book characters as moveable puppets, such as Roly-Poly Birds, Muggle-Wump Monkeys and Humpy-Rumpy Hippopotamus.  Ages 4 and above.

Wise Owls

Are you brave enough to meet a feathered friend up close? Join us at one of our sessions and meet various owls and a hawk. You'll learn all about them, see a short flying display with the smaller owls, and even hold a bird on a gloved hand - if you dare!  Ages 5 and above.

Sublime Science

Visit us to see a Roald Dahl-inspired science show. We'll be making snozzcumber slime, whizzpopper juice air rockets and airzooka, and much more!  Ages 5 and above.

Big Friendly Character Masks

Make wearable Roald Dahl-inspired character masks! Add hair, beards, ears, teeth and noses to create your favourite character.  Ages 5 and above.

Marvellous Magic Show

Come and marvel at a Roald Dahl-inspired magic show. Be ready to try your hand at being a magician yourself and get involved with a variety of magic tricks.  Ages 4 and above

Make a stop-motion animation movie

A digital iPad activity - Stop-Motion Animation

Ever dreamed of making your own movies? Come and create a 3D plasticine model inspired by your favourite Roald Dahl character. Using stop-frame animation you can bring your model to life and create a short video clip. These sessions are always extremely popular and places are limited, so check with the listed library for booking details. Ages 8 and above. Younger children must be accompanied by an adult. Incredible Inventions Think weird, think wacky. Have a go at creating something beyond belief with this craft activity to stretch the imagination. Suitable for families with children aged 12 and under. Big Friendly Read Activity Visit your local library this summer to join in with a variety of fun, exciting craft activities.  Ages 4 and above. Beautiful Bugs on Tour from Manchester Museum See some creatures that appear in the story ‘James and the Giant Peach’, including ladybirds, centipedes and spiders. Create a nature mobile of your own to take away, and hear more about the Museum’s ‘I Spy Nature’ activities. Suitable for all ages. Making Music at Central Library Use iMacs to create musical scores inspired by Roald Dahl’s books and characters. You’ll be able to change the instrumentation of your selected scores and listen to your own finished version. Ages 6 and above. Saturday Spectaculars and Sunday Funday at Central Library Make it a family fun-day out at Central Library and join us for weekend family crafts and activities: Saturday 16 July, Saturday 20 August and Sunday 11 September. Suitable for families with children aged 12 and under.

All activities are free, with no advance booking required (unless otherwise stated). Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.