The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge 2026 Read to the Beat is now on! This year’s theme invites children to explore the link between stories and songs, and how reading and music spark imagination and creativity. Children across the borough, aged 4+, are invited to visit their local Croydon library to sign up and complete the Challenge by reading six books. All children who complete the challenge will receive a medal, certificate and are entered into our fantastic prize draw which includes tickets to Godstone Farm, climbing lessons at CroyWall, vouchers for Oxygen Activeplay and much much more!  

To book a free place for the events below, please visit the links below each one or contact Croydon Central Library: 020 7884 5140    

Pokemon Summer Club
Tuesdays 4th, 11th, 18th, 25^th August (Ages 6-14)
Calling all Pokemon fans! Borrow any available Pokemon books with your library card, play or swap your trading cards with other collectors, or choose any of our activity sheets like origami or colouring.
Pokemon Summer Club | Croydon Libraries

Lego Club
Fridays 7th, 14th, 21^st & 28th August (Ages 5-11)
Are you a Lego fan? Come along to our Lego Club sessions at Central Library.
Use your imagination & join us for a fun filled brilliant building afternoon!
Lego Club | Croydon Libraries

The Secret garden with Cat and Hutch
Friday 7th August @ 3.30 – 4.30pm (Ages 7+)
After having lived an indulgent life in India, spoiled Mary Lennox finds herself orphaned and sent to live with her uncle in the Yorkshire countryside. Stuck in the middle of nowhere, she feels that she will be lonely forever. That is until a friendly robin helps her to find a door to a hidden garden, where she discovers a place more magical than she could have ever imagined. Join Cat & Hutch for an interactive storytelling session, using puppetry, music and song. Inspired by this classic tale. Based on the children’s classic book by Frances Hodgen Burnett.
The Secret Garden with Cat and Hutch | Croydon Libraries

Pop-Up Podcast Studio
Monday 10th August @ 11 – 12.30pm (Ages 4-11)
Come along to Croydon Central Library and take part in our pop-up podcast studio – a fun, hands-on opportunity to experience podcast recording! Whatever you like to read, Go All In and share your favourite stories on our Summer Reading Challenge podcast!
Pop-up podcast studio | Croydon Libraries
Drop in – No booking required

Make your own Musical Shakers!
Thursday 20th August @ 3-4pm (Ages 5-11)
Shake along with us at Central for our ‘Read to the Beat’ inspired musical workshop, where we will be designing and creating our very own shakers.
Make your own musical shakers! | Croydon Libraries

Tambourine Craft Workshop                                                                                                
Monday 24th August @ 3-4pm (Ages 5-11)
Get creative and make some noise! Join us for a fun ‘Read to the beat’ music themed craft session where we will be making tambourines.
Tambourine craft workshop | Croydon Libraries

Rap and Spoken Word Workshop
Thursday 27th August @ 3-4pm (Ages 5+)
Are you the next Stormzy or Nadia Rose? Write and perform at our ‘Read to the Beat’ inspired workshop. Use your imagination and have fun!                                
Rap & Spoken Word workshop | Croydon Libraries