Be ready and set to read this winter as the Winter Mini Challenge comes to Buckinghamshire

Families with children across Buckinghamshire are being encouraged to take part in a free and fun reading challenge over the coming school holidays.

The Winter Mini Challenge is an online, bite-size 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!' with a fantastic theme of sports and games with the aim of keeping minds and bodies active. This theme continues for the Winter Mini Challenge.

The challenge starts on Friday 1 December 2023 and ends on Monday 19 February 2024. Buckinghamshire Libraries invite children over 4 years to join in the fun by taking up the challenge to read a minimum of three books during the 11-week period.

Clive Harriss, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure said: “We know how popular the Summer Reading Challenge is and so we are really pleased to offer the chance for children to take part in this winter version. This time of year can be busy for many families and to reflect that, the ask is to finish reading only three books during the time period.”

Clive added: “Reading is such an important activity for children and young people, providing huge benefits for their education and development. A book can open up your child’s imagination and curiosity, introducing new worlds and interests. Perhaps best of all, borrowing books from your local library is completely free, so it is accessible to everyone which is great news with continued cost of living pressures still impacting many of us.”

Taking part in the Winter Mini Challenge is simple.

1. Head over to wintermini.org.uk 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.

Keep up to date with the challenge on social media:

• #WinterMiniChallenge
• #ReadySetRead!
• @readingagency

View other free and low-cost activities for families over the school holidays.

If the cost-of-living pressures are affecting you, view our Cost of Living webpages.