Summer Reading Challenge: Swap Screen for Story Time

Swap Screen Time For Story Time

Why the Summer Reading Challenge is Just What Children Need

The summer holidays are a magical time - longer days, no school routines, and plenty of opportunities for play. But with that freedom often comes a silent challenge: how to keep children engaged, stimulated, and connected without defaulting to screen time.

That’s where the Summer Reading Challenge steps in.

Run by local libraries across the UK in partnership with The Reading Agency, the Summer Reading Challenge encourages children to read six books during the summer holidays, earning rewards and discovering the joy of stories along the way.

Why Story Time Matters

We know that reading sparks the imagination, builds language and vocabulary, and strengthens emotional development. But it does even more than that - it connects families, builds routine, and helps ease the transition back to nursery and school in September.

In a world where screens are so easy to reach for, reading offers something quieter and far more enriching: time to slow down, absorb language, and build real-life focus and empathy.

Swap Screen Time for Story Time

Through Unplugged Early Years, we encourage families to make small, sustainable changes that support children's wellbeing. Storytelling - whether it's a picture book, chapter book, or even a wordless story - offers connection, calm, and creativity.

Top tips to support the challenge:

📚 Let children choose their own books - even silly ones!

📖 Read together, or listen to audiobooks on car journeys.

🛋 Create a reading nook at home to make stories feel special.

🎉 Celebrate progress with stickers, drawings or even a mini ‘book party’ at the end.

Join the Challenge!

Pop into your local library to sign up. It’s completely free and a wonderful way to get into the rhythm of reading during the holidays. Many libraries also offer events, craft sessions, and story times to go alongside the challenge.

This year’s theme is “Story Garden”- where magical creatures, enchanting worlds, and the wonders of nature come to life. It’s the perfect opportunity to inspire young minds and give them a screen-free summer to remember.

Our Book Recommendations

So this summer, let’s swap screen time for story time and fill our children's minds with wonder, not Wi-Fi.

Find out more at summerreadingchallenge.org.uk

An easy way to swap screens for books and interact - for all ages.

How children can take part:

From 5th July, sign up for FREE in branch at your local library.

Read any six library books (or more!) before Saturday 6th September. All reading counts including listening to e-audiobooks, and parents or carers reading to younger ones.

After every two books, revisit your library, tell them something about the books to collect stickers.

Once they have read all six books and completed the challenge, children will receive a personalised certificate and a medal, whilst stocks last.

They will also be entered into a prize draw to win a ticket to a creative, interactive workshop with Sean Taylor, an award-winning author.

🧡 Learn more at www.unpluggedearlyyears.co.uk

📩 Follow us @unpluggedearlyyears

✍️ Take the pledge and join the movement.