Reading Children's Festival brochure 2024

Saturday May 11 -

Sunday June 2

Venues across Reading

A Children’s Festival event will be happening near you – see inside.

CELEBRATING YEARS OF FUN!

This year’s festival celebrates its 35th anniversary with three fun packed weeks of events and activities for children all over the borough. The festival gets off to an exciting start with Forbury Fiesta on Saturday 11 May, where there will be something for everyone to get involved with on the day. Reading Children’s Festival promises to bring plenty of fun, mayhem and madness.

From sport and music workshops to fun days with art and craft sessions, take your pick from the many exciting events taking place at venues across Reading.

This year’s festival is celebrating everything sporty as we get ready for this year’s Olympics and Euros with a vibrant mix of sport themed events across the borough.

So, expect a sporty themed event!

We would also like to thank our headline sponsor ‘Station Hill’ in making this year’s event possible. The Station Hill team is delighted to sponsor the 2024 Reading Children’s Festival.

Station Hill – delivered by a joint venture between Lincoln and MGT– is the landmark, 2.5 million sq ft mixed-use development adjacent to Reading station, home to the Elizabeth Line. It seeks to achieve the highest accreditations for environmental standards. When complete, it will comprise:

Up to 1,300 homes, including nearly 600 homes for rent in two blocks (‘Ebb & Flow’) between Friar Street and Garrard Street, formerly the site of Friars Walk Shopping Centre. Ebb & Flow offers a range of apartments – from studios to 3-bedrooms –designed for comfort and style, as well as co-working spaces, social areas and rooftop terraces. Around 625,000 sq ft of best-in-class office space. This includes ONE Station Hill, a 275,000 sq ft office building.

Two acres of public realm and other spaces at ground level including a range of retail and leisure uses through an investment of around £50 million in social infrastructure, landscaping and improved pedestrian accessibility.

At a time when the centre of Reading continues to undergo a dramatic transformation as a place for people to live, work and play, we wish the Children’s Festival all the best for yet another successful year!

More information at: www.stationhill.co.uk

LAUNCH EVENT

Saturday 11 May, 11am – 4pm

Forbury Gardens

The Mayor of Reading opens the event

Kala the Arts - Shivoham South Asian dance performance

Anyone for Tennis

Jamie and James from Prior’s Court

Dance Reading + MCDC dance performance

Berkshire Music Trust –

Reading Senior Soundstage group Bengali Cultural Society

Reading Chinese School

Dance Reading + MCDC dance performance

Nepalese Dance from the Greater Reading Nepalese Community Association

Irish Dance performance from the O’Gara School of Irish Dance

The Hill Primary School

Workshop Marquee

Theatretrain Theatretrain

Kala the Arts (Workshop) Theatretrain

Live Stream of a collaborative performance between the Comfort School in Zimbabwe and a Reading school babyballet (Workshop)

Kala the Arts (Workshop)

Showing of the collaborative performance between the Comfort School in Zimbabwe and a Reading school

Forbury Bandstand

Drumming Workshop

Waterstones Storytime

Drumming Workshop

Apollo Gymnastics

Waterstones Storytime

Drumming Workshop babyballet (Workshop)

Forbury Hill

1pm & 2.20pm

Anyone for Tennis

We return to the Forbury Gardens for the launch of this year’s Reading Children’s Festival. To help celebrate the upcoming Olympic Games and Euro 24 we’ll be transforming the Forbury into an Olympic themed arena for the day! Come along and make a medal, hear a sporty tale or two and even meet our entertaining tennis stars!

Attractions on the day will include children’s entertainment and workshops, charity and information stalls, tombolas, refreshments, face painting, arts and crafts, balloon modelling and that’s not all.

Sports Zone sponsored by Tomato Energy

As part of this year’s event we will have a whole zone dedicated to sporty activities. Whether you’re the next Adam Peaty, Laura Kenney, Lionel Messi, Johnny Peacock or Mary Earps why not come on down and try something new.

Sport in Mind will be testing your skills with a range of badminton and archery taster sessions throughout the day. And why not try out your fencing skills with the VF Fencing Club who will be providing trials with plastic swords and masks. Hit various targets and learn how to be “on-guard”. BETTER will be at the event giving out information about their leisure facilities and running a competition to win a free swimming session by taking part in a timed obstacle course whilst wearing swimming hats and goggles! Have you got what it takes to win the course!

Why not visit Avanti Cycling CIC who will be offering free Dr Bike safety checks as well as a bicycle obstacle and mini cycle course on the day. There will also be a range of bikes to try out and test your cycling skills.

Fundamental Fitness and Athletics will be proving some fun games that showcase athletic club training and show you why having an active lifestyle is so important. They’ll also be running some mini competitions on the day so come on down and have a go!

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of advertisements or sponsorships contained in this publication, Reading Borough Council cannot accept liability for errors and/or omissions. We will not accept any responsibility for claims made by advertisers or sponsors and their inclusion in (name of publication) and this should not be taken as an endorsement by Reading Borough Council.

is proud to be sponsoring the Spor ts Zone at Forbury Fiesta 2024, opening the Children’s Festival event in their 35th anniversary year!

Tomato Energy is an energy provider with a difference… Looking after our planet, and in turn our communities, is one of the most important roles we all have. Together we can make a real impact and that is our vision at Tomato Energy.

We are dedicated to helping communities become more sustainable, environmentally friendly, and self-sufficient through wide scale installation of solar panels and energy storage.

We are looking forward to meeting our local Reading community at this fantastic event! Stop by our stand to talk about how we can support your household through reducing energy bills and exploring sustainable solutions! For more information, please visit our website www.tomato.energy/reading

Tomatopia is a new approach to energy supply, uniting local communities to enjoy the collective benefits of sustainable energy.

By signing up you’ll get solar panels and battery storage included with your electricity.

Prices start at £80p/m.

Wimbledon comes to Forbury Fiesta with a pristine court, dead posh umpire and highly strung player looking to take on all comers – Anyone For Tennis? This interactive show will take place in front of the stage at 11.30am and on Forbury Hill at 1pm and 2.20pm. Why not join in by standing in for the ball boys, physiotherapist and even Royalty.

The thrilling ‘one setter’ includes slow motion replays, headed line calls and live comic commentary. In the end, somehow … Andy Murray always wins and everyone goes home happy!

Going for Gold! Join Jelly for an Olympic-inspired workshop and make yourself a medal celebrating your hidden talents. If your superpower could be an Olympic sport, what would it be? Find us located in the Jelly marquee and drop in anytime during the festival day. You can also come and view the medals made last month by Year 4 at The Ridgeway Primary School as part of a Children’s Festival workshops programme.

Theatretrain in the main arena at 2.30pm performing some dance highlights from their 2024 show. This will be followed by a dance masterclass that everyone can join in! Theatretrain will also be running a musical theatre dance workshop from the workshop marquee throughout the day. Why not come along and try something new?

Kala The Arts will be performing a Shivoham South Asian dance on the main stage at 11.10am. Aspects of Shivoham will then form part of the workshops which are taking place in the workshop marquee at 12.30pm

and 3pm where the participants will be taught some dance warms, movements from Odissi a sculptural classical dance form to prerecorded music and learn to present some element of the story combined with favourite animals of Shiva dweller of earth and God of dance through stylised hand gestures called mudras.

Brighter Futures for Children’s Mental Health Support Team (MHST) will be at Forbury Fiesta to provide advice and promote the service. The MHST offers free NHS funded support to children and young people with emerging, mild or moderate mental health difficulties that may be affecting their everyday life. MHST takes referrals from schools, parents, professionals, or directly from children and young people. Parents can also attend coffee mornings within participating Reading schools, covering a range of topics with opportunities for questions and discussion. For more information on the MHST, visit

www.brighterfuturesforchildren.org/PC-MHST

Brighter Futures for Children IFA

for-profit fostering agency in Reading. Stop by to chat to the team at Forbury Fiesta where they’ll be joined by a Reading foster carer, giving you the opportunity to speak directly to an expert and ask any questions about fostering. For more information and to enquire about fostering with BFfC IFA in Reading, visit www.readingfostering.co.uk

We welcome Reading Chinese School to Forbury Fiesta for the first time. They will be performing the following pieces on the main stage at 2.10pm

1.‘Happy the year of Dragon’ (Dance)

2.‘The Seaweed Dance’

3.Music Ensemble

Reading Chinese School was founded by a group of volunteers in 1978. They are a non-political and non-religious registered charity open to all people regardless of race, colour, religion or political preference. The school’s mission is to educate children and people of all ages and backgrounds in Chinese language and culture. People of all levels (ages from 3 years old) are welcome to join their fantastic Chinese language and cultural learning journey.

Join in the fun at the ‘Larger than Life’ Circus workshop running throughout the day. Try your hand at juggling, unicycling, hand-held stilts, diabolos, spinning plates and even walking the tight-wire.

will be presenting two storytime sessions in the bandstand on the day. Come and join the Waterstones team at 11.40am and 2.30pm for a host of sport related stories.

James and Jamie from Prior’s Court will be entertaining us on the main stage at 12noon. Prior’s Court is an educational charity for autistic young people with the most complex support needs. These are young people who thrive and succeed in a learning setting with a high degree of specialist and tailored support. Based near Newbury in Berkshire, it works with up to 96 young people from age 5 to 25 in a residential school and a young adult provision.

Berkshire Music Trust will be performing on the main stage at 1pm. Their senior soundstage group (a contemporary live band) will be performing all of your favourites from a range of music genres and styles.

Limpopo Groove will be holding a drumming workshop in the bandstand at 11.15am, 12.30pm and 3.10pm – why not come along and have a go!

The Royal Comfort School will be performing in the workshop marquee via a live stream all the way from Zimbabwe! They aim to promote the Zimbabwean culture through music and would like to have many cross culture programs with different schools abroad. Come and listen to their performance at 2pm!

babyballet® Reading and Henley-on-Thames will be performing on the main stage at 1.45pm followed by two workshops taking place at 2.30pm in the workshop marquee and 3.30pm in the Forbury Bandstand.

babyballet® Reading and Henley-on-Thames are award winning dance classes for everyone 6m-6yrs! They make ballet FUN by teaching dance while learning through play in a safe, inclusive and non-competitive environment! babyballet® is more than just a dance class and their magical world and passionate teachers encourage every child to reach their own potential.

Classes currently run during term times Monday -Saturday at various times and locations across Reading and Henley. Find your nearest class at: OR contact Miss Hollie at or on 07821 281093

Why not find the Pop up Village whole host of children’s role play scenarios – these include a construction site, art studio and lots more.

Dance Reading presents In Clouds by MCDC performances will be taking place in front of the main stage at 12.30pm and 2.50pm. Join these unique dancers, fusing hiphop and contemporary dance, as they explore a new space of imagination and cloudgazing and invite you to experience the adventure.

ACRE/Alafia (Supporting BME families caring for children with additional needs) will be providing a free henna workshop for all ages and biscuit decoration workshop for the under 5’s.

Join Readipop and experience their XOX Project - build your own beats and baselines or make your voice sound like a robot with the XOX Project collection of hands-on synths, drum machines. Grown-ups can go back to the future and have a go on a vintage 1980s TR-606 drum machine and classic SH-101 synth.

Also joining in the fun on the day will be: Launchpad, Bengali Cultural Association, Me2Club, Girlguiding Reading Abbey Division, The Tilehurst Beekeepers, Explore Learning, Parents and Children

Together, Brighter Futures for Children, Dingley’s Promise, and a whole host more.

And as if that’s not enough, there will also be refreshments, children’s funfair rides, free face painting and free balloon modelling all day long.

www.reading.gov.uk/cfest24

Follow us

So why not pack up a picnic and make a day of it?

We look forward to seeing you there!

Saturday 11 May

8.30am - 12.30pm

The Abbey Junior School, Christchurch Road, RG2 7AR

THE ABBEY READING FESTIVAL OF SPORT 2024

The Abbey’s multi-award winning festival to inspire girls in sport. Try a new sport and train with GB gold medal gymnast Kelly Simm and Fulham FC Women’s Player, Ellie Olds.

The FREE sport taster sessions are for 3 - 9 year old children as follows:

3 - 4 year oldsGymnastics and Dance

5 - 6 year oldsGymnastics, Dance, Football and Hockey

7 - 9 year oldsGymnastics, Netball, Cricket and Football.

Entry is free but booking is essential. Scan the QR code. Family groups welcome

For further info

juniorschool@theabbey.co.uk

Saturday 11 May

10 – 11am

Jelly, 1st Floor, 115-116 Broad Street Mall, RG1 7QE

JELLY SATURDAY FAMILY ART CLUB - MAKE A HOBBY HORSE

Join us for our monthly Saturday Family Art Club. One Saturday morning a month we will make art inspired by different artists, themes or creative traditions.

In this session we will be making Hobby Horses in celebration of Reading Children’s Festival and this year’s Olympic games. Bring a sock and Jelly will provide the rest of the materials to make a hobby horse. After this workshop, gallop over to the Forbury Gardens to join the rest of the Jelly crew at the Forbury Fiesta to make yourself a winning medal.

These fun exploratory and experimental sessions are aimed at children between the ages of 7 - 11yrs (school year 3 to year 6).

Limited Space - Tickets from £7.50 to be booked here: https://HobbyHorseChildrensFestival.eventbrite.co.uk

Sunday 12 May 11.30am - 1.30pm

The Mills Archive Trust, Watlington House, RG1 4RJ

THE MILLS ARCHIVE X JELLYFAMILY ART WORKSHOPS

Tuesday 14 & 21 May 5.30 - 6.30pm

Highdown School - The Barn, Surley Row, RG4 8LR

INTRODUCTION TO FENCING BY VF FENCING CLUB

Free introduction to fencing class.

Learn the basics of fencing and all the fun it can bring to your life!

Join Jelly and The Mills Archive for a drop-in family art workshop!

Meet our current Artists in Residence at the Mills Archive, Jacky Oliver and Matt Hulse and learn about their ‘Reading emPOWERed’ project with the Jelly team. Participate in family friendly art workshops inspired by the artists’ exploration of the archives.

This is a fun family drop-in session aimed at ages 5 to 11 years. Younger and older children are welcome. Located in the Hall of Watlington House, four artists will introduce families to creative activities to explore and think about wind and water power.

FREE Drop in. Register here:

https://TheMillsArchiveandJelly.eventbrite.co.uk

Free activity, book at https://www.vffencingclub.co.uk/multi-activity-camps

Berkshire Music Trust, Reading Music Centre, 100 Stoneham Close, Cockney Hill, Tilehurst, RG30 4EZ

Saturday 11 May

2.30 – 4.30pm

COME AND PLAY!

GUITAR

Come and join in our Come and Play Guitar event at Reading Music Centre. We will play a variety of tunes together, some familiar some new. There will be different styles and genres to explore and learn more about playing the guitar in an ensemble.

Suitable for young guitarists who have learnt their first five notes up to Grade 2.

There will be a short performance to parents at 4.15pm.

Ticket price £5, Book your place at https://bookwhen.com/ berksmusictrust/e/ev-ssvz-20240511143000

Saturday 11 May

2.30 – 4.30pm

COME AND PLAY! BRASS

Exciting ensemble music for young brass players who would like to try playing in a band or are already part of a band and know how much fun it is to play with others!

Suitable for players who can play the first 5 notes up to Grade 2.

There will be a short performance to parents at 4.15pm.

Ticket price £5, Book your place at https://bookwhen.com/ berksmusictrust/e/ev-sljw-20240511143000

Thursday 16 May

UNDER THE SEA: MINI MAESTROS

Live interactive music session for under 5’s.

Led by Wendy who plays flute and piano!

Involves lots of action songs about sea creatures – get ready to swim like a fish and snap like a shark!

Ticket price £5, Book your place at https://bookwhen.com/ berksmusictrust/e/ev-skmx-20240516100000

Friday 31 May

2 – 3pm

ROCK VOX: CONTEMPORARY SINGING WORKSHOP

Jamie is an international vocal coach who has worked with recording artists, bands and TV celebrities in the UK and the US. His artists are on playlists across all the major streaming platforms, and he also coaches West End theatre stars. As a leading contemporary vocal coach and a member of the team at Berkshire Music Trust, Jamie will lead this 60 min workshop to help you understand how to sing safely, powerfully, and authentically as a rock / pop artist. Find out how your favourite acts hit their high notes!

Ticket price £5, Book your place at https://bookwhen.com/ berksmusictrust/e/ev-so5j-20240531140000

Our children’s centres are located across Reading and welcome all families to a wide range of fun free activities and services.

Popular sessions in our timetables include Song, Let’s Get Physical, Stay & Play, Bumps Diddi Dance along with many others.

There are four children’s centre hubs which are linked with other venues around the borough:

• East Reading – Sun Street Children’s Centre & Caversham Children’s Centre

• South Reading – Whitley Children’s Centre

• West Central Reading – Coley Children’s Centre, Coley Community Centre & Southcote Children’s Centre

• West Reading – Ranikhet Children’s Centre & Battle Library

Visit the Brighter Futures for Children website to find the full timetable of activities at your local children’s centre: www.brighterfuturesforchildren.org/childrens-centres or scan the QR code.

Look out for our Youth Service’s

We’ve got loads of fun planned for young people in Reading over the summer holidays summer Activities Get ready and complete our consent form now! Scan

Coming up this August... @readingyoungpeople

Wednesday 15 May Online

FOSTER CARE FORTNIGHT

Brighter Futures for Children supports Foster Care Fortnight, the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign led by The Fostering Network, a leading fostering charity.

Celebrating our fostering community right here in Reading, the campaign highlights how foster care transforms lives helping children and young people grow, thrive and flourish into adulthood.

People from all backgrounds can become foster carers and there’s always a need for more local people to provide stable, loving homes for children and young people who need them. Could you invite a child or young person into your family?

Join us online for an informal fostering information session.

Email foster@brighterfuturesforchildren.org for the joining link.

Speak to the fostering team on 0118 469 3020 for a no-obligation chat, or visit www.readingfostering.co.uk for more information or to submit your enquiry online.

Information, advice and services for Reading’s children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

Information, advice and services for Reading’s children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

What is the Local Offer?

What is the Local Offer?

The Local Offer is a service and website (readingsendlocaloffer.org ) that provides lots of information and support for children and young people, aged 0-25, with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The Local Offer is a service and website (readingsendlocaloffer.org ) that provides lots of information and support for children and young people, aged 0-25, with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

It enables children and young people, their families and carers to access the support which best matches their own needs.

It enables children and young people, their families and carers to access the support which best matches their own needs.

It’s also a useful resource for professionals and service providers.

It’s also a useful resource for professionals and service providers.

Saturday 18 May 9am - 5pm

True Food Co-op, 61 Grove Road, Emmer Green, RG4 8LJ

FIND THE POLLINATORS WITH TRUE FOOD CO-OP

True Food is an organic supermarket. Organic farms have a greater diversity of weeds and other plants which provide habitat and food for bees and other pollinators. Use your nature detector skills to track down the pollinators hidden around the True Food shop. Locate all 8 and claim a small prize.

https://truefood.coop

Saturday 18 May 11am – 4pm

Armour Hill, Tilehurst, RG31 6JH

79th READING SCOUTS FUNDAY

Fundraising event for 9 Scouts going to Malawi to help refurbish and renovate a local orphanage.

£1 per person at the door.

https://www.79threading.org.uk

Saturday 18 May 2pm – 4pm

The Oracle Shopping Centre (located next to River Island)

INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS WITH READING CHINESE SCHOOL

Reading Chinese School will be hosting a range of interactive workshops giving a unique opportunity to experience Chinese art and culture.

These workshops will feature Chinese Calligraphy, Chinese name writing, Traditional Chinese costumes, Chinese dancing and a Chinese arts and crafts.

Come along and try something new!

For more information visit

https://readingchineseschool.org.uk

READING BOROUGH LIBRARIES

BATTLE LIBRARY PAPER

AEROPLANE CHAMPIONSHIP

16 May, 17 May, 18 May, 21 May, 23 May, 24 May, 25 May, 28 May, 30 May, 31 May,

MODELLING AND POT MAKING WITH AIR DRY CLAY

Saturday 18 May, 10am - 12noon

Whitley Library, South Reading Community Hub, 252 Northumberland Avenue, RG2 7PZ

Thursday afternoon Craft Club.

£1 per child, no booking required

Ongoing from 16 May, Battle presents their Paper Aeroplane Championship! Maximum three attempts per day, live leader board, with furthest distance prize and coolest plane award. Free entry.

BISCUITY FUN!

Saturday 18th May, 2 -3pm Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ. Decorate a biscuit to take home.

£1 per child, no booking required

Come along to Whitley Library where we will be doing some modelling and pot making with air dry clay.

£1 per child, no booking required

SURPRISE HALF TERM CRAFT FUN

Tuesday 28 May, 10.30 - 11.30am

Tilehurst Library, School Road, RG31 5AS

A drop-in surprise half term fun crafting session.

£1 per child, no booking required

MAKE A PAPER PLATE WEATHER FORECASTER!

Tuesday 28 May, 2 - 4pm

Palmer Park Library, St Bartholomew’s Road, RG1 3QB

Fun craft event for children.

£1 per child, no booking required

MAKE A PAPER PLATE LION!

Tuesday 28 May, 3 - 4pm

Southcote Library, Southcote Community Hub, Coronation Square, Southcote Lane, RG30 3QP

Make a paper plate lion, inspired by the iconic Maiwand Lion in the Forbury Gardens.

£1 per child, no booking required

RHYMETIMES

Our popular Rhymetime sessions introduce babies and children to language, rhyme and taking part in a fun way!

All sessions are free, but booking is essential at some branches as space is limited. For drop-in sessions please arrive in good time as sessions can fill up quickly.

Please cancel your session if you find you are unable to make it, so that another family can attend.

Book a session:

We currently have sessions at:

Battle library – Friday, 10 and 11am – just drop-in, no need to book

Caversham library – Tuesday, 10.15 and 11.15am – book on 0118 937 5103 during library opening times

Central library – Thursday, 10.15 and 11.15am, Tuesday 10.30am – just drop-in, no need to book

Palmer Park library – Tuesday 10.30 am, Thursday 10.30am – just drop-in, no need to book

Southcote library – Thursday 9.45am – book on 0118 937 5109 during library opening times

Tilehurst library – Monday, 9.45am and 10.45am, and Thursday, 2.15pm –book on 0118 9375112 during library opening times

Whitley library – Thursday 11am – just drop-in, no need to book

£1 per child, no booking required

CRETACEOUS CRAFTS!

Thursday 30 May, 2 – 3.30pm

Caversham Library, Church Street, RG4 8AU

Drop into Caversham Library for Cretaceous Crafts! Children aged 4 - 10 and their grown-ups can make 3D Dinosaurs - will yours be friendly or ferocious?

£1 per child, no booking required

BISCUIT DECORATING

Thursday 30 May, 2 – 3.30pm

Battle Library, 420 Oxford Road, RG30 1EE

Decorate a biscuit at our Thursday afternoon Craft Club.

£1 per child, no booking required

BUGS, BEASTS AND BIRDS!

Friday 31st May, 10.30 – 11.30am

Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, RG1 3BQ

A FREE fun crafting session suitable for all the family at Reading Central Library!

£1 per child, no booking required

DECORATING BISCUITSHOW US YOUR ICING SKILLS!

1 June, 10.00 - 11.00am

Southcote Library, Southcote Community Hub, Coronation Square, Southcote Lane, RG30 3QP

Come along and decorate a biscuit to take home.

£1 per child, no booking required

FOURBEARS FEST 2024

Friday 17 May 8.30am - 12.30pm

Fourbears book shop, 20 Prospect Street, Caversham, RG4 8JG

Storytime with Margaret Bateson-Hill. Aged 5+, ideal for the whole family

Saturday 18 May

Caversham Baptist Church, South Street, RG4 8HY

10am

Neill Cameron hosts a draw-along comic books session for ages 9+

11.30am

Holly Webb shares animal stories for ages 6+

1pm

A.F. Harrold with poetry, shouting, laughter for ages 7+ 2.30pm

Fiona Barker shares interactive session based on A Swift Return for ages 5+ 4pm

E.L. Norry discusses Fable House, her fantasy stories mixed with legend for ages 9+

Sunday 19 May

Fourbears book shop, 20 Prospect Street, Caversham, RG4 8JG

10am

James Carter - fun poetry based on the real world for ages 6+

11.30am

Frances Durkin - discusses the popular non-fiction series What’s Science/Technology for ages 7+

1pm

Michelle Harrison with her brand new fantasy book Twice Upon a Time for ages 8+ 2.30pm

Jo Clarke

creative writing workshop for ages 9+

All children must be accompanied by an adult and each person needs a ticket. Book tickets or find out more information at https://www.fourbearsbooks.co.uk/fourbears-fest

READING MUSEUM

15, 22, 29 May, 10.30am – 11am

RHYMETIME AT READING MUSEUM

These sessions introduce babies and children to language, rhyme and taking part in a fun way.

Free event, no booking required

25 May - 2 June

ACTIVITY CART

Drop in throughout the week to create some fun paper craft.

Free event, no booking required

25 May - 2 June

LITTLE PUFFIN TRAIL

£1.50 per trail, pay on the day

28 May, 10am, 11.15am, 1pm & 2.15pm

SUGAR CUBE IGLOOS

All ages. £4

www.readingmuseum.org.uk/ sugar-cube-igloos

29 May, 10am – 12pm & 1 – 3pm

15, 22, 29 May, 10.30am – 11am

£1, no booking required

30 May, 10am, 11.15am, 1pm & 2.15pm

MAKE & TAKE: ARCTIC BIRDS STREAMERS ICE EXPERIMENTS

All ages. £4

www.readingmuseum.org.uk/ ice-experiments

VICTORIAN SCHOOLROOM EXPERIENCE IN THE GATEWAY

Meet a Victorian schoolteacher and re-learn the ‘3Rs’. A 45-minute experience for adults and children over 5 in our unique Victorian classroom, in the historic Abbey Gateway. Please note that the Gateway has no step free access and there are uneven steps and floors. Ages 5+

£1 per person, no booking required

www.readingmuseum.org.uk

Saturday 25 May

3 – 5pm

Reading Biscuit Factory, 1 Queens Walk, RG1 7QE

PACT’S CHILDREN’S KARAOKE AT READING BISCUIT FACTORY

Calling all future pop stars!

As part of this year’s Reading Children’s Festival PACT will be bringing the tunes for a fun afternoon of children’s karaoke at The Reading Biscuit Factory.

We have all the favourite tunes with something for every voice. Everyone is welcome to sing along…even the adults! So bring your friends.

This is your time to shine.

Suggested donation per song

£1.

www.pactcharity.org

27 May - 31 May, 11am - 5pm

Caversham Pier, Thameside Promenade, Caversham, RG1 8BD

FREE BOAT TRIPS FOR ACCOMPANIED CHILDREN BY THAMES RIVERCRUISE

Thames Rivercruise are offering FREE* boat trips for accompanied children up to 14 years during the Children’s Festival week 27 - 31 May. (*One child travels for free per full paying adult). Choose from a 45 minute Thames Experience, 60 minute Thames Meander or our most popular 90 minute Thames Explorer.

Tickets can be purchased online or when boarding.

Pre booking is advisable. Prices start from £12 per person for an adult ticket.

For more information visit

www.thamesrivercruise.co.uk or email

bookings@thamesrivercruise.co.uk

27 May, 28 May

10 – 11.15am, 11.45am - 1pm, 1.45 - 3pm

Reading Canoe Club, The Warren, Caversham, RG4 7TH

KAYAK TASTER SESSIONS

AT READING CANOE CLUB

Discover kayaking – come and try it out.

Ages 9-16 years

10 places per session

Booking essential

To book a place, scan the QR code or go to reading-canoe.org.uk/taster and fill in the form.

Saturday 25 May, 2.30 – 4.30pm

Meadway Sports Centre, Conway Close, RG30 4BZ

MEADWAY SPORTS CENTRESOFT PLAY & POOL PARTIES!

Meadway Sports Centre is hosting a Soft Play party for under 8’s - including a bouncy castle and soft play equipment between 3 - 3.45pm and 3.45 - 4.30pm. As well as a pool party, with an inflatable, for over 8s between 2.30 - 3.30pm.

Free entry

Book at https://bookings.better.org.uk/location/ meadway-sports-centre

Monday 27 May, 10am - 1pm

Palmer Park Leisure Centre and Stadium, Wokingham Road, RG6 1LF

PALMER PARK LEISURE CENTRE AND STADIUMMULTI ACTIVITIES!

Palmer Park is hosting a day of activity to keep you and your children occupied on the Bank Holiday! Soft Play is available throughout the day for children Under 11s (£3.90 under 2, £7.80 over 2). There will be Adult & Junior Gym throughout the day (Adult gym is £9.45 per session, junior gym is £4.50). Please note that junior participants must be 11yrs upward and must do a gym induction with one of our fitness instructors before using any of the gym equipment.

Additionally FREE activities include: Wheelie Fun (cycling) 10 - 11am and Swimming Taster Lessons 3.15 - 4.15pm (Booking essential)

Book at https://bookings.better.org.uk/location/palmer-park

27 May - 2 June, 9am – 5pm

South Reading Leisure Centre, Northumberland Avenue, RG2 8DF

SOUTH READING LEISURE CENTRE HALF TERM ACTIVITIES

Come along and join in with half term activities starting at £1! Our activities for 8-15 year olds include: football on our outdoor full size 3G pitch, multi-sports (including badminton, table tennis, short tennis and basketball!) as well as outdoor tennis. Soft play, including bouncy castles, is available for children under 8!

Booking is not required, but recommended to avoid disappointment:

https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/reading/ south-reading/holiday-activities

28 May, 29 May, 10.30am – 12noon

Rivermead Leisure Centre, Richfield Avenue, RG1 8EQ

RIVERMEAD SWIM FOR ALL - POOL PARTY!

Rivermead is hosting a swim for all pool party!

Come and join in the fun on Tuesday 28 May 10.30 - 11.30am or Wednesday 29 May 10.00 - 11.00am / 11am - 12noon. This is suitable for all ages! One competent adult swimmer may supervise up to 2 under 8’s or non swimmers under 16 at a time.

Adults £6, Children £3.60 (1 Adult and up to 2 under 3s £6). Book at https://bookings.better.org.uk/location/rivermeadleisure-complex/swim-for-all/2024-04-02/by-time

Saturday 1 June, 11.30am & 2pm

South Street Arts Centre, 21 South Street, RG1 4QU

MORGAN & WEST’S MASSIVE MAGIC SHOW FOR KIDS!

Roll up, roll up! Morgan & West are back with a massive magic show for kids (and their childish grownups)!

Expect gawps, gasps, and guffaws in this relentlessly funny and fantastical magic filled extravaganza, guaranteed to delight those aged five and105, and indeed everyone in between! Conjuring capers, mysterious magic tricks, larger than life laughs, and fantastic facial furniture all crammed into one hour of non-stop fun for all the family.

Tickets £15.50 at https://whatsonreading.com/venues/south-street/whats-on/morgan-wests-massive-magic-show-kids

2 June, 8.30 - 10.00am

100 Brook Drive, Green Park, RG2 6UJ

THE ABBEY READING

GREEN PARK READING 3K & MINI MILE BY GOOD RUNNING EVENTS

FESTIVAL OF SPORT 2024

Join for Junior Fun Runs for children aged 4 – 14 by Good Running Events!

Tickets £12. For more information visit

https://www.greenparkreading10k.co.uk

2 June, 9am – 1.15pm

The Hill Primary School, Peppard Road, Caversham, RG4 8TU

WEST END MUSICALS MASTERCLASS - DANCE - ACTING - SINGING CLASSES WITH INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AT THEATRETRAIN READING

Jump into a West End Musicals Masterclass at Theatretrain Reading and work with our team of industry professionals: singing, acting and dancing!

TT Minis 4-6 years - 9am-10:30am

TT Main Ensemble 6-18 years - 10:15am-1:15pm

This special session as part of Reading Children’s Festival on Saturday 2 June is FREE to all young people new to Theatretrain Reading.

Sign up to Theatretrain West End Summer Academy 5th-9th August 10am-4pm (Park United Reformed Church Halls) and pay just £120 for the week with this flyer!

For more information visit https://theatretrain.co.uk/reading/join/

29 July – 2 August, 10am – 4pm

MUSICAL THEATRE SUMMER CAMP BY READING REP THEATRE

The West End hits

Reading in a one-week Musical Theatre Summer Camp!

This summer join Reading Rep Theatre for a unique and exciting way to discover Musical Theatre! Returning for a second year after its sell out success.

0118 937 2771 or 0118 937 2395

events@reading.gov.uk

facebook.com/ReadingCFest

twitter.com/ReadingCFest

www.reading.gov.uk/cfest24

So, raise your voice, make new friends and become the musical theatre star you always knew you could be!

For ages 9 – 16.

Over one week you will work with professional West End Stars, Amy Ambrose and top Musical Director Patrick Stockbridge. Working towards a professional performance on Reading Rep’s main stage to share with friends and family. Book at https://www.readingrep.com/west-end-experience-2024/

Every effort was made to ensure that the details in this publication were correct at the time of going to print. However, Reading Borough Council cannot accept responsibility for any changes, amendments or cancellations of events or activities listed, nor any inaccuracies that may have been printed in error. Adverse weather conditions may cause some events to be cancelled, relocated or rescheduled. If in doubt, you are strongly advised to confirm details with venues before leaving home.

For enquiries relating to this publication, call 0118 937 2771.

The Station Hill team is delighted to sponsor the 2024 Reading Children’s Festival.

Station Hill – delivered by a joint venture between Lincoln and MGT– is the landmark, 2.5 million sq ft mixed-use development adjacent to Reading station, home to the Elizabeth Line. It seeks to achieve the highest accreditations for environmental standards.

When complete, it will comprise:

Up to 1,300 homes, including nearly 600 homes for rent in two blocks (‘Ebb & Flow’) between Friar Street and Garrard Street, formerly the site of Friars Walk Shopping Centre. Ebb & Flow offers a range of apar tments –from studios to 3-bedrooms – designed for comfor t and style, as well as co-working spaces, social areas and rooftop terraces

Two acres of public realm and other spaces at ground level, including a range of retail and leisure uses through an investment of around £50 million in social infrastructure, landscaping and improved pedestrian accessibility

At a time when the centre of Reading continues to undergo a dramatic transformation as a place for people to live, work and play, we wish the Children’s Festival all the best for another successful year!

More information at: w w w.stationhill.co.uk/