Rainy Day Activities
Download free children’s activities from Bloomsbury
Bloomsbury Children’s Books and Bloomsbury Education have a collection of free downloadable resources linked to some of their favourite books. From colouring sheets and posters to activity packs, there are plenty of ideas to keep children entertained, including creative writing activities, poetry prompts and themed packs such as Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World and classic fairy tales. Resources are organised by age, making it easy to find something suitable.
Apply for a Blue Peter badge
Children aged between five and 15 can apply for a Blue Peter badge. There are several types, including the iconic blue badge (awarded for a creative contribution such as a poem, artwork or recipe), the book badge (for children who love reading) and the green badge (for helping to protect the planet). Badge recipients also get free entry to more than 200 attractions nationwide, including theme parks, zoos and castles. It’s worth checking the terms and conditions before you visit, as entry requirements can vary between attractions.
Take part in the Summer Reading Challenge
Head to your local library or sign up online for the Summer Reading Challenge and discover plenty of books to keep kids entertained over the holidays. The Read to the Beat theme encourages children to explore the connection between stories and songs as they work towards their reading goal and unlock digital rewards along the way. The challenge will also be one of the key moments for libraries during the UK’s National Year of Reading in 2026. Most public libraries take part in the Summer Reading Challenge, which is delivered by The Reading Agency, but some areas run their own reading challenges instead, so it’s worth checking what’s available at your local library.
Create a comic book
Encourage children to create their own comic book with help from The National Literacy Trust and The Beano. The free activity pack includes tips on everything from writing speech bubbles to designing characters, helping budding writers and artists bring their own stories to life.
Enter the BBC 500 Words competition
The UK’s biggest story-writing competition for 5-11-year-olds returns this autumn. It will be open for entries from Tuesday 29 September 2026 until 9pm on Friday 6 November. All children need to do is write a story they would love to read in 500 words or fewer. Get started over the summer and you’ll be ready to go when the competition opens.
Out & About
Explore free English Heritage sites
Many historic sites cared for by English Heritage are free to enter, making them a great budget-friendly day out. From an outstanding example of English Baroque architecture on the Isle of Wight to a rare Norman ‘enclosure castle’ in Kent and one of England’s earliest stone circles, there are plenty of places to discover. Visit English Heritage’s free historic sites page for full details.
Visit free museums, galleries and festivals
Days out can be eye-wateringly expensive, but there are many free events throughout the summer. MoneySavingExpert has listings of free museums and art galleries across the UK, as well as a guide to free festivals and carnivals. Pack a picnic to keep costs down.
Take on a charity shop challenge
Set a small budget and head to your local charity shops to see what treasures you can find. To make things more interesting, you could set a challenge, for example, to find the best dog- or cat-related item or something linked to a favourite theme.
Become a nature detective
The Woodland Trust has a range of free resources for learning about trees and wildlife. You can print tree ID guides or download the free Tree ID app to identify British trees. There’s also a year-round guide to sustainable foraging.
- Lead picture credit: Lucas George Wendt on Unsplash
