Island Libraries Launch Packed Programme Of Summer Holiday Activities

Families looking for free and affordable ways to keep children entertained over the summer holidays can enjoy a packed programme of events at libraries across the Isle of Wight.

This year's activities tie in with the Summer Reading Challenge: Read to the Beat, which encourages children to keep reading throughout the holidays with rewards, prizes and certificates available until September.

Youngsters can get hands-on with a range of music-themed crafts, including making rain sticks, castanets, bell shakers and spin drums, as well as decorating instruments and enjoying musical story times.

The programme gets underway at Cowes Library on Saturday (26th July) with a Lego Music Day, where children can help build life-sized musical instruments from Lego.

Other events taking place over the summer include bird wind chime workshops at Ventnor Library, music-themed story and craft sessions at Ryde Library, and more musical story times in Cowes.

Development Librarian Louise Emery said:

"Our libraries are at the heart of the community and we're delighted to be offering such a varied programme of free and low-cost activities for families this summer.

"By linking many of our events to this year's Summer Reading Challenge, we hope to inspire children to discover the joy of reading while having fun, getting creative and making new friends."

Alongside the musical theme, there will also be plenty of other activities, including milk bottle minibeast crafts, driftwood and pebble creations, flower lantern making, pottery workshops, monster magnets and paper plate art.

Sandown Library will also host a free screening of The Magic Faraway Tree, while youngsters in Ryde can make their own carnival headpiece during a special workshop led by Island Craft Works.

There are activities for older children too, including dream catcher workshops, rock painting and pin badge making.

Most sessions are free, although some workshops require advance booking or a small charge.

A full programme of events is available through the Isle of Wight Library Service.