Families across Knowsley are being invited to make the most of a summer packed with free activities, events and experiences at their local library.
There is an exciting programme of free activities taking place across all five libraries throughout the school holidays, giving children and families the chance to get creative, discover new interests and enjoy fun experiences together.
One of the highlights of the summer programme is ‘Open a Book, Open the World’, a brand-new virtual reality experience created especially for Knowsley Libraries. The immersive activity allows participants to explore a range of habitats and answer quiz questions as they journey through the experience. Sessions are limited to 15 minutes and parents or guardians will be required to sign a disclaimer before children take part.
Susana Meese returns to Knowsley this summer with her interactive musical storytelling shows. Combining stories, songs, games and puzzles, the sessions are designed to entertain and inspire young audiences while encouraging a love of reading and creativity.
Young scientists can get hands-on with a series of music-themed science experiments presented by Love Science, while nature lovers can take part in a range of outdoor-inspired activities led by the Knowsley Rangers.
Children will also have the opportunity to discover music and dance from across the globe with Movema’s Dancing Around the World sessions, which encourage participants to enjoy music and learn dances from different cultures.
For aspiring songwriters and storytellers, Read Now Write Now will be running creative writing workshops where young people can put their words to music and create their own songs. Anyone interested in finding out more or booking a place can email charles@readnowwritenow.org.uk.
As well as all these amazing events there will also be craft activities taking place in the libraries daily.
The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge also return to libraries and this year’s challenge, Read to the Beat! encourages children to turn up the volume on reading and discover the joy of books throughout the summer holidays.
Children can join the Summer Reading Challengeat any Knowsley Library and enjoy a summer filled with stories, music, creativity and fun. It’s free to join – simply visit your local library to sign up and start your child’s reading adventure.
Find out more about the Summer Reading Challenge at: www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk.
With a fantastic collection of stories, comics, graphic novels and non-fiction available at Knowsley’s libraries, children of all ages and reading abilities can take part. Books are free to borrow, making it easy for families to enjoy reading together over the summer.
Councillor Jayne Lonergan, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “Our libraries are at the heart of our communities and this summer’s programme offers something for everyone. From virtual reality and science activities to storytelling, creative writing, dance and nature-themed events, there are lots of opportunities for children and families to learn, have fun and spend time together.
“The Summer Reading Challenge remains a fantastic way to encourage a lifelong love of reading, and with all activities free of charge, we hope as many families as possible will get involved and make the most of what their local library has to offer this summer.”
All activities are free and you can see the full programme of events taking place in each library below or pick up a leaflet in your local library.
Halewood Library
| Date | Time | Activity | Age |
| Monday 20th July | 2.00-4.00pm | Mini matchbox bed for a mouse | 5+ |
| Thursday 23rd July | 10.30-12.30pm | Open a Book, Open a World VR Experience* | 8+ |
| Friday 24th July | 10.30-12.00pm | Stay and Play | Under 5s |
| Friday 24th July | 2.30-4.30pm | Gingerbread Man and Fox puppets | 4+ |
| Monday 27th July | 10.30-12.00pm | Make a Kwanza Drum | 4+ |
| Wednesday 29th July | 2.00-4.00pm | Craft a Fantastic Fish! | 5+ |
| Thursday 30th July | 2.00-4.30pm | An afternoon of board games, puzzles and good fun! | All Ages |
| Friday 31st July | 10.30-12.00pm | Stay and Play | Under 5s |
| Monday 3rd August | 10.30-12.00pm | Get creative! Design your own mask | 3+ |
| Wednesday 5th August | 10.30-12.00pm | Rainbow Fish | 4+ |
| Friday 7th August | 11.00-12.00pm | Storytelling with Susanna Meese. Spectacular stories, signing and silly games. | 5+ |
| Monday 10th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Cup Wind Chimes | 6+ |
| Wednesday 12th August | 2.00 – 3.00pm | Sound meets science! Musical themed science experiments with Love Science! | 5 – 11 |
| Thursday 13th August | 10.30-12.00pm | Kite craft | 3+ |
| Thursday 13th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Nature based activities with Knowsley Rangers to inspire you to make some music in the great outdoors. | 5+ |
| Friday 14th August | 10.30-12.00pm | Stay and Play | Under 5s |
| Friday 14th August | 2.00-3.00pm | Dancing Around the World with Movema! | 6+ |
| Monday 17th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Shake and make your maracas! | 5+ |
| Wednesday 19th August | 10.30-12.00pm | Frankie the 3D Frog | 6+ |
| Thursday 20th August | 10.30-12.30pm | Creative Writing: Put your words to music and create your own songs! Please email charles@readnowwritenow.org.uk to book your place. | 7+ |
| Friday 21st August | 10.30-12.00pm | Stay and Play | Under 5s |
| Monday 24th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Write your own Story | 3+ |
| Wednesday 26th August | 2.00-4.30pm | LEGO session! | 6+ |
| Friday 28th August | 10.30-12.00pm | Stay and Play | Under 5s |
| Friday 28th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Paper Birdhouse Crafting | 3+ |
Huyton Library
| Date | Time | Activity | Age |
| Wednesday 22nd July | 10.30-12.00pm and 2.00-4.00pm | Monkey Drum Craft | 5+ |
| Friday 24th July | 10.30-12.00pm and 2.00-4.00pm | Octopus Craft | 5+ |
| Saturday 25th July | 10.30-12.30pm | Sun Craft | 5+ |
| Monday 27th July | 10.30-12.00pm and 2.00-4.00pm | 3D Fish Craft | 5+ |
| Wednesday 29th July | 10.30-12.00pm and 2.00-4.00pm | Paper Cow Craft | 5+ |
| Friday 31st July | 10.30-12.00pm and 2.00-4.00pm | Kazoo | 5+ |
| Monday 3rd August | 10.30-12.00pm and 2.00-4.00pm | Sunflower Seeds | 5+ |
| Wednesday 5th August | 10.30-12.00pm | Frog Prince Craft | 5+ |
| Wednesday 5th August | 2.00-3.30pm | Recycling Team | 5+ |
| Friday 7th August | 10.30-12.00pm and 2.00-4.00pm | Harmonica | 5+ |
| Monday 10th August | 10.30-12.00pm and 2.00-4.00pm | Rainshaker | 5+ |
| Tuesday 11th August | 2.00-3.00pm | Storytelling with Susanna Meese. Spectacular stories, signing and silly games. | 5+ |
| Wednesday 12th August | 10.30-12.00pm and 2.00-4.00pm | Dino Craft | 5+ |
| Friday 14th August | 10.30-12.00pm and 2.00-4.00pm | Summertime Scene Craft | 5+ |
| Monday 17th August | 10.30-12.00pm and 2.00-4.00pm | Maracas | 5+ |
| Tuesday 18th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Creative Writing: Put your words to music and create your own songs! Please email charles@readnowwritenow.org.uk to book your place. | 7+ |
| Wednesday 19th August | 10.30-12.00pm and 2.00-4.00pm | Colourful Octopus Craft | 5+ |
| Thursday 20th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Nature based activities with Knowsley Rangers to inspire you to make some music in the great outdoors. | 5+ |
| Friday 21st August | 10.30-12.00pm and 2.00-4.00pm | Ice Cream Cart Craft | 5+ |
| Monday 24th August | 10.30-12.00pm and 2.00-4.00pm | Junk Modelling | 5+ |
| Wednesday 26th August | 10.30-12.00pm and 2.00-4.00pm | Guitar + Pan Pipes | 5+ |
| Thursday 27th August | 2.00 – 4.00pm | Open a Book, Open a World VR Experience* | 8+ |
| Friday 28th August | 10.30-12.00pm and 2.00-4.00pm | Spring Bird on Branch | 5+ |
Kirkby Library
| Date | Time | Activity | Age |
| Monday 20th July | 2.00-4.00pm | Mexican Rattle | 6+ |
| Tuesday 21st July | 10.30 – 11.30am | Words and Pictures | Under 5s |
| Wednesday 22nd July | 2.00-4.00pm | Decorate a Cat | 5+ |
| Thursday 23rd July | 2.00-4.00pm | Sparkly Sunflower on a Stick | 5+ |
| Friday 24th July | 10.30-12.00pm | Stay and Play | Under 5s |
| Friday 24th July | 2.00-4.00pm | A Cup of Flowers | 5+ |
| Monday 27th July | 2.00-4.00pm | Rocking Boat on the Sea | 5+ |
| Tuesday 28th July | 10.30 – 11.30am | Words and Pictures | Under 5s |
| Wednesday 29th July | 11.00-12.00pm | Storytelling with Susanna Meese. Spectacular stories, signing and silly games. | 5+ |
| Friday 31st July | 10.30-12pm | Stay and Play | Under 5s |
| Friday 31st July | 2.00-4.00pm | Cheerful Cactus | 5+ |
| Monday 3rd August | 2.00-4.00pm | CD Art | 5+ |
| Tuesday 4th August | 10.30 – 11.30am | Words and Pictures | Under 5s |
| Wednesday 5th August | All Day | National Play Day | All |
| Thursday 6th August | 2.00-3.30pm | Recycling Team | 5+ |
| Friday 6th August | 10.30-12.00pm | Stay and Play | Under 5s |
| Monday 10th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Wall Butterfly | 5+ |
| Tuesday 11th August | 10.30 – 11.30am | Words and Pictures | Under 5s |
| Wednesday 12th August | 1.00-3.00pm | Nature based activities with Knowsley Rangers to inspire you to make some music in the great outdoors. | 5+ |
| Thursday 13th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Summer Flower Wreath | 5+ |
| Friday 14th August | 10.30-12.00pm | Stay and Play | Under 5s |
| Monday 17th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Golden Mermaid | 5+ |
| Tuesday 18th August | 10.30-11.30am | Mini Broadway An interactive storytelling session with musical accompaniment, perfect for the little ones! | Under 5s |
| Wednesday 19th August | 10.30-12.30pm | Creative Writing: Put your words to music and create your own songs! Please email charles@readnowwritenow.org.uk to book your place. | 7+ |
| Wednesday 19th August | 2.00-4.00pm | A Liverpool Seagull and his Treats | 5+ |
| Thursday 20th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Octopus | 5+ |
| Friday 21st August | 10.30-12.00pm | Stay and Play | Under 5s |
| Monday 24th August | 2.00-4.00pm | 3D Butterfly | 5+ |
| Tuesday 25th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Open a Book, Open a World VR Experience* | 8+ |
| Wednesday 26th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Watermelon Fan | 6+ |
| Thursday 27th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Aquarium | 5+ |
| Friday 28th August | 10.30-12.00pm | Stay and Play | Under 5s |
Prescot Library
| Date | Time | Activity | Age |
| Monday 20th July | 10.30 – 11.30am | Word & Pictures | Under 5s |
| Tuesday 21st July | 10.30-12.30pm | Open a Book, Open a World VR Experience* | 8+ |
| Wednesday 22nd July | 10.30-11.30am | Stay & Play | Under 5s |
| Thursday 23rd July | 2.00-4.00pm | Wooden Music Hangers | 5+ |
| Friday 24th July | 10.30-12.00pm | Castanets | 5+ |
| Saturday 25th July | 10.30-12.00pm | Pot Luck Craft | 5+ |
| Monday 27th July | 10.30 – 11.30am | Word & Pictures | Under 5s |
| Tuesday 28th July | 10.30-12.00pm | Rainmakers | 5+ |
| Wednesday 29th July | 10.30-11.30am | Stay & Play | Under 5s |
| Thursday 30th July | 2.00-4.00pm | Make Music Bracelets | 5+ |
| Friday 31st July | 11.00-12.00pm | Disney Singalong – dress up encouraged! | 4+ |
| Saturday 1st July | 10.30 -11.30am | Pot Luck Craft | 5+ |
| Monday 3rd August | 10.30-11.30am | Words & Pictures | Under 5s |
| Tuesday 4th August | 11.00 – 12.00pm | Sound meets science! Musical themed science experiments with Love Science! | 5 – 11 |
| Wednesday 5th August | 10.30-11.30am | Stay & Play | Under 5s |
| Thursday 6th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Improv Storytelling with Shellie | 7+ |
| Friday 7th August | 10.30-12.00pm | Pipe-cleaner creatures | 5+ |
| Saturday 8th August | 10.30-12.00pm | Pot Luck Craft | 5+ |
| Monday 10th August | 10.30-12.00pm | Words & Pictures – Kazoo special! | Under 5s |
| Tuesday 11th August | 11.00-12.00pm | Storytelling with Susanna Meese. Spectacular stories, signing and silly games. | 5+ |
| Wednesday 12th August | 10.30-11.30am | Stay & Play | Under 5s |
| Wednesday 12th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Nature based activities with Knowsley Rangers to inspire you to make some music in the great outdoors. | 5+ |
| Thursday 13th August | 2.30-3.30pm | Guess the intro Quiz – with prizes! | 5+ |
| Friday 14th August | 11.00-12.00pm | Dancing Around the World with Movema! | 6+ |
| Friday 14th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Open a Book, Open a World VR Experience* | 8+ |
| Saturday 15th August | 10.30-12.00pm | Pot Luck Craft | 5+ |
| Monday 17th August | 10.30-11.30am | Words & Pictures | Under 5s |
| Tuesday 18th August | 10.30-12.30pm | Creative Writing: Put your words to music and create your own songs! Please email charles@readnowwritenow.org.uk to book your place. | 7+ |
| Wednesday 19th August | 10.30-11.30am | Stay & Play | Under 5s |
| Thursday 20th August | 2.00-3.30pm | Recycling Team | 5+ |
| Friday 21st August | 10.30-12.00pm | Clay Creations | 5+ |
| Saturday 22nd August | 10.30-12.30pm | Create your crown | 5+ |
| Monday 24th August | 10.30-11.30am | Words & Pictures – Teddy Bear Picnic | Under 5s |
| Tuesday 25th August | 10.30-12.00pm | Scratch Art | 5+ |
| Wednesday 26th August | 10.30-11.30am | Stay & Play | Under 5s |
| Thursday 27th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Clay Creations | 5+ |
| Friday 28th August | 10.30-12.00pm | Paper chain caterpillars | 5+ |
| Entries between 20th July- 28th August | Music Colouring Competition: Come into library to pick up a colouring sheet. There will be a winner in each category. | Age categories: under 5, 5-8, 8-12. |
Stockbridge Village Library
| Date | Time | Activity | Age |
| Monday 22nd July | 10.30-12.00pm | Crab & Fish | 5+ |
| Thursday 23rd July | 2.00-4.00pm | Snakes & Ladders | 5+ |
| Friday 24th July | 2.00-4.00pm | Accordion Craft | 5+ |
| Saturday 25th July | 10.30-12.00pm | Pot Luck Craft | 5+ |
| Monday 27th July | 10.30-11.30am | Words and Pictures | Under 5s |
| Tuesday 28th July | 2.00-4.00pm | Paper Drum | 5+ |
| Wednesday 29th July | 2.00-3.30pm | Storytelling Lantern Making with Susanna Meese! | 6+ |
| Thursday 30th July | 2.00-4.00pm | Lemonade Cups | 5+ |
| Friday 31st July | 2.00-4.00pm | Paper Ice-Cream | 5+ |
| Saturday 1st August | 10.30-12.00pm | Pot Luck Craft | 5+ |
| Monday 3rd August | 10.30-11.30am | Words and Pictures | Under 5s |
| Tuesday 4th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Nature based activities with Knowsley Rangers to inspire you to make some music in the great outdoors. | 5+ |
| Wednesday 5th August | 10.30-12.00pm | Astronaut Mask | 5+ |
| Wednesday 5th August | 2.00-4.00pm | National Play Day- Lego and Board Games | 5+ |
| Thursday 6th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Minecraft Bee | 5+ |
| Friday 7th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Rice Shaker | 5+ |
| Saturday 8th August | 10.30-12.00 | Pot Luck Craft | 5+ |
| Monday 10th August | 10.30-11.30am | Words and Pictures | Under 5s |
| Tuesday 11th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Friendship Bracelets | 5+ |
| Wednesday 12th August | 10.30-12.00pm | Finger Football Craft | 5+ |
| Thursday 13th August | 2.00-4.00 | Robot Craft | 5+ |
| Friday 14th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Junk Modelling | 5+ |
| Saturday 15th August | 10.30-12.00pm | Pot Luck Craft | 5+ |
| Monday 17th August | 10.30-11.30am | Mini Broadway An interactive storytelling session with musical accompaniment, perfect for the little ones! | Under 5s |
| Tuesday 18th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Frog on a Lilypad | 5+ |
| Wednesday 19th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Creative Writing: Put your words to music and create your own songs! Please email charles@readnowwritenow.org.uk to book your place. | 7+ |
| Thursday 20th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Salt dough Craft | 5+ |
| Friday 21st August | 2.00-4.00pm | Butterfly | 5+ |
| Saturday 22nd August | 10.30-12pm | Pot Luck Craft | 5+ |
| Monday 24th August | 10.30-11.30am | Words and Pictures | Under 5s |
| Monday 24th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Open a Book, Open a World VR Experience* | 8+ |
| Tuesday 25th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Design Your Own Keyring | 5+ |
| Wednesday 26th August | 10.30-12.00pm | Cat with Ball of Wool Craft | 5+ |
| Thursday 27th August | 2.00-4.00pm | Pirate Hat and Hook Craft | 5+ |
| Friday 28th August | 10.30-12.30pm | Finger Puppets | 5+ |
| Saturday 29th August | 10.30-12.00pm | Pot Luck Craft | 5+ |
