Summer holidays 2025 at your local library

Enjoy FREE events for the whole family at your local Inspire library this summer!

Our libraries are the perfect place to enjoy time together as a family. Aside from our regular events like Rattle, Rhyme and Roll, Storyhullabaloo and Lego Clubs, there are tons of activities taking place during the holidays. 

All events are FREE and no booking required, unless otherwise stated. Have a browse below for a library near you, and come and take a peek at what's in store...

Can't see anything near you? We're still adding our event listings, so check back soon for more!

Trio of images showing parents and children enjoying library activities together

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Thursday 7 August

2pm - 3pm

Weaving with Nature

Craft session inspired by nature, for 7-11yrs , booking essential. Get your free ticket at Beeston Library helpdesk. This is one of our free Summer Reading 2025 Story Garden activities.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Tuesday 12 August

11am - 12pm

Windmills

Make a pinwheel for your garden for 7-11yrs , booking essential. Get your free ticket at Beeston Library helpdesk. This is one of our free Summer Reading 2025 Story Garden activities.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Wednesday 20 August

2pm - 3.30pm

Rocking Snails

Drop in session to craft a happy wobbly snail. Suitable for under 12's. No booking required, just pop along and join in the fun. This is one of our Summer Reading Challenge Story Garden activities.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Saturday 23 August

11am - 11.45am

Hullabamooo!

Stories, rhymes & simple craft for under 5s. Booking essential. Get your free ticket at Beeston Library helpdesk. This is one of our Summer Reading Challenge Story Garden activities.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Thursday 28 August

11am - 12pm

Meet the Critters

Free drop-in session to make some Wildlife critters! Suitable for under 12's. No booking required, just pop along and join in the fun. This is one of our Summer Reading Challenge Story Garden activities.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Saturday 30 August

11am - 12.30pm

Crowning Glory

Free drop-in session to make a celebration crown inspired by nature. Suitable for under 12's. No booking required, just pop along and join in the fun. This is one of our Summer Reading Challenge Story Garden activities.


One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Monday 4 August

2pm - 3pm

Hot Air Balloons & Paper Plate Snails

Make 3D hot air balloons to brighten up the summer sky and design your own colourful paper snail! 

This event is part of the Summer Reading Challenge, and is suitable for children under 12. It is free of charge and no booking required.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Thursday 14 August

11am - 12pm

Seed Planting!

Learn how to make an origami plant pot and plant your own lettuce seeds to grow into tasty salads!

This event is part of the Summer Reading Challenge, and is suitable for children under 12. It is free of charge and no booking required.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Thursday 21 August

11am - 12pm

Secret Garden Collage

Design your own secret garden using mixed craft materials!

This event is part of the Summer Reading Challenge, and is suitable for children under 12. It is free of charge and no booking required.

One-off event: Family craft

Thursday 7 August

10am - 12pm

Make a 3D Elephant

Drop in between 10am and 12pm to make your own 3D Elephant!

This event is suitable for children under 12. It is free of charge and no booking required.

One-off event: Family craft

Thursday 14 August

10am - 12pm

Make a Nature Crown

Drop in at the library between 10am and 12pm to make a Nature Crown!

This event is suitable for children under 12. It is free of charge and no booking required.

One-off event: Family craft

Tuesday 19 August

10am -12pm

Make a Paper Plate Rabbit

Drop in at the library between 10am and 12pm to make a Paper Plate Rabbit.

This event is suitable for children under 12. It is free of charge and no booking required.

One-off event: Family craft

Thursday 28 August

10am - 12pm

Make a Rainbow Cloud Decoration

Drop in at the library between 10am and 12pm to make a colourful Rainbow Cloud Decoration.

This event is suitable for children under 12. It is free of charge and no booking required.

One-off event: Family session

Monday 4 - Tuesday 12 August

During normal opening hours

Big Games! Enjoy playing our selection of giant games during your library visit.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Thursday 14 August

10am - 12pm

Make your own fire-breathing dragon!

One-off event: Family session

Monday 18 August

1pm - 4pm

Lego Club (extra session) - children must be supervised by an adult.

One-off event: Family session

Wednesday 20 August

9am - 12pm

Lego Club (extra session) - children must be supervised by an adult.

One-off event: Family session

Saturday 23 August

10am - 12pm

Lego Club (extra session) - children must be supervised by an adult.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Thursday 28 August

10am - 12pm

Create your own enchanting landscape

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Tuesday 5 August - Saturday 9 August

During opening hours

Minibeast Mayhem

Make a minibeast of your choice to take home and display - a snail, a ladybird or you could even create a minibeast of your own!

Suitable for 4 years and above. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

This is a drop-in activity that runs from Tuesday 5 August until Saturday 9 August during normal opening hours. It is free of charge and no booking required.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Tuesday 12 August - Saturday 16 August

During opening hours

Build a Bird Feeder

Make a beautiful bird feeder to hang in your garden - how may different birds will you see?

Suitable for 4 years and above. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

This is a drop-in activity that runs from Tuesday 12 August until Saturday 16 August during normal opening hours. It is free of charge and no booking required.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Tuesday 19 August - Saturday 23 August

During opening hours

Create a Garden Scene

Create a picture of your perfect garden - it could be a flower garden, a vegetable garden or even a magical garden!

Suitable for 4 years and above. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

This is a drop-in activity that runs from Tuesday 19 August until Saturday 23 August during normal opening hours. It is free of charge and no booking required.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Thursday 7 August

10.30am - 11.30am

Terrific Tongues Frog Mask

Terrific tongues frog mask, see how far his tongue grows!

This is a free activity and no booking required. Suitable for ages 4-11.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Thursday 14 August

10.30am - 11.30am

Moss Monster

Make your own moss monster with growing hair!

This is a free activity and no booking required. Suitable for ages 4-11.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Thursday 21 August

10.30am - 11.30am

Critter Crown

Create a garden of crowning glory with our Critter Crown.

This is a free activity and no booking required. Suitable for ages 4-11.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Thursday 28 August

10.30am - 11.30am

Owl Puppet

Have a hoot and turn heads with our owl puppet.

This is a free activity and no booking required. Suitable for ages 4-11.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Tuesday 5 August

3pm - 4pm

Flowers, fairies, toadstools and gnomes... what will you find in the mysterious shadow garden? Use our templates or design your own, then put them into the spotlight of our little Shadow Theatre. Free, booking essential, pop in or call 0115 9373509.

One-off event: Family craft

Thursday 7 August

11am - 3pm

Vibrant Plants

Make your very own Vibrant Plant in our drop in craft session. Will it have petals, leaves, thorns or ears!

This event is suitable for children under 12, and children under the age of 8 must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. It is a free event and no booking is required.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Tuesday 12 August

3pm - 4pm

Stomp! Stomp! Who's that coming?! Phew, it's only an egg box troll! Cut, stick and decorate your own troll from recycled material. Free, booking essential, pop in or call 0115 9373509.

One-off event: Family craft

Thursday 14 August

11am - 3pm

Magical Creatures - Dragons

Create your own flying dragon at our drop in craft session. Choose your colours and don't forget the flames!

This event is suitable for children under 12, and children under the age of 8 must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. It is a free event and no booking is required.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Tuesday 19 August

3pm - 4pm

Secret garden book nook: using craft materials, make a little garden hideaway to sit on your shelf between the books! What's in your garden? Free, booking essential, pop in or call 0115 9373509.

One-off event: Family craft

Thursday 21 August

11am - 3pm

Enchanting Landscapes

Use a variety of materials with different textures to design your own enchanting landscape. The more magical the better. Let your imagination go wild at our drop in craft session.

This event is suitable for children under 12, and children under the age of 8 must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. It is a free event and no booking is required.

Stay and Play

Tuesdays, 29 July to 26 August

10:30am - 11:30am

For under 5s and their grown ups, chat and play in a relaxed environment. A different selection of toys will be available each week.

A selection of toys are put out for children and toddlers to enjoy and it’s a chance to make new friends in a safe and fun environment.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Tuesday 26 August

3pm - 4pm

Creepy crawlies: Ooh it's wiggly! Have a go at making moving paper mini-beasts. Free, booking essential, pop in or call 0115 9373509.

One-off event: Family craft

Thursday 28 August

11am - 3pm

Dig into book characters

Dig into your favourite book and choose a characters or inspirational person to make into a collage, at our drop in craft session.

This event is suitable for children under 12, and children under the age of 8 must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. It is a free event and no booking is required.

One-off event: Under 5's Storytime

Monday 4 August

10am - 11am

Storytime - Mrs Honey's Hat 

Fun Storytime Session followed by Stay & Play.

This session is a free event and no booking required. It is suitable for children under 5.

One-off event: Under 5's Storytime

Monday 11 August

10am - 11am

Storytime - The Hungry Caterpillar

Fun Storytime Session followed by Stay & Play.

This session is a free event and no booking required. It is suitable for children under 5.

One-off event: Under 5's Storytime

Monday 18 August

10am - 11am

Storytime - Winnie Wagtail

Fun Storytime Session followed by Stay & Play.

This session is a free event and no booking required. It is suitable for children under 5.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Saturday 9 August

10am - 12pm

Take part in our frog craft

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Saturday 16 August

10am - 12pm

Make your own kite

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Saturday 23 August

10am - 12pm

Garden themed craft and Lego Club

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Saturday 30 August

10am - 12pm

Story Garden themed craft

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Thursday 7 August

10am - 2pm

Bookworm Bookmark

Come along and create your own bookworm bookmark, perfect for keeping your page in your summer reads!

This is suitable for children under 12. Free of charge and no booking required.

One-off event: Family craft

Thursday 14 August

10am - 2pm

Potter's Wheel

Come along and have some creative painting fun with our travel potter's wheel!

This is suitable for children under 12. Free of charge and no booking required.

It is advisable to come wearing old clothes.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Thursday 21 August

10am - 2pm

Bird Feeder

Come along and create your very own bird feeder to take home and perfect for the birds in your garden!

This is suitable for children under 12. Free of charge and no booking required.

It is advisable to come wearing old clothes.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Thursday 28 August

10am - 2pm

Ladybird Lifecycles

Come along and learn about the lifecycle of a ladybird and get creative in making your very own to take home with you!

This is suitable for children under 12. Free of charge and no booking required.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Thursday 21 August

2:30pm - 4:30pm

Magical Adventure Stories - Enjoy an enchanting storytime in our magical wood.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Monday 4 August - Saturday 9 August

During library opening hours

Cress heads

Make your very own cress head! Watch them grow a thick head of cress hair over the summer. How will you style it?

This event is part of the Summer Reading Challenge, and is suitable for children under 12. It is free of charge and no booking required. It's a drop-in event during library opening hours.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Monday 11 August - Saturday 16 August

During library opening hours

Garden pull-alongs

What's living in the garden? Create a garden themed pull-along craft.

This event is part of the Summer Reading Challenge, and is suitable for children under 12. It is free of charge and no booking required. It's a drop-in event during library opening hours.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Monday 18 August - Saturday 23 August

During library opening hours

Craft Catch up

Missed any crafts over the Summer Holidays? Don't worry! Nip in to the library for our Craft Catch up.

This event is part of the Summer Reading Challenge, and is suitable for children under 12. It is free of charge and no booking required. It's a drop-in event during library opening hours.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Tuesday 26 August - Saturday 30 August

During library opening hours

Lollipop Flowers

Get creative and make your very own lollipop flower. What colours will you choose?

This event is part of the Summer Reading Challenge, and is suitable for children under 12. It is free of charge and no booking required. It's a drop-in event during library opening hours.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Monday 28 July - Tuesday 2 September

During library opening hours

Blooming Hedgehogs

Create your very own garden friend; floral, bright and fun. Add some colour to our library garden.

This event is part of the Summer Reading Challenge, and is suitable for children under 12. It is free of charge and no booking required. It's a drop-in event during library opening hours.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Saturday 5 July - Friday 5 September

During library opening hours

Bees and Butterflies

Want to track your progress through the Summer Reading Challenge? You can! Decorate your bee or butterfly to see them fly along to the finish line.

This event is part of the Summer Reading Challenge, and is suitable for children under 12. It is free of charge and no booking required. It's a drop-in event during library opening hours.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Thursday 7 August

10.30am - 11.30am

Story Garden Craft Session


A Story Garden Craft session. Part of the Summer Reading Challenge 2025. Suitable for children aged 4 - 11 with a parent/carer. Free of charge and no booking required. Children must be supervised by a parent/carer.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Thursday 14 August

2pm - 3pm

Story Garden Craft Session


A Story Garden Craft session. Part of the Summer Reading Challenge 2025. Suitable for children aged 4 - 11 with a parent/carer. Free of charge and no booking required. Children must be supervised by a parent/carer.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Saturday 5 July - Saturday 6 September

During library opening hours

Story Garden Hunt the Character Quiz

Find the Story Garden Characters hidden around the Library and enter the prize draw! Part of the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge. Suitable for children aged 4 - 11 with a parent/carer. Free of charge and no booking required.

One-off event: Family craft

Thursday 7 August

11am - 12pm

Roarsome Dragons!

Make your own dragon design from an egg box and scare your friends with this creature's chomping action!

This activity is free of charge and no booking required. It is suitable for children under 12.

One-off event: Family craft

Thursday 14 August

11am-12pm

Sizzling Sunflower Masks!

Ever wondered what you would look like as a sunflower? Now is your chance as you can create your very own paper plate sunflower mask to wear! 

This activity is free of charge and no booking required. It is suitable for children under 12.

One-off event: Family craft

Thursday 21 August

11am - 12pm

Split Pin Superstars!

Use one of our numerous fantastical templates to create your own split pin superstar! Or use our blank template to create your very own character!

This activity is free of charge and no booking required. It is suitable for children under 12.

One-off event: Family craft

Thursday 28 August

11am - 12pm

Fantastic Fairy Doors!

Create a doorway into your imagination by creating your very own fairy door! Which fantastical creature will be living behind your door?

This activity is free of charge and no booking required. It is suitable for children under 12.

One-off event: Family craft

Friday 8 August

10.30am - 3pm

Vibrant Plants

Make your very own Vibrant Plant in our drop in craft session. Will it have petals, leaves, thorns or ears!

This event is suitable for children under 12, and children under the age of 8 must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. It is a free event and no booking is required.

One-off event: Family craft

Friday 15 August

10.30am - 3pm

Magical Creatures - Dragons

Create your own flying dragon in our drop in craft session. Choose your colours and don't forget the flames!

This event is suitable for children under 12, and children under the age of 8 must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. It is a free event and no booking is required.

One-off event: Family craft

Friday 22 August

10.30am - 3pm

Enchanting Landscapes

Use a variety of materials with different textures to design your own enchanting landscape. The more magical the better Let your imagination go wild.

This event is suitable for children under 12, and children under the age of 8 must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. It is a free event and no booking is required.

One-off event: Family craft

Friday 29 August

10.30am - 3pm

Dig into book characters

Dig into your favourite book and make a collage of your favourite character or an inspirational person, at our drop in craft session.

This event is suitable for children under 12, and children under the age of 8 must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. It is a free event and no booking is required.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Friday 1 August

10am - 2pm

Join us to celebrate Harry's birthday. We will be writing secret messages, getting sorted by the sorting hat and having a quiz trail for you to try. So, get your wands ready and jump on your broom to fly down to Warsop Library.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Tuesday 5 August

10am - 2pm

Use old socks and tights to create your own garden character - then sow it some cress for hair!

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Tuesday 12 August

10am - 2pm

Make a badge featuring one of this year's Summer Reading Challenge characters

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Tuesday 19 August

10am - 2pm

Pop in and create a plant pot wind chime to hang in your garden using old plant pots, beads and keys!

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Tuesday 26 August

10am - 2pm

Help us create a beautiful display of pipe cleaner flowers to celebrate the end of summer

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Wednesday 6 August

2pm - 3pm

Paper Bugs

Join us for some free, family friendly, drop-in craft activities. No booking necessary. Parental supervision required at all times.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Thursday 7 August

2pm - 3pm

Fairy/Wizard House

Join us for some free, family friendly, drop-in craft activities. No booking necessary. Parental supervision required at all times.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Sunday 10 August

1pm - 3pm

Magnetic Poetry

Join us for some free, family friendly, drop-in craft activities. No booking necessary. Parental supervision required at all times.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Monday 11 August

2pm - 3pm

Origami Butterflies and Bookmarks

Join us for some free, family friendly, drop-in craft activities. No booking necessary. Parental supervision required at all times.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Thursday 14 August

2pm - 3pm

Butterfly Collage

Join us for some free, family friendly, drop-in craft activities. No booking necessary. Parental supervision required at all times.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Sat 16 August and Sun 17 August

1pm - 3pm

Giant Games

Join us for some free, family friendly, drop-in craft activities. No booking necessary. Parental supervision required at all times.

This activity takes place on Saturday 16 August and Sunday 17 August, 1pm - 3pm.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Monday 18 August

2pm - 3pm

Design your own Garden

Join us for some free, family friendly, drop-in craft activities. No booking necessary. Parental supervision required at all times.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Thursday 21 August

2pm - 3pm

Garden Pop Up Cards

Join us for some free, family friendly, drop-in craft activities. No booking necessary. Parental supervision required at all times.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Saturday 23 August

2pm - 3pm

Shadow Play

Join us for some free, family friendly, drop-in craft activities. No booking necessary. Parental supervision required at all times.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Wednesday 27 August

2pm - 3pm

Beehive Mobiles

Join us for some free, family friendly, drop-in craft activities. No booking necessary. Parental supervision required at all times.

One-off event: Children's activities linked to Summer Reading Challenge

Thursday 28 August

2pm - 3pm

Mini Pond

Join us for some free, family friendly, drop-in craft activities. No booking necessary. Parental supervision required at all times.