FUN PALACES

Fun Palaces - sharing skills, connecting communities, creating tiny revolutions.

Our celebrations take place on Saturday 4th October 2025. 

Reading Libraries will join hundreds of Fun Palaces nationally and internationally set to explode with FREE and fun activities for all. 

This Fun Palace was created by Reading Libraries sharing and celebrating the skills of everyone. Join us on Saturday 4th October and master new skills from your neighbours, share hobbies with friends old and new and celebrate the passions and enthusiasms of all of us. 

Fun Palaces is an ongoing national and international campaign nurturing and supporting the potential and positivity of sharing people's enthusiasms, passions and skills with their own local community. Fun Palaces has an annual weekend of events each October, although Fun Palaces can also happen at any time of year.

Every Reading library will host events - watch this space!

Caversham Library

Caversham Library, Church Street, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8AU

Caversham Library Becomes Caversham Castle! 

To celebrate Fun Palaces on Saturday 4th October, Caversham Library is enchanted for one day only, transforming into Caversham Castle - a place of royal crafts, fairy-tale storytelling, and community magic!

All Day Activities - Running from Monday 30th September to Saturday 4th October 

Royal Bunting Creation: Help decorate the library with magical bunting fit for a fairy-tale kingdom. 

A Magical Trail: Embark on a quest filled with mystical characters and solve fairy-tale riddles to reunite a noble knight with their unicorn steed! (Stickers to be won!) 

Caversham’s Own Cardboard Castle: Add your mark with a sticker to Caversham’s cardboard fortress - each sticker represents a member of our community. 

Timetabled Activities - Saturday 4th October 

10:30–11:30 - Crown & Tiara Workshop: Craft your own regal headwear – perfect for princes, princesses, kings and queens! 

(Suitable for children aged 4–11 – drop in and create!) 

12:00-12:45 - Storytime with Reading Rep Theatre: A spellbinding performance of fairy-tale favourites, exclusive to Caversham Library. Meet fairy-tale princesses, climb the beanstalk with Jack, and save the world from villains to live happily ever after! 

(Booking required, phone on 0118 9375103 – spaces are limited!) 

13:00–14:00 - Collage with Jenny Robins: Join local artist and author of Biscuits (assorted) for a collage-making session. 

(Open to all ages – drop in and create! Biscuits will be provided!)

Central Library

Abbey Square, Reading, RG1 3BQ

Saturday 4th October 11.00am - 2.00pm

Join us for a day of colourful children's activities and book related crafts. 

Drop-in, no need to book. 

Palmer Park Library

Palmer Park Library, St Bartholomews Road, Reading, RG1 3BQ

Saturday 4th October 10.30am -12.30pm

Come and have a go at clay modelling!

Drop-in, come and have a go! All welcome. 

Southcote Library

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

Saturday 4th October 10.30am - 12.30pm 

Join Southcote Library and Southcote Community Association for a Fun palace at Southcote Library and a morning of autumn themed crafts and activates. Make a leaf monster or a hedgehog getting ready for hibernation.

Drop in no need to book. Suitable for children 3+. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tilehurst Library

Tilehurst Library, School Road, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 5AS

Saturday 4th October 10.30am - 2.30pm

Drop-in, no need to book

Try a selection of fun crafts

Whitley Library

Whitley Library, South Reading Community Hub, Northumberland Avenue, Reading, RG2 7QA

Saturday 4th October 10.00am - 12.30pm

Junk Modelling

Use our supplies and your imagination and see what you can build.

Lego Club

Come along to our regular Lego Club and amaze us with your creations!

All welcome