Summer Reading Challenge underway at Castelnau Library — free Lego sessions included
28 July 2026 · By Boroughly editorial — AI-assisted, human-reviewed.
The borough-wide Summer Reading Challenge is now running and runs until Saturday 5 September, giving children a structured reason to keep reading — and building — through the holidays.
This year's theme is Read to the Beat, which weaves music into the challenge and encourages children to explore the connections between stories and songs. Signing up is free at any Richmond borough library, and children log the books they read over the summer to complete the challenge.
For Barnes families, the most directly relevant news is that Castelnau Library is one of three venues hosting free Lego building sessions. All materials are provided; adult supervision is required. The sessions are drop-in and child-friendly, making them a handy option on a quieter weekday.
Live music events are taking place at Richmond Lending Library and Teddington Library in August, featuring The Patch Players and the Teddington Ukulele Players — worth the short trip if the children fancy something a bit different.
Full event dates and booking details for all sessions across the borough are listed on the council's dedicated page. Read more and find session times on the Richmond Council website