Summer in Sutton 2026
Thu 11/06/2026
Take Part in the Summer in Sutton Challenge
Looking for a fun way to keep children active, creative and curious during the summer holidays? The Summer in Sutton Challenge is back, giving children and families a chance to explore reading, wellbeing, local activities and events across the borough.
The challenge encourages children to complete six activities over the summer. At least two of these activities must be reading challenges, helping children keep up their reading habits while school is out.
The four challenge categories are:
- Reading
- Physical activities
- Mindfulness
- Attending events
Children can choose from a range of activities, from reading a book, eBook, magazine or audiobook, to taking part in physical activities, trying a mindful moment, or joining one of the fantastic Summer in Sutton events taking place across the borough.
Celebrate summer with local events
A big part of the Summer in Sutton Challenge is discovering the brilliant events happening locally.
This summer, children and families can take part in a wide range of Summer in Sutton events delivered by local artists and practitioners. These sessions are a chance to try something new, get creative, learn new skills, and connect with culture and creativity close to home.
From arts and crafts to creative workshops, wellbeing activities and cultural experiences, the events are designed to inspire children and give families new ways to enjoy the summer holidays together.
Attending a Summer in Sutton event can also count towards completing the challenge, so it is a great way to make progress while enjoying something fun and memorable.
Explore the full Summer in Sutton events programme.
Get inspired by recommended reads
Reading is at the heart of the challenge, and children need to complete at least two reading activities as part of their six challenges.
To help children and families choose what to read, Sutton Libraries has created a Resilient Futures Recommended Reads list. These books support the themes of creativity, confidence, wellbeing and resilience, giving children stories and ideas that can help them reflect, imagine and grow.
Discover the Resilient Futures Recommended Reads.
What kind of activities count?
The Summer in Sutton Challenge is designed to be flexible, accessible and fun. Activities might include:
- Reading for 20 minutes
- Listening to an audiobook
- Choosing a book from the Resilient Futures Recommended Reads list
- Visiting a local swimming pool
- Trying a mindfulness activity
- Joining a Summer in Sutton event
- Completing a craft activity
- Visiting a museum or cultural venue
Whether children love books, sports, crafts, exploring new places or trying something calming and creative, there will be plenty of ways to take part.
New for this year: log your activities in an app
This year, we are making it even easier for families to take part. Children will be able to log their Summer in Sutton activities directly in an app, making it simple to keep track of their progress throughout the summer.
More information about how to access and use the app will be shared soon.
Why take part?
The Summer in Sutton Challenge is about more than keeping busy during the holidays. It is designed to support children’s wellbeing by encouraging them to read, move, explore, create and take time for themselves.
By bringing together reading, physical activity, mindfulness and local events, the challenge helps children and families discover new opportunities in Sutton while building positive habits for health and wellbeing.
It is also a chance to celebrate the amazing cultural, creative and community spaces across the borough, including libraries, museums, parks and local activity providers.
Through events delivered by local artists and practitioners, children can experience creativity first-hand and see how culture can support confidence, connection and wellbeing.
Complete the challenge
To complete the Summer in Sutton Challenge, children need to finish six activities in total, including at least two reading activities.
Children who complete the challenge will receive a certificate, and completed challenges will also be entered into a prize draw, with prizes sponsored by local partners.
The Summer in Sutton Challenge is a great way for children and families to enjoy the holidays, discover what Sutton has to offer, and build confidence, creativity and resilience along the way.
More details, including how to sign up and how to use the app, will be announced soon.