
Summer Activities
Come and get creative at Idea Store this summer!
Join us for storytelling, games and arts and crafts that will spark your child's creativity and ignite their imagination. In addition to our exciting summer events, we're still offering our regular children's activities throughout the summer:
Story Time Monday - Saturday, 10:30am |
Art Club Saturdays, 3 - 4pm |

Idea Store Bow
Special Event: Secret Explorers Workshop with Cat and Hutch
Friday 25 July, 11.30 – 12.30pm
The Secret Explorers are a band of brainiac kids from around the world, each with a special skill. In this workshop we follow Ollie, the rainforest expert, and journey into the rainforests of Borneo, discovering its unique ecosystem, on a mission to rescue a baby orangutan. For ages 6-9
LEGO® Build the Change
Tue 29 July, 3-4pm
Bumble Bees
We need you to help the bees! Come and build your ideas with LEGO Bricks.
Special Event: Rez Kabir Storytelling
Wednesday 30 July, 11.30-12noon and 2.30-3pm
Stories in English with elements of Bangla. There will be lots of fun and hand puppets. Join us for interactive family entertainment performed by storyteller Rez Kabir.
Bow Code Breakers
Thursday 31 July, 3-4pm
There are lots of secret messages hidden around the Idea Store, and they’re all in code! See how many you can find and see if you can work out what they say.
Mixed Up Monsters
Tuesday 5 August, 3-4pm
Come and meet the strangest monsters around, and see if you can find their descriptions, hidden all over the place.
Map it Out
Thursday 7 Aug, 3-4pm
Put your map-reading to the test, and find the secret patterns being drawn out in the Idea Store!
Special Event: Kev Sutherland Comic Workshop
Tuesday 12 August, 11:30am
Join comic artist Kev to find out all there is to know about making comic strips and manga and create your own comic strip.
Treasure hunt: Treasure beyond the covers!
Thursday 14 Aug, 3-4pm
A thrilling treasure hunt through children’s books, where clues hidden “beyond the covers” lead young readers on an adventurous journey.
LEGO® Build the Change
Tuesday 19 August, 3-4pm
Come and build your solutions to help us reduce waste. We need your ideas!
Dig up Dinosaurs
Thursday 21 Aug, 3-4pm
Ever wanted your own little dinosaur skeleton? Dig up the bones and put them together… but first you must find the right ones!
Special Event: Fortress model-making
Friday 22 August, 3-4pm
Learn about the defensive structure of the Tower of London and design and make your very own model fortress.
LEGO® Build the Change
Tuesday 26 Aug, 3-4pm
Help us with ideas to increase the amount of recycling that Tower Hamlets does.
Among Us in Real Life
Thursday 28 Aug, 3-4pm
Ever played Among Us with your friends online (or just watched someone play it)? Bring your friends to the Idea Store and play it for real! Try to finish your tasks on time… and try to survive!

Idea Store Chrisp Street
Face Painting
Saturday 12 July, 2-3pm
Come along to our Summer of Fun Reading Challenge launch and choose to make a mask of your favourite book character or get your face painted like one! Suitable for all ages.
Drama Workshop
Thursday 24 July, 3-4pm
Become an actor for an hour and perform a short play or a Shakespeare classic. Suitable for ages 7-15.
Special Event: Secret Explorers Workshop with Cat and Hutch
Friday 25 July, 2.30 – 3.30pm
The Secret Explorers are a band of brainiac kids from around the world, each with a special skill. In this workshop we follow Ollie, the rainforest expert, and journey into the rainforests of Borneo, discovering its unique ecosystem, on a mission to rescue a baby orangutan. For ages 6-9.
LEGO® Build the Change
Thursday 31 July, 11-12pm
Love LEGO? Want to tackle climate change? Come and see how LEGO can help with ideas on how to make the world a better place.
Diary of the Wimpy Kid Activity
Friday 1 August, 3-4pm
Make your very own Wimpy Kid diary! Suitable for ages 5-15.
Dogman Treasure Hunt
Monday 4 August, 2:30-3:30pm
Explore and discover the hidden clues amongst the library books with the Dogman team. Treasure awaits the winner! Suitable for ages 3-15.
LEGO® Build the Change
Friday 8 August, 3-4pm
Love LEGO? Want to tackle climate change? Come and see how LEGO can help with ideas on how to make the world a better place.
Special Event: Kev Sutherland Comic Workshop
Tuesday 12 August, 3pm
Join comic artist Kev to find out all there is to know about making comic strips and manga and create your own comic strip.
Board Games
Thursday 14 August, 3-4pm
Join us for a fun board games afternoon! Suitable for ages 3-15.
Code Club
Saturday 16 August, 11-12pm
Come along and get a taste of our new Code Club! Suitable for ages 5-15.
LEGO® Build the Change
Saturday 16 August, 3-4pm
Love LEGO? Want to tackle climate change? Come and see how LEGO can help with ideas on how to make the world a better place.
Special Event: Rez Kabir Storytelling
Sunday 17 August, 1.30-2.30pm
Stories in English with elements of Bangla. There will be lots of fun and hand puppets. Join us for interactive family entertainment performed by storyteller Rez Kabir.
Walking Through the Jungle
Thursday 21 August, 11-12pm
Paint the jungle and see all the animals come alive with our special interactive story and reading session.
Special Event: Puppetry and movement workshop
Tuesday 26 August, 3-4pm
Discover the many animals which used to live at the Tower of London and practise the art of puppetry.
Sand Art
Thursday 28 August, 3-4pm
A day on the beach in your local library as you create a mini seaside keepsake. Suitable for ages 4-15.
Grow Your Own Watercress
Friday 29 August, 3-4pm
Discover your green finger and learn how to grow your own watercress! Suitable for ages 4-15.

Idea Store Watney Market
Decorate for the Summer of Fun!
Friday 25 July, 2-4:30pm
Come along for an afternoon filled with crafts to help decorate our Children's Library!
Special Event: Terrie Chilvers – Snails of the Unexpected.
Tuesday 29 July, 3-4pm
Join Terrie to hear about her new book and Fergus and Shelby’s mission to save humankind from being turned into lettuces by an evil slug masquerading as the Prime Minister. There will also be an interactive mollusc and bug quiz, a workshop to suggest your own stories as well as a chance to make something to take home.
Design a Bookmark
Wednesday 30 July, 3-4pm
Design and make your own personalised bookmark to use all summer long!
LEGO® Build the Change
Monday 4 August, 3-4pm
Love LEGO? Want to tackle climate change? Come and see how LEGO can help with ideas on how to make the world a better place.
Design a Superhero
Wednesday 6 August, 3-4pm
It's time to get creative and invent your own superhero with their own costume and powers!
Let's Write a Story!
Monday 11 August, 3-4pm
Join us to play consequences- where we will take it in turns to write a silly story together!
LEGO® Build the Change
Wednesday 13 August, 3-4pm
At this workshop we will play and build with LEGO® bricks to find solutions to make our world more green and sustainable.
Special Event: Interactive storytelling with History Riot
Thursday 14 August, 3-4pm
Learn a bit about a famous story from the Tower of London by meeting a historical character. Expect to join in, move around and go on a journey through history!
Special Event: Now That’s What I Call A Story!
Tuesday 19 August, 11.30am
Join The Drama Geezers for an interactive storytelling extravaganza, where children take the reins in crafting a brand-new tale through imaginative play. Together, they'll weave a narrative filled with whimsical characters and wild escapades, bringing the story to life before their very eyes.
Board Games Afternoon
Friday 22 August, 3-4pm
Come along with your family and friends for a fun filled afternoon of puzzles and games!
LEGO® Build the Change Workshop
Wednesday 27 August, 3-4pm
Join us at this fun workshop where we will try to build solutions with LEGO® bricks to challenges such as climate change and protecting endangered animals.

Idea Store Whitechapel
Cotton Swab Flower Painting
Tuesday 29 July, 3-4pm
Join us for a blooming good time as you explore your creativity with cotton swab flower painting!
Next Stop Family Workshop
Thursday 31 July, 2.30pm
Next Stop takes a trip to Whitechapel as we host a creative workshop for families! Turn your everyday public transport journeys into a board game adventure. Together, you’ll design game boards, create, invent and come up with playful challenges inspired by your travel journeys and experiences on buses, trains, or any way you get around the borough. A great way to get creative, share stories, and take home your very own game. Adults must be accompanied by a child.
Ice Cream Craft
Tuesday 5 August, 3-4pm
Join us for a cool and creative session and make your own ice cream, no drip, just fun!
Special Event: Rez Kabir Storytelling
Wednesday 6 August, 11.30-12noon and 2.30-3pm
Stories in English with elements of Bangla. There will be lots of fun and hand puppets. Join us for interactive family entertainment performed by storyteller Rez Kabir.
LEGO® Build the Change
Thursday 7 August, 2-3.30pm
Join us at this fun workshop where we will try to build solutions with LEGO® bricks to challenges such as climate change and protecting endangered animals.
Rainbow Sun Craft
Tuesday 12 August, 3-4pm
Bring a burst of colour and sunshine into your day with Rainbow Sun Craft!
Watermelon Fan
Thursday 14 August, 3-4pm
Beat the heat with a super cool Watermelon Fan you make yourself! It’s colourful, fun, and just like a juicy slice of summer.
Special Event: Now That’s What I Call A Story!
Tuesday 19 August, 3pm
Join The Drama Geezers for an interactive storytelling extravaganza, where children take the reins in crafting a brand-new tale through imaginative play. Together, they'll weave a narrative filled with whimsical characters and wild escapades, bringing the story to life before their very eyes.
LEGO® Build the Change
Thursday 21 August, 2-3.30pm
Come along to play with LEGO® bricks and work on solutions to challenges such as climate change and protecting endangered animals.
Jelly Fish Suncatcher
Tuesday 26 August, 3-4pm
Make a magical jellyfish that shines in the sunlight! This fun craft lets you create a colourful suncatcher that wiggles and glows when the sun comes out.
LEGO® Build the Change
Thursday 28 August, 2-3.30pm
At this workshop we will play and build with LEGO® bricks to find solutions to make our world more green and sustainable.
Special Event: Create your own family crest
Friday 29 August, 3-4pm
Learn about the families of the Tower of London and create your own family crest and shield.

Bethnal Green Library
Story Cubes
Mon 21st July 3-4pm
Create your own story cubes—roll them and let your imagination take you on a wild adventure! Perfect for sparking creativity and telling tales in the most unexpected ways.
LEGO® Build the Change
Thursday 24 July 3-4.30pm
Come along to play with LEGO® bricks and work on solutions to challenges such as climate change and protecting endangered animals.
Special Event: Terrie Chilvers - Snails of the Unexpected
Tuesday 29 July, 3-4pm
Join Terrie to hear about her new book and Fergus and Shelby’s mission to save humankind from being turned into lettuces by an evil slug masquerading as the Prime Minister. There will also be an interactive mollusc and bug quiz, a workshop to suggest your own stories as well as a chance to make something to take home.
Flower Prints
Thursday 31 July 3-4pm
Make your own petal and leaf stamps from scratch. Use them to create a beautiful bunch of flowers.
LEGO® Build the Change
Monday 4 Aug 3-4.30pm
At this workshop we will play and build with LEGO® bricks to find solutions to make our world more green and sustainable.
Paper Roll Spider
Thursday 7 Aug 3-4pm
Join us for a fun craft session where you’ll turn ordinary paper rolls into adorable pipe cleaner spiders!
Percy Pinecone Pineapple
Monday 11 Aug 3-4pm
Get creative with Percy Pinecone Pineapple, where we’ll paint and decorate real pine cones with googly eyes and all the quirky flair you can imagine!
Sock Puppets
Thursday 14 Aug 3-4pm
Transform a boring sock into a puppet. Will yours have a scary, snaky smile or a pretty, purple perm on its head? YOU get to decide. Customise your sock with fabulous features then make it talk, sing and perform.
LEGO® Build the Change
Tuesday 19 Aug 3-4.30pm
Join us at this fun workshop where we will try to build solutions with LEGO® bricks to challenges such as climate change and protecting endangered animals.
Wand Making
Wednesday 20 Aug 3-4pm
Join us for a magical wand-making session—craft your own enchanted wand with ribbons, bells, and leaves, oh my!
Badge Making
Thursday 28 Aug 3-4pm
Get creative and design your very own personalized badge – make something that’s truly one of a kind!

Cubitt Town Library
LEGO® Build the Change
Thursday 24 July 4-5pm
Come along to play with LEGO® bricks and work on solutions to challenges such as climate change and protecting endangered animals.
Laminated place mat
Tuesday 29 July 3-4pm
Make your dinner time more exciting with your very own place mat design.
Aquarium
Wednesday 30 July 3-4pm
Create your own underwater wonderworld in a jar.
LEGO® Build the Change
Thursday 31 July, 4-5pm
At this workshop we will play and build with LEGO® bricks to find solutions to make our world more green and sustainable.
Mini Garden
Tuesday 5 August 3-4pm
Design your own tiny garden and make it bloom!
Hand Fan
Wednesday 6 August 3-4pm
Cool yourself down in style with your fan.
LEGO® Build the Change
Thursday 7 August 4-5pm
Join us at this fun workshop where we will try to build solutions with LEGO® bricks to challenges such as climate change and protecting endangered animals.
T-shirt Design
Tuesday 12 August 3-4pm
Decide how you would want your favourite T-shirt to look.
Special Event: Rez Kabir Storytelling
Wednesday 13 August, 11.30am and 2.30pm
Stories in English with elements of Bangla. There will be lots of fun and hand puppets. Join us for interactive family entertainment performed by storyteller Rez Kabir.
LEGO® Build the Change
Thursday 14 August, 4-5pm
Come along to play with LEGO® bricks and work on solutions to challenges such as climate change and protecting endangered animals.
Badge Making
Tuesday 19 August 3-4pm
Get creative and design your very own personalized badge.
LEGO® Build the Change
Thursday 21 August 4-5pm
At this workshop we will play and build with LEGO® bricks to find solutions to make our world more green and sustainable.
Hot air balloons
Tuesday 26 August 3-4pm
Decorate your own hot air balloon with colourful pom poms.
LEGO® Build the Change
Thursday 28 August 4-5pm
Join us at this fun workshop where we will try to build solutions with LEGO® bricks to challenges such as climate change and protecting endangered animals.

Attended one of our special events?
We hope you and your child enjoyed our special summer event! Your feedback is important to us. Please take a moment to share your thoughts and suggestions to help us improve future events. Thank you for your time!
Sign up to the Reading Challenge!
We want you to read and tell us all about the books that you read this summer. Come along to any Idea Store or Library and pick up your Summer of Fun booklet, and join the challenge. You can pick up stickers and a prize along the way, and receive a certificate when you have finished. The reading challenge is fun, free and easy to take part in.