Colour & Build at the Library: Turning Reading into Making
Couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of visiting a local library to run a Colour & Build 3D Paper Craft session with children from the community and it was a wonderful reminder of the power of hands-on learning.
From the moment the session began, the room filled with excitement. Children were eager to get started, but before any colouring or building began, there was something important to do first: read the challenges.
Each child worked through simple maths and English puzzles to unlock their colour codes. This meant reading instructions carefully, thinking through problems, and applying what they had learned before picking up their colouring pencils. Watching children pause, re-read, help one another, and proudly announce when they had solved a clue was a highlight of the session.
Once the codes were unlocked, creativity took over. Children coloured their templates, folded carefully, and assembled their own 3D paper models. Some worked quietly and independently, while others collaborated, shared tips, and compared designs. Every model was different — and every child was proud of what they had made.
What stood out most was how naturally reading, problem-solving, and creativity came together. This wasn’t reading for the sake of reading, or crafting for the sake of craftin, it was purposeful, playful learning.
As we celebrate the UK Year of Reading 2026, sessions like this show how reading can extend beyond books and into real-world making. When children read with a purpose, learning becomes active, memorable, and fun.