The Reader is hosting a free family festival this weekend

An outdoor courtyard takeover at The Reader’s Storybarn in Calderstones Park, Liverpool on Sunday 1 September, 11am to 5pm, will include a Tell a Tale tent, Imagination Station, face-painting, games and live music. Free entry.

National charity The Reader is celebrating the end of summer with a free one-day family-friendly festival.

Storybarn Fest at The Storybarn, Calderstones Park, Liverpool, on Sunday 1 September, 11am – 5pm, is the perfect way to round off the summer holidays. The outdoor courtyards of The Storybarn and Ice Cream Parlour will be transformed into a vibrant, colourful family hub.

Highlights will include a creative craft Imagination Station for children, Tell a Tale storytelling tent, face-painting, story-building parachute games, live music from the Singing Mamas and of course, award-winning ice cream by small, independent family producer, Cheshire Farm.

Martyna Puciato, co-manager of The Storybarn, said:

“The Storybarn will be open for drop in all day and families will be able to explore it for free.

“We will be taking over the outdoor Ice Cream Parlour and Storybarn courtyards, bringing them to life with a Tell a Tale tent filled with cosy blankets, pillows and bookshelves for children to explore, plus regular storytelling sessions and face-painting.

“There will be an Imagination Station where children can take part in Storybarn-inspired crafts from creating their own hot air balloons, toilet roll robots and monster headbands to colouring in Storyhunters.

“We will also have a relaxed room in the Hide Out with sensory toys where people can chill if it gets too much.

“It is set to be a magical day, full of imaginative play and stories for all ages.”

Storybarn Fest! will also see the launch of The Storybarn’s new weekly autumn timetable along with announcements of upcoming seasonal Halloween and Christmas activities for families.

The Storybarn is a magical reading retreat for children and their grown-ups founded by national Shared Reading charity The Reader and set in the heart of beautiful historic Calderstones Park.

It hosts a variety of weekly children’s activities inspired by stories and books from Tiny Acorns, Teeny Tales, Incy Wincy Rhymers, School Holiday Clubs and Storybarn Relaxed Sessions, as well as a wide range of seasonal events and birthday parties.

Makers at the Mansion, also happening on the same day at The Reader’s home inside the Grade II listed Mansion House and gardens from 11am – 5pm. It will be showcasing the best local independents and handmade candles, soaps, jewellery, home décor, clothing, art, crafts and more.

Visitors will also be able to find out more about the history of The Storybarn, and The Reader’s work as a charity running more than 420 Shared Reading groups across Liverpool, the UK and internationally where people meet weekly to connect and share experiences through stories and poems. Groups are free and open to all.