A practical guide packed with flexible, easy-to-organise ideas for celebrating World Book Day across your secondary school. From quick five-minute activities to run in tutor time, through to whole-school displays and reading clubs, these activities connect reading to the five wellbeing themes while building community and encouraging peer recommendation. The guide works whether you are planning a single day or a week-long celebration.
Why it works
Secondary schools face unique challenges when celebrating World Book Day, including timetable constraints and teenage self-consciousness. This guide provides low-barrier, flexible activities that fit into existing structures like form time or lunch periods. By focusing on peer-to-peer sharing and welcoming all reading formats, the activities reduce pressure and build genuine enthusiasm. Linking activities to wellbeing gives the celebration educational credibility while appealing to students’ interest in mental health and self-care.
Who is it for
- Secondary teachers with limited planning time
- Form tutors looking for meaningful activities
- Librarians building reading communities
- PSHE coordinators linking to curriculum
- Student leaders organising peer events
How to use it
Select activities that suit your time, space, and staffing. Run one five-minute activity each day for a week, hold a single lunchtime event, or create ongoing initiatives. Activities range from individual reflection to whole-school participation, allowing flexibility. Brief form tutors or student leaders to run some independently. Adapt suggestions to fit your school’s culture and students’ interests.
Get started
Read through the guide and highlight the activities that appeal. Decide which activities work best at different points in the school day or week. Gather simple resources such as paper, pens, or display space. Brief staff about the purpose and approach, emphasising that all reading formats count. Encourage students to contribute ideas or lead activities. Start small with one or two activities rather than attempting everything at once.
Further Jigsaw resources
Part of the World Book Day + Jigsaw PSHE 2026 collection
This activities guide brings together all your secondary resources in practical ways. Use it after your Assembly to maintain momentum, providing structured activities that reflect the wellbeing themes. The guide references the Reading celebration template for book swaps and displays, and points students to the Reading suggestions for inspiration. All activities connect back to the wellbeing framework introduced in your Assembly. Visit the Jigsaw partner page for the full pack and downloads:
- Reading suggestions
- Reading celebration template
Use of World Book Day resources
These resources are free to use for schools, early years settings, libraries, charities, and community groups celebrating World Book Day. Commercial organisations must have a partnership or licence agreement in place before using World Book Day assets. If you are interested in working with us, please contact partnerships@worldbookday.com.
