Exeter Children’s Venue Alibi and St Thomas Library join forces to create a story wonderland during half-term
Free drop-in event celebrates National Year of Reading with week-long programme of stories, crafts, and creativity
Families across Exeter and the wider region are invited to step into a wonderland of free creative activities for children this February half-term.
Children’s venue Alibi are teaming up with St Thomas Library to present The Story Box (16-21 February) celebrating the 2026 National Year of Reading.
Emmanuel Hall, home of both Alibi and St Thomas Library, will transform into a giant library filled with cosy reading corners, creative play spaces, and a welcoming café.
The free drop-in event runs daily from 10am-4pm throughout the week, with storytelling sessions, hands-on activities and workshops to inspire young readers, writers and drama enthusiasts.
Daily highlights include:
• Free morning story time at 11am: perfect for little ones
• Origami making, crafting, and reading corners: available all day
• Café serving hot drinks and snacks
• Free co-working space: a chance for grown ups to catch up with emails while children take part
in drop-off workshops
Special workshops and events:
• Monday 16 Feb: Manga workshop with artist Keith Sparrow (£7, ages 8+); storytelling and craft
activities with Books from Herbie exploring kindness and belonging
• Tuesday 17 Feb: Drama workshop - Agent Alibi the Book Detective (Pay What You Can, ages 8+)• Wednesday 18 Feb: On-the-spot poem writing with local poet Harula Ladd (free, 11am-3:30pm);
Woven in Nature craft workshop (£2, ages 4+)
• Thursday 19 Feb: Poetry writing workshop with Bookbag and poet Sirisha Damarla (Pay What
You Can, ages 10+); drop-in children's gardening with Zero Mile Gardens
• Friday 20 Feb: Interactive songs and storytelling with Laura Loft
• Saturday 21 Feb: Origami workshop with CreArts Lab (Pay What You Can, ages 8+)
"We're so happy to be teaming up with the brilliant St Thomas Library to create this story-filled wonderland. The Story Box is all about celebrating the magic of reading in a relaxed, playful environment where families can drop-in, explore together and let their imaginations run free,” said Debbie Bucella, Alibi CEO.
The Story Box is suitable for children of all ages. All children must be accompanied by a grown-up in drop-in areas, workshops are drop-off. Emmanuel Hall has step-free access and an accessible toilet.
