Poole, Dorset, has launched a free interactive treasure hunt for families to celebrate World Book Day and the National Year of Reading. The Poole Business Improvement District is running the event from February 12, 2026, to March 15, 2026, to encourage children to enjoy reading while exploring the town centre.
The trail begins at Poole Library inside the Dolphin Centre and leads participants to 10 different book zones hidden in local shop windows. Families can use their smartphones to scan markers at these spots, which uses technology from High Street Safari to make 3D characters like unicorns and astronauts appear on the screen.
This activity is the first part of the new month-long Poole Town Book Festival and supports a government campaign to boost interest in books. The national project, which uses the slogan Go All In, officially started on January 13, 2026, to help more children find joy in reading.
By following the trail, families can find hidden letters to solve a mystery word while visiting various shops across the town. The project is a partnership between local organisers and the World Book Day charity to bring stories into the heart of the community.
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