Can you donate £3 a month to help raise empathy-educated generations? Donate today
Empathy Day Festival 2026
To celebrate the National Year of Reading, we’re Going All In for connection. Dive into NEW challenges, BRILLIANT author events, EXCITING content and so much more!
From 18 May, access ALL of our fabulous pre-recorded films for all ages, from Early Years through to KS3. Watch in advance to help you start planning which films you want to share and when.
Empathy Day Assembly
Featuring S.F. Said
Recommended for ages 7-13, Key Stage 2& Lower KS3, P3-S2
Use our new assembly slide deck to jump into someone else’s story and read, connect and act.
Empathy Day Assembly
In Wales
Recommended for ages 7-13, Key Stage 2 and Lower KS3, P3-S2
Pre-recorded assemblies in English & Welsh with author/illustrator, Huw Aaron. Versions available for both primary and secondary.
Draw with Rob
For all ages
Our annual empathy-themed draw along with superstar illustrator, Rob Biddulph. Step-by-step inspiration for all ages.
10-20-minute interactive films featuring top authors & illustrators. Expect readalouds and interactive activites. All films available to view from 18 May.
Rachel Bright
Recommended for ages 4-7, Key Stage 1/ P2-3
Explore feelings and finding connection with others
Patrice Lawrence
Recommended for ages 7-11, Key Stage 2/ P5-7
Explore buried secrets and long lost connections
Kristina Rahim
& Ian Eagleton
Recommended for ages 7-11, Key Stage 2/P5-7
Explore and celebrate families of all kinds
Nathanael Lessore
Recommended for ages 11-14, Key Stage 3-4/ S1-3
Explore what happens when our online and offline identities collide
Cariad Lloyd &
Tom Percival
Recommended for ages 4-7, Key Stage 1/ P2-3
Explore a gentle story of grief and how we can support each other
Chanté Timothy
Recommended for ages 7-11, Key Stage 2/ P5-7
Explore how to create your own “Supa” graphic novel characters
Michael Rosen
Recommended for ages 11-14, Key Stage 3-4/ S1-3
Explore the courage of refugees in a true World War II story
Cathy Reay &
James Catchpole
Recommended for ages 11-14, Key Stage 2-3/S1-3
Explore and celebrate real-life stories of disability
Take the Empathy Challenge
Choose your favourite Challenge activities & accompanying printables as the basis of your festival activity.
Develop perspective-taking skills and build connection with others, explore emotions language and be inspired to take social action.
Try one, two or all nine – involve adults and the wider community.
Take the challenge your way – in short sessions or over a longer period of time.
Read
Connect
Act
Empathy Choice
Share your favourite empathy-building read.
Help us create a nationwide library full of brilliant empathy-boosting reads. Add your choice and tell us why – we want to hear your voice!
Empathy Glasses
Designed by Ramzee
Cut out & decorate your Empathy Superpower Glasses.
Wear them to remind you to look from the perspective of others.
Empathy Resolutions
Put empathy into action by choosing & committing to an Empathy Resolution.
ChooseONE thing which makes a difference to the lives of others around you.
Empathy Book Club
Start an Empathy-themed book club – at home, school, your local library or bookshop.
Coming soon!
In collaboration with
The Big Lunch:
Sharing Stories
Join the annual Big Lunch celebration (5-8 June) by hosting a story-themed get-together in your school, street or community to share stories, food, fun and friendship.
In collaboration with
Empathy Comic Strip
Create your own empathy-themed comic strip.
Use our storyboards – think carefully about your characters, how they feel and what they experience.
Empathy Character
Connect with a character and jump into their story.
Create a character ‘feeling file’. How do they feel inside and what’s happening on the outside?
Empathy Exchange
Get to know someone better.
Use our conversation prompts to connect and find out what really makes them tick. Questions have been written by young people from across the UK.
Coming soon!
Empathy News
Celebrate the good things in your community.
Seek out FIVE good things happening this week. Create a GOOD NEWS display, newspaper article, blog or video to share widely.
Help us create a nationwide library full of brilliant empathy-boosting reads. Add your choice and tell us why – we want to hear your voice!
Superhero Masks
Create your own Superhero Masks
Get crafty using our templates.
Set up a colourful display to celebrate everyone’s brilliant designs. Host a short parade where older children share their empathy superpowers with their parent or carer.
Empathy Resolutions
Put empathy into action and create your own Empathy Day Festival bunting.
What small actions can YOU promise to take which will make things better for others?
Decorate the Empathy Day Festival bunting templates with drawings, scribbles or words that show what being kind means.
The Big Lunch:
Sharing Stories
Host a story-themed Big Lunch (5-8 June) in your setting or community.
Invite parents and carers in to share stories, food, fun and friendship.
In collaboration with
Empathy Tree
Celebrate the good things in your setting or community.
Stick or paint a large tree on a wall and attach pre-made leaves every time someone says or does something kind for another person.
Write or draw on the leaf to remind you why the leaf is being added, then watch together as your tree grows its beautiful leaves.