{"id":67136,"date":"2026-02-20T14:39:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T14:39:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shefnews.co.uk\/?p=67136"},"modified":"2026-03-09T16:14:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T16:14:55","slug":"doncaster-launches-ar-treasure-hunt-to-boost-childrens-reading","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shefnews.co.uk\/index.php\/2026\/02\/20\/doncaster-launches-ar-treasure-hunt-to-boost-childrens-reading\/","title":{"rendered":"Doncaster Launches AR Treasure Hunt to Boost Children’s Reading"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

According to the National Literacy Trust, just 1 in 3 children and young people aged 8 to 18 said that they enjoyed reading in their free time in 2025. A statistic Doncaster Council hopes to change with a new interactive treasure trail in the city centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The free AR experience, running until March 15, follows Doncaster’s approval as an official World Book Day\u00ae location. Families can register online before visiting a series of interactive stops across the city. Scanning QR codes to unlock digital content, a free book and the chance to win \u00a350 in book vouchers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

City of Doncaster Councillor James Church, who has been one of the main promoters behind the event, said the initiative is designed to combine technology with traditional reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said: \u201cWe\u2019ve been approved as a World Book Day location, and we\u2019ve got a trail running through Doncaster until the 15th of March. It\u2019s free for families; you register and explore interactive locations across the city.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cllr Church also said the activity “aligns perfectly with our goals to create a welcoming, vibrant city centre.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

World Book Day\u00ae is a charity on a mission to help every child enjoy the magic of reading. The hunt supports that goal by making books accessible and interactive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cllr Church added: \u201cIt\u2019s an opportunity to have a ramble through Doncaster, unlock a free book, and even win \u00a350 in book vouchers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo credit: World Book Day\u00ae<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Doncaster Council events team paid \u00a3500 to take part in the national initiative. The technology powering the trail has been provided by High Street Safari, with QR scans allowing organisers to measure engagement levels. Council officials say the data gathered will help shape future projects in the city centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond prizes and footfall, the wider aim is to encourage reading among young people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cllr Church said: \u201cLess than a third of children in Yorkshire read a book in their spare time, that\u2019s worrying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaybe children have forgotten what it\u2019s like to pick up a book. This initiative can help encourage that again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While organisers hope the trail will help build better reading habits, the long-term impact may take time to assess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doncaster has hosted previous AR trials before, with the latest one being the ‘Walk with the Snowman in Doncaster’, which finished in late January. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to take part in the treasure hunt, sign up here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An interactive trail across the city was set up to celebrate World Book Day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":816,"featured_media":67367,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[415,11,21,16,82,1],"tags":[58,549,281],"class_list":["post-67136","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-education","category-news","category-top-stories","category-top-story","category-uncategorised","tag-doncaster","tag-family","tag-world-book-day"],"yoast_head":"\nDoncaster Launches AR Treasure Hunt to Boost Children's Reading - ShefNews<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The free AR experience, running until March 15, follows Doncaster's approval as an official World Book Day location. 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