Comic Club 4 Kids

A relaxed, inclusive club for ages 7–15 to read, draw and explore comics, make friends, and enjoy a safe creative space. Comic Club 4 Kids is a welcoming space for children who are already well into their comics – or who are curious to explore more. It’s a place to read, draw, imagine, and connect with other children who love comics just as much as they do. PLEASE NOTE: children must be accompanied by a guardian during the club sessions and we require both kids and guardians to register as attendees in order to monitor session numbers. There’s no pressure, no strict timetable, and no “right” way to take part. Each session is designed to be flexible, letting children choose what they feel like doing on the day – whether that’s curling up with a comic, trying out a new one, sketching characters, building stories, or dipping into artist-led tutorials. What's included • A selection of Phoenix comics and comic books, kindly donated by The Phoenix and by the club founder (for use during sessions) • Activity sheets and creative prompts • Workshop videos and tutorials from comic artists, including paid-for content from The Phoenix • A safe, calm space to read, draw, write, and experiment • Time and space to meet like-minded children who share a love of comics Children are also encouraged to bring their own comics if they’d like to share them or simply read quietly. If they do, we ask that they label them with a sticker or name so everything can go home safely afterwards. How the sessions work There is very little structure by design. This is a space to try things out, follow interests, and move between activities freely. Some children may spend the whole session reading; others might draw, write, or watch a tutorial. All of that is welcome. The sessions take place at Lancaster University Library, who are kindly supporting the club by donating the space. Inclusion & accessibility We strongly believe in inclusion for all. The library space is accessible, and we aim to make the club welcoming, respectful, and comfortable for every child. The age range (7–15) is based on our own experiences of comics and our children’s interests. If your child is slightly younger or older and you feel this would be the right space for them, please get in touch – we’ll always try to be flexible where possible. Due to space limitations, we ask that sessions are mainly attended by children who will benefit from the club. That said, if you need to bring a younger or older sibling along, let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate. If the club proves very popular, we’ll explore options for larger spaces. Practical things to know • A parent or carer will be asked to sign a simple club policy before the first session (covering respect for others, looking after books, not sharing photos without permission, etc.) • Food and drinks are welcome, but no hot food please • Comics provided by the club are to be respected and well looked after during sessions How the club began Comic Club 4 Kids started at home. We’re Paul and Caroline, parents to Layla (9) and Arthur (7). Arthur, in particular, is obsessed with The Phoenix comics (Layla loves them too), and his collection just keeps growing. We looked for a club where he could share that love with others – somewhere relaxed, creative, and genuinely welcoming. We couldn’t find the right fit, so we decided to create it ourselves. This club is about giving children who love comics a place to belong: to read, draw, share, and feel comfortable being exactly who they are. A note for families This is our first time running a club, and we want to be open about that. Comic Club 4 Kids is very much a for-families, by-families project. We’ll be learning as we go, listening carefully, and making improvements over time as we gain experience. We might not get everything perfect straight away, and we really appreciate your patience and kindness as we navigate this new adventure together. What matters most to us is creating a space that feels safe, inclusive, and welcoming for everyone.