Do it for the plot: go on a spring side quest. Consider these your field assignments for spring. Our side quests are designed to get you outside, trying new things, and embracing a little analog adventure along the way. Pick one, gather your friends, follow your curiosity, and see where it takes you.
Each time you complete one of the side quests below and post it on social media, be sure to tag @BookSparks, #SPRC2026 and #WildForBooks. Each post counts as an entry for both our biweekly book giveaways as well as our grand prize!
story-inspired side quests
From learning how to read tarot cards and planting your own apothecary herb garden to baking homemade fortune cookies, swapping routines with a friend, and heading out on a nature walk, these side quests bring your favorite Spring Reading Challenge books to life. They’re perfect for trying as soon as you finish a book from the lineup.
Trade routines with your bestie
Things are about to get freaky Friday! Grab your bestie and list out what your typical day looks like. After you’re done, swap routines for the day.
Recommended Playlist:
Let’s Go Outside!
Learn to read tarot cards
Nothing like a little spring magic. Grab a tarot deck, check out a tarot reading guide from your local library, and see what this spring has in store for you and your friends. Already know how to read tarot cards? Teach your besties or host a tarot card reading night.
Recommended Playlist:
After the Sun Sets…
Bake homemade fortune cookies
Put on your apron because we’re making homemade fortune cookies! Search up a recipe and bake some fortune cookies. Don’t forget to write some special fortunes before baking.
Recommended Playlist:
Steady Wins the Race
Try a new sport
Let’s go outside! We love reading sports romances just as much as we love trying new things. Have you heard of underwater hockey? What about Cycleball? There are so many new things to try!
Recommended Playlist:
Let’s Go Outside!
Make your loved ones their favorite meal
Learning to make one of your loved ones favorite recipes can bring so much joy. Ask your family and friends what their favorite meal is and follow a recipe to surprise them with a dish made by you.
Recommended Playlist:
Steady Wins the Race
Visit a haunted historical monument
It’s never too early to get in the spooky spirit! Grab as many friends as you can and visit a public historical monument or place known to be haunted. Since it’s spring, hopefully things are a little bit less scary.
Recommended Playlist:
After the Sun Sets…
Start an apothecary herb garden
Herbs like calendula, peppermint, lavender, and chamomile are staples in any apothecary, thanks to their well-known healing properties. Plant your own small garden this spring. Be sure to use small pots so you can bring them inside when the weather cools down later in the year.
Recommended Playlist:
After the Sun Sets…
Journal a letter to your younger self
Take your field guide notebook outside and write a letter to your younger self. Think about the seasons of growth you’ve moved through, the challenges you’ve faced, and the perspectives you’ve gained. Use the page to document where you’ve been and where you are now.
Recommended Playlist:
Steady Wins the Race
Stay up all night reading under the stars
As the days grow longer and the nights get warmer, indulge your inner book worm by staying up an entire night to finish a book (or three) somewhere outside under the stars.
Recommended Playlist:
After the Sun Sets…
Start a journal
Put the phone down and pick up a pen. Journaling is your low-tech reset and a place to dump the thoughts, celebrate the wins, and make space for whatever’s next.
Recommended Playlist:
After the Sun Sets…
Plant a flower garden
Spring is the perfect time for personal growth and fresh starts. Grab some seed paper, write down something you’re ready to release, and head outside to plant it in the ground or in a pot. As the flowers grow, let them serve as a reminder of change, care, and new beginnings.
Recommended Playlist:
Steady Wins the Race
Go on a hike or nature walk in the forest
Grab some friends and head to the nearest forest for a hike or nature walk. Bring a field guide for local trees and plants to help you identify them.
Recommended Playlist:
Let’s Go Outside!
side quests for spring
Let the new season inspire you to get outside and embark on new adventures. Whether you stop by your local farmers market to pick up some fresh produce, send a loved one a letter in the mail, or arrange a bouquet for your home to bring in some color, we’ve put together spring side quests to help you turn an ordinary day into something a little more memorable.
Attend an outdoor concert or live show
Visit a garden nursery
Go to a farmer’s market
Host a golden hour picnic
Have a craft day outdoors
Bake a treat featuring a fruit in season
Send a letter in the mail
Attend a yoga class in the park
Make a flower bouquet
Start a spring scrapbook
Volunteer at an organization that’s important to you
Fly a kite
Track and share your side quest adventures with our punch card Instagram Story templates. Be sure to tag @BookSparks, #SPRC2026 and #WildForBooks.
side quests for reading
Now that the weather is warming up, it’s time to bring your reading outdoors. From reading in the park on a sunny afternoon to cozying up at a new coffee shop with one of your favorite books or buddy reading something new with one of your besties, these quests are an invitation to mix up your reading routine.
Read at the park
Join a book club
Go on a walk and stop by as many Little Free Libraries as you can
Read a book with “Spring” in the title
Go on a bookstore crawl
Attend a (or plan your own) reading retreat
Buddy read a book
Watch a book-to-screen adaptation
Attend an author event
Read at a new coffee shop
Go for a walk outside while listening to an audiobook
Read a book with a flower on the cover