Junior journalist opportunities
Explore the press opportunities for children and young people in the UK. From press events and festivals to book reviews and competitions, First News helps aspiring reporters gain real journalism experience.
If you are interested in any of the current opportunities below, please email [email protected]. For junior journalist reports, we require 150-200 words and a few hi-res photos of your experience. We welcome reports from everyone, regardless of ability!
We update this page regularly with new opportunities. Last updated: 30/09/26.
Invite to Alice Immersive Wonderland
What? A junior journalist is invited to journey down the Rabbit Hole and review Alice Immersive Wonderland.
Opening at Dock X Canada Water in November, the experience invites visitors to journey through ten immersive spaces as they explore Alice’s extraordinary story.
Explore mind-bending spaces including the Doors Room and the hypnotic Den of the Caterpillar before venturing into the Queen’s Court, meeting iconic character along the way.
When? From 13 November.
Where? Dock X, Surrey Quays Road, London, SE16 2XU.
Find out more at aliceimmersivewonderland.com.
Visit Dickensian London: The Magic Lantern City
What? A new exhibition is launching at the Charles Dickens Museum all about the famous writer’s life in London.
Visitors can check out an original manuscript for Oliver Twist, Dickens’s walking stick, the front door knocker from his home in Camden Town and lots more.
A junior journalist is invited to the Charles Dickens Museum, where Dickens lived, to write a review of the exhibition for First News.
When? From 21 October.
Where? The Charles Dickens Museum, 48-49 Doughty Street, London WC1N 2LX.
Find out more at dickensmuseum.com.
Invite to ‘Larger Than Life: Starring Wallace & Gromit, Shaun and More’
What? Aardman is celebrating its 50th birthday with a brand-new experience at London’s Lightroom!
The immersive experience will invite audiences to step directly into the joyful worlds of the likes of Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and Morph.
A junior journalist is invited along to write a review for First News.
When? From 14 October.
Where? Lightroom, Lewis Cubitt Square, London, N1C 4DY.
Find out more at lightroom.uk.
Scare us silly with YOUR spooky story!
What? Wimpy kids, listen up – First News has teamed up with the one and only Jeff Kinney to launch a splendidly spooky writing competition!
You know Jeff – he’s the creator of the world-famous Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. He’s just released Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories 2, a new collection of spooky stories involving Greg Heffley’s best friend Rowley. Now, he wants to read yours!
Here’s how to enter!
Jeff has sent us four spooky story starters (below) to get you going. Choose one from A, B, C or D. Then, take it from there yourself!
Complete a spine-tingling tale in 400 words, and email it in to us at [email protected], with Spooky Story as the subject, by 2 October. We’ll select a shortlist of our favourites and send them to Jeff. He will then pick his favourite.
The winner will bag a signed copy of Spooky Stories 1 and 2, AND we’ll print the winning story for all to see in the 30 October issue of First News!
To enter: email us at [email protected] putting ‘Spooky Story’, in the subject box or visit first.news/comps.
Feature in Your News!
If you want to be a junior journalist for First News and go to cool press events or write about something that you’re passionate about, get in touch by asking a trusted adult to email us at [email protected].
Write a book review and have it featured in First News!
Do you have thoughts on a book you have read recently that you want to share with others? Why not write a book review for us? Here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Write 100-120 words on any type of book – chapter books, graphic novels, fiction, non-fiction… even audiobooks are all welcome! No person, reader type, format or genre is excluded
- Tell us what the book is about, what you most enjoyed about it, how the book made you feel and if you had any favourite parts
- Suggest which type of reader would enjoy it
- A picture of the reader holding the book is welcome, too, but not essential
- You could even submit a review as a whole class
Send all book reviews in to [email protected] or by clicking the button below.