First Year Challenges

Quizzes and puzzles to play

The First Year Challenges Collection

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Explore the Collection

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Harry Potter Pins Collection

The first year flying quiz

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The first year friendship quiz

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The first-year Hagrid quiz

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The First Year Magical Creatures Quiz

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Play our silliest words wordsearch!

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Our Wizarding World app users may have already played our wordsearches and crosswords, but now, we're popping a few on our website so everybody can have a go.

The theme for this particular one is rather silly words - all in the spirit of Magical Mischief month. See how quickly you can find these ridiculous words - hopefully the wordsearch won't be like Peeves and behave itself.

Simply click and drag to find all the words...

<iframe width="600" height="650" src="https://bridgecard.wizardingworld.com/wordsearch/20200317/00013" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Fancy playing our other free puzzles? Be our guest.

[Try our Triwizard Tournament wordsearch here. ](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/wizarding-world-triwizard-tournament-wordsearch)
[Try our Wizarding World books crossword here. ](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/wizarding-world-books-crossword)

Wizarding World Gold subscribers can play weekly challenges in our app feed, with a few treats thrown in for free-users too. You can learn more about [Wizarding World Gold here. ](https://www.wizardingworld.com/about-gold?gclid=CjwKCAiAhc7yBRAdEiwAplGxXxd32IayJKnEscllKgsPU4_IPOqy9bD51W21pSP5saL64lLwzoU7lBoC1wYQAvD_BwE)

Try our Harry Potter wordsearch!

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Search for the magic words and drag your cursor across the letters.

How quickly can you crack it?

<iframe width="600" height="650" allowtransparency="true" style="background: #FFFFFF" src="https://bridgecard.wizardingworld.com/wordsearch/20191224/00001/" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>



The First Year Feasts & Treats Quiz

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The first year magical locations quiz

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The first year Muggle quiz

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Illustration of Harry Potter's eyes, by Brian Selznick

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Reading Harry Potter for the first time? The First Year Challenges collection is exactly what you need to accompany you on your first ever journey to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Play our puzzles and challenge yourself with our first year quizzes. Good luck! 

The first year pets quiz

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Bringing Hogwarts to You

Harry Potter At Home

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Harry Potter At Home brings you magical treats to keep you entertained, including quizzes, puzzles, crafts.

Thank you to everyone for watching all of our contributors over the past months. Our video series has now ended.

A trip down memory lane with Harry Potter At Home 

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This year, the Wizarding World family all banded together on a very magical project, where a collection of free initiatives were introduced to help children, parents, carers and teachers find comfort and [escapism through the Harry Potter stories](https://www.wizardingworld.com/news/seven-ways-lifelong-fans-and-first-time-readers-showed-their-love-for-hpah). This culminated in the Harry Potter At Home hub – to the delight of both new and familiar fans.  

Watch how the journey unfolded just below.  

A trip down memory lane with Harry Potter At Home

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Now, the time has come to say goodbye to the Harry Potter At Home hub, which, among many things, saw both familiar faces and a few new friends get together to read the first Harry Potter story, *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone/Sorcerer’s Stone.*

To everyone who took part, the Wizarding World thanks you for joining us on this incredible journey.  

But the magic doesn’t end here. You can take part in our many craft tutorials, quizzes, puzzles and family-friendly activities for all ages, simply by exploring wizardingworld.com.

*[Sign up to the Harry Potter Fan Club](https://my.wizardingworld.com/register) to get all of our latest updates before anyone else.*

Crafting Magic

Magical Creations

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Craft your own Luna Lovegood-style Spectrespecs

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Take a look at our fun guide here - or visit [our other craft videos](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/crafting-magic) for more artistic inspiration! 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/XWnb6bTZvQg?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

If you want to download our Spectrespecs template and try your own, [you can do so right here.](https://assets.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/4es0p732vRbEh12WybLaKd/4b737fa13100568e32a0aacf3190d493/Spectrespecs_Template.pdf)

Watch out for Wrackspurts, now. 

Learn how to craft wizarding shopfronts

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First of all, here is how to make the base of your wizarding shopfront.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/YoON1_I16zY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

And if you're not sure which shop to make, how about starting off with Ollivanders' wand shop?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/fA15gWI10Q8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> 

And now for something a tad scarier... recreate the Dark wizarding shop from Knockturn Alley, Borgin and Burkes.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/mK5Qrnxl1Bk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Or perhaps you'd like to recreate this staple of Hogsmeade: the iconic sweet shop, Honeydukes?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/E6wC93myoyE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

If this lovely video tutorial has got you in the mood to make more magic, why not visit our [Crafting Hub](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/crafting-magic) for more excellent guides.

Create your own Aragog

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Hagrid kept Aragog as a pet when he was still at Hogwarts. This Acromantula king might have been a friend to Hagrid, but he wasn’t so keen on Harry and Ron when they ventured into the Forbidden Forest. Are you brave enough to take on this eight-legged crafting challenge? 

Follow the spiders and learn how to make a paper mache Aragog in the video tutorial below ...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/26F5fG3n2Rc" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>


For more of our arts and crafts videos, check out our [Crafting Magic page](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/crafting-magic "Crafting Magic"), as well as our [Wizarding World YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChPRO1CB_Hvd0TvKRU62iSQ "Youtube"). 
And for even more stay at home fun, check out our [Harry Potter At Home hub](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/harry-potter-at-home "HPAH hub"), and bring the magic to you!


Create your very own Hogwarts castle

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Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is one of the most magical places in the whole wizarding world. Eleven-year-old witches and wizards lucky enough to receive their Hogwarts letters, board the Hogwarts Express, disembark at Hogsmeade, and sail across the lake to get their first glimpse of the twinkling lights and towering turrets belonging to one of the best schools of magic in the world. 

Today, bring Hogwarts into your home, as we teach you how to build your very own castle in three video tutorials. 

## Hogwarts Castle Build Part 1: The Great Hall

The Great Hall at Hogwarts is a very special place, because it’s where the Sorting Ceremony happens for first years when they arrive at the school. Once the ceremony is over, the feast begins, and Dumbledore makes his start of term speech – which is bound to be a little wacky! 

Here’s how to build the Great Hall section: 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EPwpD2JScnE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[You can download the instructions for Part 1 here!](https://assets.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/2bQbWyOvu7y4bCha1OVT4m/5ead31d3b771dffeae4c9e9715efdca9/Video_1_The-Great-Hall_Instructions.pdf)

And if you want to find out which house you would be sorted into in the Great Hall then you can take the Sorting Ceremony on our website here.

## Hogwarts Castle Build Part 2: The Grand Staircase Tower

The towers are a particularly iconic part of the Hogwarts castle. In this video you’ll be giving the castle it’s unique look, adding the Headmaster’s Tower that houses Dumbledore’s office – a place Harry Potter visits on many occasions!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i6jnuldXJ8c" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[You can download the instructions for Part 2 here!](https://assets.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/5TbOSKeEDpXdM76FIVZAVL/462caa91c80efecdbdb6074228c8715d/Video_2_The-Grand-Staircase-Tower_Instructions__2_.pdf)

## Hogwarts Castle Build Part 3: Paper Mache and Paint

The Hogwarts castle was home for Harry Potter, who never really felt like he belonged with the Dursleys – even before he found out he was a wizard! This is the final video where we teach you how to put the finish touches – including adding a base – to your Hogwarts castle creation! We hope it brings a little magic and helps you dream of going back to Hogwarts. 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rUtl1S5bN9I" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[You can download the instructions for Part 3 here!](https://assets.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/4wnmzXlZGHBekhjg0IPfqA/8407514e2d4d922903ec93de2ab02af9/Video_3_Paper-Mache-and-Paint_Instructions.pdf)

But that’s not all! For more of our arts and crafts videos, check out our [Crafting Magic page](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/crafting-magic), as well as our [Wizarding World YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChPRO1CB_Hvd0TvKRU62iSQ).


Learn how to make your very own broomstick charm

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Ever wanted your very own Nimbus Two Thousand? Watch this video and learn how to make a mini broomstick charm. Madam Hooch would be proud! 


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pIz1dxzL9-I" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>


And if you're a fan of Quidditch, why not take our [First Year Quidditch Quiz](https://www.wizardingworld.com/quiz/first-year-quidditch-quiz "First Year Quidditch Quiz")? 

You can find more of our arts and crafts videos on the [Crafting Magic page ](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/crafting-magic "Crafting Magic page"), as well as on our [Wizarding World Youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChPRO1CB_Hvd0TvKRU62iSQ "Wizarding World YouTube").

Learn how to make a wizard’s hat keyring

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We know Uncle Vernon wouldn’t approve of this wizard’s hat keyring – he didn’t even like cloaks, let alone the ultimate wizarding accessory! 

But we know you’re absolutely going to love this easy-to-make clay keyring! Watch the video below and get crafting… 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b8cmeg0TKhU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

For more of our arts and crafts videos, check out our [Crafting Magic page](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/crafting-magic "Crafting Magic"), as well as our [Wizarding World YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChPRO1CB_Hvd0TvKRU62iSQ "YouTube"). 

For more [Harry Potter Reading Magic](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/starting-harry-potter) - join us back at the hub for more activities, quizzes, puzzles and beyond.

Make your own Hogwarts-style paper quills

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School work at Hogwarts always sounds rather fun. Not only do the wizarding students learn about magical creatures, potions, defensive spells, and all sorts of other exciting things, but they also get to write with quills and parchment. 

And now you can too! Watch the video below and learn how to make a Hogwarts-style paper quill ¬so good, that you can pretend you bought it in Diagon Alley… 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p8NRTApzDYE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

For more of our arts and crafts videos, check out our [Crafting Magic page](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/crafting-magic "Crafting Magic"), as well as our [Wizarding World YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChPRO1CB_Hvd0TvKRU62iSQ "Youtube"). 

And for even more stay at home fun, check out our [Harry Potter At Home hub](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/harry-potter-at-home "HPAH hub"), and bring the magic to you!


Learn how to make your own Popping Chocolate Frog

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The humble Chocolate Frog holds a special place in our hearts – after all, it was one of the first things Harry and Ron bonded over and the very first Christmas gift he received from Hermione.
Now you can have the opportunity to create your own and (unlike normal Chocolate Frogs) you can decide which witch or wizard you would like on your Chocolate Frog Card. Watch the video below to find out how to make it...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Gu3ImIzqp4s?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

If the Popping Chocolate Frog has left you feeling inspired, you can find plenty more exciting activities in [Crafting Wizardry by Insight Editions](https://insighteditions.com/products/harry-potter-crafting-wizardry). 
Jam-packed with over 25 different crafts for all skill levels and sprinkled with behind-the-scenes insights, it will certainly inspire your creativity. 

[Download your Popping Chocolate Frog template here.](https://assets.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/1a4UmIac1EAUssPp7eyMqR/aa19f7e44b3410d5dc7341f853543d1c/HPCrafting_Choc_Frog_templates_020221_-_FINAL_TEMPLATES.pdf)

Learn how to make your own lightning bolt keyring

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Growing up with the Dursleys, Harry’s lightning bolt scar was the only thing he really liked about his appearance. Fast forward to Harry’s first year at Hogwarts, and his scar was just about as famous as him!

Watch this video tutorial and learn how to make your very own lightning bolt keyring.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eKGbT2a0-GY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

For more of our arts and crafts videos, check out our [Crafting Magic page](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/crafting-magic "Crafting Magic"), as well as our [Wizarding World YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChPRO1CB_Hvd0TvKRU62iSQ "Youtube"). 

And for even more stay at home fun, check out our [Harry Potter At Home hub](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/harry-potter-at-home "HPAH hub"), and bring the magic to you!


Make your very own Weasley Clock in our latest craft tutorial

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We hope you make the time (get it?) to try your hand at your own family clock, inspired by the Weasley one. Watch below.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/9voJIxnAnGI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

If this lovely video tutorial has got you in the mood to make more magic, why not visit our [Crafting Hub](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/crafting-magic) for more excellent guides.

Make your own Whomping Willow in our easy video tutorial

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Recreate the famous moment from *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets* where an unruly car meets an unruly tree. Except this version is far cuter. Enjoy! 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/hh3DywCKLnY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

For more crafting fun and games, [try out some of our other tutorials.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/crafting-magic)

Welcome to the craft section. Bring the wizarding world into your home through the magic of making things! We've got videos for creative types both new and familiar to the stories, that will help you make all kinds of wizarding-inspired creations – from your very own Ravenclaw shoelaces to a Weasley scarf...

Learn how to draw Norbert the Norwegian Ridgeback

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Norbert may have caused Harry, Ron and Hermione all kinds of trouble – not to mention a detention in the Forbidden Forest – but with the 20th anniversary of the first Harry Potter film around the corner, it made perfect sense to have a crafting tutorial all about this lively baby beast. Watch the video below and learn how to bring your own Norbert to life...

Make it Magic | How to draw Norbert

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If this video has left you in the mood for making some more magic, why not have a look at our [Crafting Hub](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/crafting-magic)? There you can find our other video tutorials.

Norbert the dragon wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but Hagrid adored them (and we have a soft spot for them too). Learn how to draw your own baby dragon in this tutorial.

First Year Readers

Fun for first-time readers

The First Year Readers Collection

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Ten words you need to know when reading the first Harry Potter book 

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## 1.	Wand: 
Implement used by wizards to perform magic. Available from Ollivanders in Diagon Alley.

## 2.	Muggle: 
Person totally without magical powers. Most Muggles live in ignorance of the world of wizards and witches.

## 3.	Galleon: 
Gold wizarding money.

## 4.	Poltergeist: 
A mischievous spirit.

## 5.	Herbology: 
Study of plants. Professor Sprout is the Herbology teacher at Hogwarts.

## 6.	Remembrall:
Magical glass ball, the size of a large marble, filled with white smoke. The smoke turns red to tell you that there is something you have forgotten to do.

## 7.	Centaurs:
Half-man, half-horse creatures. Centaurs live in the Forbidden Forest.

## 8.	Quidditch: 
The wizarding national sport. Played on broomsticks by seven players.

## 9.	Transfiguration:
The art of turning one thing into another.

## 10.	 Seeker: 
Quidditch player who tries to catch the Golden Snitch.

Want more wizarding words? The rest of our [Harry Potter Glossary is available on the Bloomsbury website here](https://harrypotter.bloomsbury.com/uk/fun-stuff/glossary/ "Harry Potter Glossary Link"), taking you through words and definitions from all seven books. 

__Illustration by Jim Kay © Bloomsbury Publishing Plc__

Make your very own scrapbook of Harry Potter characters

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With Scholastic's scrapbook activity, you can make a fun record of your favourite characters from the Harry Potter stories. All you need to do is write the name of the book you're reading, choose a character, draw their picture, and then list ten things you know about them.

Here are some of the characters Scholastic would include in their scrapbook to get you started...

## Albus Dumbledore:

The Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We love his silver hair, silver beard and half-moon spectacles – as well as the purple cloak he wears to Privet Drive!

## Hedwig:

Harry Potter’s snowy owl. We love the story of Hagrid buying her for Harry when he takes him to Diagon Alley for his school supplies. She’s beautiful, loyal and very good at delivering letters.

## Rubeus Hagrid:

Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We’d definitely include this loveable giant in our scrapbook. He’s kind, funny, and he has a flying motorbike!

## Mr Ollivander:

Mr Ollivander is a wandmaker. Harry visits his shop in Diagon Alley to buy his holly and phoenix feather wand. We think he’s a very interesting character, and he makes us curious about the history of the wizarding world.

## Oliver Wood:

Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Wood teaches Harry all about the wizarding sport, Quidditch. We love this character because he’s brilliant at being Gryffindor Keeper, and he’s very competitive for his team.

## Minerva McGonagall:

Head of Gryffindor house and Transfiguration teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We’re including Professor McGonagall in our scrapbook because she’s excellent at magic – she can turn herself into a cat! And we’re too scared we would get detention if we don’t!

## Neville Longbottom:

Gryffindor student with a troublesome toad. Neville might not be top of the class, but he tries his best, and that’s what’s important. And if you read to the end of the first Harry Potter book – you might understand even better why we would be proud to have him in our scrapbook…

To start making your own Harry Potter scrapbook, visit Scholastic’s activity page, download and print out as many blank scrapbook pages as you need! And if you’re reading other books as well as Harry Potter, you can build scrapbooks for the characters that appear in those, as well!

[You can download the scrapbook template right here.](https://www.scholastic.com/content/dam/teachers/lesson-plans/migrated-files-in-body/scrapbook.pdf)

Find twenty fantastic facts about Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

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__1.__	When was Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone first published?


__2.__	How many words does Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone contain?


__3.__	Which chapter of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is J.K. Rowling’s favourite?


__4.__	Can you guess, to the nearest ten, how many languages Harry Potter has been translated into?


__5.__	Who was Nicolas Flamel?


__6.__	Do the names of the Hogwarts houses change when the books are translated?


__7.__	On which date does term begin at Hogwarts?


__8.__	Did the school subjects always have the same names in J.K. Rowling’s early notes?


__9.__	How many times does the name Harry Potter appear in the first book?


__10.__	 How many times does the name Lord Voldemort appear in the first book?


__11.__	 Where does the name Voldemort come from?


__12.__	 The US version of the first Harry Potter book was published under what title?


__13.__	 What is Harry’s first word in the book?


__14.__	 Which spell incantations appear in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone?


__15.__	 What is the Hogwarts motto?


__16.__	 What is special about 31 October 1991?


__17.__	 On the twentieth anniversary of the first book, if all the Harry Potter books ever sold had been placed end to end, how many times would they have gone around the equator?


__18.__	In early drafts of the first book, did Draco Malfoy have a different surname?


__19.__	 When is Fred and George Weasley’s birthday?


__20.__	 What is special about the knocker at the entrance to the headmaster’s office at Hogwarts?

                                   ***
                               

You might not know the answers to many of these questions, but we bet you want to find out! 

To discover the answers to all these fascinating questions, head over to Bloomsbury’s website and [search this beautiful infographic](https://harrypotter.bloomsbury.com/uk/harry-potter-20/20-fun-facts/ "Bloomsbury 20 infographic").

The ABCs to Reading for Pleasure

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## A.	
__Audio books__ mean the whole family can listen together.

## B.	
Books at __bedtime__ are a great way to wind down the day.

## C.
__Children's books__ on the shelves are always a familiar, comforting read (we have all seven Harry Potter books on ours!).

## D.	
Reading allows us to __discover__ new worlds, new people (like Harry, Ron and Hermione), and new events.

## E.	
__Everyone__ can read the same book and talk about it together.

## F.	
Reading takes us to __fun, faraway__ places (like Hogwarts)

## G.	
Sharing a book you love with a family member makes a great __gift__.

## H.	
The best kind of __homework__? Free reading!

## I.	
__Infinite__ possibilities exist with reading.

## J.	
Great __joy__ exists upon finishing a whole series. (And sometimes a little sadness, too!)

## K.	
When you __know__ better, you do better. Reading helps us to know more so we can do better.

## L.	
__Learning__ to read is one of the coolest, most amazing and magical processes ever.

## M.	
Reading __motivates__ you to learn more, try new things, and reach for the stars.

## N.	
Every day you can meet __new people, places, and ideas__ with books.

## O.	
Reading allows you to learn about different __options and opinions__.

## P.	
Anything is __possible__ with reading (especially magic). 

## Q.	
__Questions__ are answered with reading.

## R.	
__Reading__ aloud to a loved one or friend is time well spent.

## S.	
Our favourite way to __spend__ our time? Reading makes time fly (particularly when there are broomsticks involved)!

## T.	
Reading __transforms__ lives.

## U.	
Books take you to __unusual and unique places__ (like the Forbidden Forest). 

## V.	
Finding new authors and new series is one of our __very favourite things__.

## W.	
You can read __wherever__ you want in the house—no need to sit at a desk or wait until bedtime.  

## X.	
There's something for everyone with reading: __eXactly__ what every person needs. 

## Y.	
__You__ always have a pal when you pick up a book.

## Z.	
Reading before bed lets you catch your __ZZZZZzzzzzzz's__.  (C'mon, this one was tough…)


For more brilliant articles, book recommendations and reading advice and tools for parents, visit [Scholastic’s, Raise a Reader blog here](https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/raise-a-reader-blog.html "Scholastic Raise a Reader Blog").

*Illustration by Mary GrandPré*

Harry Potter Who’s Who - Muggles Edition: Introducing the Dursleys

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## Vernon Dursley:
Vernon Dursley, or Uncle Vernon as Harry Potter calls him, lives at number 4, Privet Drive with his wife, Petunia and son, Dudley. He is a director of a firm called Grunnings, which makes drills. He is a big, beefy man with hardly any neck, and he has a moustache. He doesn’t like people who dress in funny clothes (particularly cloaks), he hates Harry talking about anything acting in a way it shouldn’t – like a motorbike flying, and he is irritated by most things his nephew, Harry does. He does however like large doughnuts.  

## Petunia Dursley:
Petunia Dursley, or Aunt Petunia as Harry Potter calls her lives at number 4, Privet Drive with her husband Vernon and her son, Dudley. She is the sister of Lily Potter, Harry’s mother but that doesn’t mean that she treats Harry any better than Uncle Vernon. Petunia is thin and blonde with nearly twice the usual amount of neck – which comes in very useful when she’s spying on the neighbours over the garden fence. She has some funny nicknames for her son, like Dinky Duddydums and she sometimes looks as though she’s swallowed a lemon. 

## Dudley Dursley:
Dudley Dursley lives with his parents, Vernon and Petunia and Harry at number 4, Privet Drive. He is Harry's horrible, non-magical and slightly older cousin. He is blond, hates exercise and bullies Harry whenever he can, including at school where Dudley has a gang that he gets to pick on his own cousin. A very spoiled little boy, he insists on having more birthday presents than the year before and he pretends to cry to get whatever he wants. He likes watching television and never likes to miss his programmes.  

And now you’ve read their descriptions, why don’t you try drawing their portraits?

And for more games and guides on Harry Potter and the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone, visit our[ Harry Potter Reading Magic hub,](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/starting-harry-potter) where we're treating you to five weeks of goodies. 

                                         ***

For our complete guide to the characters in the Harry Potter books, you can [visit Bloomsbury’s Who’s Who page on the Bloomsbury website](https://harrypotter.bloomsbury.com/uk/fun-stuff/harry-potter-whos-who/ "Who's Who Bloomsbury")!

__Illustration by Jim Kay © Bloomsbury__

Harry Potter Who’s Who Professors Edition: Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape

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## Albus Dumbledore:
Headmaster of Hogwarts and Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. The finest wizard of his generation, Dumbledore is the only wizard that Voldemort is afraid of. Tall, thin and very old, he has blue eyes, a crooked nose and a long silver beard. He wears half-moon spectacles and a long purple cloak. He has a scar on his left knee which is a perfect map of the London Underground. As a schoolboy, he was in Gryffindor house. 

## Minerva McGonagall:
Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts. She is a rather serious-looking woman, with jet-black hair scraped back into a tight bun on her head. She wears square glasses and an emerald-green cloak. Professor McGonagall is head of Gryffindor house and is the Transfiguration teacher. If you’ve read Chapter One of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone you will know that she can turn into a tabby cat! 

## Severus Snape:
Potions master at Hogwarts, although apparently he knows an awful lots about the Dark Arts. He is tall and thin with sallow skin, greasy black hair and a hooked nose. He teaches his classes in the dungeons, where there are pickled animals floating in jars. Snape appears to hate Harry Potter, whilst Draco Malfoy is one of his favourite students. Though that isn’t surprising, as he is also head of Slytherin house. 

                                        ***

And now you’ve read their descriptions, why don’t you try drawing their portraits? 

For Bloomsbury's complete guide to all the much-loved characters in the Harry Potter books, you can [visit the Who’s Who page on the Bloomsbury website](https://harrypotter.bloomsbury.com/uk/fun-stuff/harry-potter-whos-who/ "Who's Who Bloomsbury link").

__Illustration by Johnny Duddle © Bloomsbury Publishing Plc__


Discover your wizarding world name with Bloomsbury

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Is your favourite character’s name on this list? Here’s who we think have the most magically unusual names in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Sorcerer’s Stone for our US readers).

## 1.		Albus Dumbledore:
*Headmaster of Hogwarts*

## 2.		Rubeus Hagrid: 
*Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts*

## 3.		Emeric Switch:
*Author of A Beginners’ Guide to Transfiguration. A book first-	years need at Hogwarts*

## 4.		Minerva McGonagall:
*Head of Gryffindor house and Transfiguration teacher at Hogwarts*

## 5.		Severus Snape:
*Head of Slytherin house and Potions teacher at Hogwarts*

## 6.		Bathilda Bagshot:
*Author of A History of Magic. A book first-years need at Hogwarts*

## 7.		Draco Malfoy:
*A Slytherin student who dislikes Harry, Ron and Hermione*

## 8.		Arsenius Jigger:
*Author of Magical Drafts and Potions. A book first-years need at Hogwarts*

## 9.		Argus Filch:
*The Hogwarts caretaker, who has a cat called Mrs Norris*

## 10.	Newt Scamander:
*Author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. A book first-	years need at Hogwarts*

Now you’ve read some of the most weird and wonderful names you can find in the first Harry Potter book, how about discovering a wizarding name of your own? 

[Click here for Bloomsbury’s Harry Potter Name Generator!](https://harrypotter.bloomsbury.com/uk/fun-stuff/name-generator/ "Harry Potter Name Generator") Simply put your real name into the online form, and it’ll make your witch or wizard name for you. And once you’ve got one, share your name with friends and family!

__Illustration by Jim Kay © Bloomsbury Publishing Plc__

How to cast a spell over everyday games

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Who wants to play a game? From wizard chess to Gobstones, witches and wizards have a lot of choice when it comes to indoor games. 

To keep you busy and entertained, we’ve thought about some everyday games you might be playing at home. Here are a few ideas to make them a little bit more magical… 

## Wizard’s hangman 

You might have heard of the word game, hangman. In the wizard version, you won’t be drawing a stick figure, you’ll be drawing a stick-wizard on a broomstick:
•	Player one thinks of a word – try to make sure it features in the Harry Potter books!

•	Player one draws dashes at the bottom of a piece of paper. The dashes represent the number of letters in the word

•	The other players try to guess the letters of the word. Only one letter per turn!

•	If a letter is guessed and it belongs in the word, player one must write the letter on top of the correct dash

•	If a letter is incorrect, then draw a line to start on your stick-wizard 

•	If each part of the stick-wizard and broomstick is completed before the word is guessed – they fly away and player one wins the game

*Tips for drawing your stick-wizard on a broomstick*

•	Start with the broomstick. Draw one line for the handle and three smaller lines for the twigs. Make sure it’s floating in the air!

•	The stick-wizard must sit on the broomstick

•	The final detail of the stick-wizard is their wand. Don’t forget!

## Harry Potter Bingo: Philosopher’s Stone edition

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