10 Tips To Make Reading Fun For Kids

Helping kids to discover the joy of reading is important. Reading can help kids to become more knowledgeable, more imaginative and more articulate. Unfortunately, some kids are reluctant to pick up a book. They see it as too challenging or too tedious. By showing that reading can in fact be very fun, you can help kids to develop a positive mindset around reading. Below are 10 tips on how to do this. 

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Start early

Familiarity with books can help kids to naturally be drawn to them as they get older. Get into the habit of reading to your child when they are still an infant (some mothers even read to their kids while they are in the womb!). While kids may not be able to identify words or even understand what you are saying, they will learn to see books as something normal and comforting. There are books aimed at young kids that are visually fun, interactive and made from thick card to keep them robust. 

Create a cozy reading space

A cozy reading space can help to make reading a more inviting activity. Consider setting up a reading nook with a bookshelf, some blankets/cushions and enough lighting. You could even set up a tent to read in. Alternatively, you could get used to reading to your kids while they are in bed. They will associate reading with the comfort of their bed, and may grow up to see reading as a source of comfort. 

Use funny voices

Narrating books with funny voices for each character can help to make reading more entertaining. You may also be able to add theatrics such as noises and actions to accompany stories, as well interactive parts where kids join in. This can make reading feel more like play time. Of course, try not to put too much energy into reading if you’re doing it immediately before bedtime!

Make it a family activity

Reading can be a chance for family bonding. You can huddle together and read a book. Kids will learn to associate reading with family, and therefore find it to be a source of comfort. As kids get older and are able to read independently, you could even consider introducing family reading time in which you all read your own separate books together in the same room. Even if you’re not talking to each other, it could be nice to all be in the same room together. 

Connect books to real life

When choosing books to read with your kids, consider choosing stories that are relatable to their life. This may help kids to engage with books by empathizing with the characters. You can also choose books that match up with hobbies and interests. There may even be books with characters that have the same name as your child. You can find all kinds of children’s books online that are related to all kinds of topics and themes. 

Let them choose

You don’t have to always choose books for your child. In fact, it could be beneficial to let your child pick the books that they want to read. Yes, some young kids may end up choosing the same book over and over again, but if they enjoy doing that then it is worthwhile for helping to promote reading as a fun activity. You can also let kids choose books to buy. Take a trip to your local bookshop and let them choose books off the shelf that they are interested in. Of course, make sure they are age appropriate and within your budget!

Make your own storybooks

While choosing existing books is easier, it’s also possible to make up your own stories. You and your child could craft these together out of paper and card and both write and illustrate them. You can also consider personalized learning through custom storybooks online. Using AI tools, you can create fully customized digital stories. This can be a playful way to engage with stories that helps to promote healthy use of screen time. Try out these tools and see what amazing stories you can make!

Visit libraries and book fairs

Visiting libraries and book fairs can help show kids that there is a whole community centred around reading. These environments can allow kids to connect with other readers, while also allowing kids to discover new books and authors. It’s particularly worth visiting a library or book fair if your child has already started to show a passion for reading – this could help to cement their love of reading by allowing them to fully explore their interest. 

Reward good reading

Some kids may struggle to get into reading, but you can help to motivate such kids by setting rewards. This is sometimes worth doing with books that have been assigned to kids by a school – kids may be required to read these books each week with parents, but may not always be interested in these books, so they could become a chore. By rewarding kids with treats or screen time in exchange for reading, you make the task of reading these books more exciting. You can also offer other rewards for times when your kids show big improvements in their reading to show that you are proud of them. At the very least, make sure to praise your kids when put in effort and show improvement. 

Be a good role model

Kids are less likely to pick up a book if they never see their parents reading one. Consider trying to read a book yourself. You only need to dedicate five or ten minutes per day to reading it. Read this book in the presence of your kids. This will help kids to see reading as something that adults do for fun, and could therefore encourage kids to pursue it as a leisure activity too. 

Conclusion

There are lots of ways in which you can make reading an enjoyable activity for kids. Try out a range of the above methods and see what impact it has on your kids’ passion for reading.