Discover practical tips to help your kids fall in love with reading. Let’s turn books into a source of joy and curiosity, not just another homework assignment! [+ free printable]
We can all agree that reading is a great way for our kids to spend some time this winter. Reading is more than just a skill—it’s a gateway to creativity, knowledge, and lifelong learning.
As parents, we want our kids to be curious, thoughtful, and self-driven learners, and fostering a love of reading is one of the best ways to do that. But how do we make reading something they truly enjoy, not just another task?
There are simple, practical ways to encourage your kids to dive into books and develop a passion for reading that will stay with them for years to come.
Actions to take to encourage reading:
- Provide time for reading. Set some time apart specifically for reading.
- You read your book and give them a stack of their own. Sit on the couch together with a special drink or a chocolate treat and tell them that it is “reading time”.
- Go to the library and let them pick out books they enjoy. Teach them how to browse the shelves.
- Get a reading chart to color in books read. I like this one!
- Use a booklist that works for your kid and their interests. This resource is amazing!
- Go to used bookstores and give them $10 to spend however they want. Stock up on books from the discount section while you are there!
- Have reading time be a special event, not a punishment. The words we say communicate what we mean. Say ” We get to read”, not
“You have to read!” - Find books that springboard from what your kids are already interested in.
- What is their favorite TV show?
- What computer games do they enjoy playing?
- What do they talk about at dinner time?
- Where do you keep your books? Are they easy to reach and can your kids see them easily?
- Can you set a small stack of books in a basket on the coffee table? Can your child have a stack of books in their bed to read at night or in the early morning?
- Take the time to teach them to slow down and read.
- Reading time will require training and patience. Reading is a skill that must be practiced and learned. It does not come naturally to most people and will get better over time.
- For adults and kids alike, the more time I spend reading the more I enjoy it.
- Watch the movie first! Have a family movie night and then give them the book to read. Having the visual picture in their heads of the characters and the setting can make the book feel more alive.
- Great books and captivating stories matter.
- All books count – graphic novels, picture books, chapter books, fan fiction, books based on TV shows.
- Not all books are the same quality but sometimes you have to work your way into the bigger stuff. Entice the kids with the “literary candy bar” so that someday they will be willing to eat the broccoli. Lead with enjoyment and not reading level or difficulty.
free PDF -Questions, Bingo & Tracker
Let’s Talk about Audiobooks!
This is the lever that gets that huge bolder dislodged and rolling down the hill. Audiobooks are a powerful tool I have used to enhance my life and our family life.
Ways to include Audiobooks in your week:
- Audiobooks for the whole family – lunchtime, long car rides, and quiet mornings
- Quiet time for kids – older kids who no longer take a nap are more willing to listen to an audiobook on the couch with headphones and a comfy blanket. It is some downtime that is much needed without the stigma of an official bedtime or sleeping required.
- Hobby development – Have them listen while crafting, weaving, building Lego projects, making Perler beads creations, & drawing.
When is there a spot in the day when your kids feel worn down and listening to someone read would be relaxing and uplifting?
So you finally got the kids reading… Now What?
Keep that flame going!
Join in the reading fun by letting your inner reader come out. Let your kids see you sitting on the couch with a book. Have your kid read aloud to you and just enjoy the story alongside them. Take turns reading the book together using character voices or trading back and forth at each page. Talk about books! Have discussions comparing books, ranking books, and judging what actions characters did.
Feeling stuck on what to say?
I am so glad you asked!
In the free PDF are some easy questions to ask without having to read the same book as your child—because, let’s be honest, we all have enough to do.
free PDF -Questions, Bingo & Tracker
You’ve got this! Encouraging your kids to become readers, thinkers, and self-motivated learners is within reach.
Reading opens up new worlds, broadens perspectives, and sparks creativity.
As a parent, showing that you’re still growing and challenging yourself is a powerful example. Let’s dig in and equip our kids with the tools to make reading a regular, enjoyable part of their lives.
Remember, small actions add up over time, and the efforts you make now will have a lasting impact on your home and your kids’ love for reading.
What book are you enjoying this winter season?
What tips will you use to encourage reading in your home?
⛄📚Happy Winter Reading – April
free PDF -Questions, Bingo & Tracker
