How to Make Reading Fun for Kids : 14 Easy Tips
Is your kid just not interested in books at all? Getting bored with reading or being read to after 5 minutes? As a Mom and former childminder, I remember what that’s like. It’s so frustrating because you know how good reading is for your little one. If you’re wondering how to make reading fun for kids with little interest in it, this post is for you.
I had a couple of kids I childminded (aged 12 months plus) who just weren’t interested in books and being read to. They just wanted to be on the go and playing all the time, which is completely normal at that age! However, they can also love books at this age if introduced in the right way.
After just a few weeks of using these ideas, my little one’s started handing me books to read, and I’d see them picking up books to look at themselves too! Their love of books just continued to grow and grow over time. It was lovely to see.
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1. Provide Constant Access to Books
Heard the expression, ‘out of sight, out of mind’?
If we want to have our little one’s reading their books, it’s best to have them somewhere very visible to them. Think about easy access for them to help themselves. They are far more likely to pick up a book to look at if it is in their line of sight.
When my kids were little, I got a small bookcase that was toddler height so all their books could be seen and picked out by them. Then I would stand one or two books on the top of it – just in their line of sight when they were walking. It was often those books that they picked up!
We also have at least a few books in nearly every room of the house so that wherever we are, we are seeing books and able to grab one for a quick look.
We even have a few books in the car, and I used to keep some in the changing bag. They’re great to pull out when they start getting bored out and about, especially if we’re stuck in a long queue for something!
2. Offer Books instead of Screens
I’m not going to go into screen time much as we all have different views on that, but hopefully most of us agree that reducing screen time a little in favour of other activities, like reading, wouldn’t hurt!
If you offer screen time as a distraction when your kids are waiting at a doctors office, or in a cafe, or on the school run, consider switching it out for a fun book instead.
Obviously if they are used to screens, the transition might take a bit of time and need to be done slowly, but it is definitely worth it!
When I was a childminder, the little 1 year olds always wanted a book to read in the car on the school run, just like my two kids had. It was a great way to get them looking at books and learning.
3. Let them Choose
Most kids just love a bit of control, right? They like to take some ownership of their life and do things for themselves. Therefore it makes sense that letting them choose their own books makes it much more likely they will want to read those books!
If a book store is a bit pricey for you (as it is for me!) try heading to your local charity shop (thrift store) or library. That’s where most of our books came from!
4. Visit your Local Library
It’s never too early to check out your local libraries kid’s section.Our library has a little room dedicated to kid’s books. It also has a sofa, some toys, lego, puzzles, computers, and coloring in for kid’s to do as well as read.
Before my kids started school we visited our library at least once a week, sometimes more often. We didn’t just find new books to borrow, we read stories together on the sofa, played with the lego, the puppets, and the puzzles they had, and we attended story time sessions.
Getting little kids into an environment full of books and building positive associations with libraries is a great start!
5. Go with their Interests
Much like with toys, our little one’s are much more likely to engage with books on topics of interest to them.
Consider their favourite animal, vehicle, or hobby. You can literally find a book about anything these days! My son once got one all about playparks!
6. If they’re little try Interactive Books
Books with sound buttons to press, textures to feel, flaps to lift, and actions to do are often more popular with little people.
Lift the Flap Books are great for curious little one’s as they learn object permanence. Rather than getting books with cardboard flaps that often get ripped out by enthusiastic toddlers, grab some with strong felt flaps.
Books like ‘Where’s the Dog?’ from Amazon use felt flaps and were so popular with the 1 year olds I childminded. They never managed to break one of them and they read them a lot! There is a whole series of ‘Where’s the…’ books with strong felt flaps.
Textured books are also fun for little learners. My little one’s loved the ‘That’s not my..’ Series! Good quality and strong with a good variety of textures to try, we love these books! There is also a book in the series to suit everyone! You can grab ‘That’s not my Penguin’ from Amazon here.
If it’s a sound book you’re after, Eric Carle, illustrator of the Very Hungry Caterpillar, illustrated this fun book with 30 fun sound buttons, called ‘Around the Farm’. You can grab from Amazon here.
7. Create a Reading Corner
If you have space in your home or class, create a designated reading corner. It doesn’t have to be big. It could just be a beanbag, some cushions and a small bookshelf. Alternatively, use a pop up tent with a cosy blanket in it and a stack of books next to it. The idea is that its a cosy space with some books where they can curl up and read when they need some quiet time.
8. Bring the Story to Life!
When kid’s are little, they rely on us to read their stories to them. It makes such a difference to the experience of being read to when the adult really commits to the roles! If your little one is just not interested in a story, try using different voices for the characters and adding in sound effects for a more exciting experience!
If your kid is older, try asking them questions to get them engaged. You could ask, how they think the character felt or what they think they should do next.
9. Make Reading part of their Daily Routine
Little kids thrive on routines. Just as they brush their teeth twice a day, why not add in a 5 minute story morning and evening too?
Don’t worry if they don’t sit down and listen at first. If you’re making reading part of your daily routine they’ll be hearing fun stories on a regular basis and seeing how much fun you have reading the books. Before long, they’ll come over to join you!
This works even better if you choose a time of the day that they are generally calmer and more ‘snuggly’. Whilst you cuddle up together for bedtime hugs, it creates the perfect opportunity for a short bedtime story together.
10. Use their Favorite TV Characters
Another great way to get your little one’s interested in books is through their love of a tv character. Often books based on tv shows or movies can help encourage reluctant readers to engage more with books.
My daughter loves reading any books with the Paw Patrol in them! If your kid loves Paw Patrol too, you can grab these 5 Minute Kindness Stories featuring the Paw Patrol from Amazon here.
11. Make it Social
When my kids were small, we really enjoyed going along to our local sing and read group. In Scotland, this group is called Book Bug. It involves singing nursery rhymes and listening to stories with other parents and babies/toddlers.
It’s worth looking out for groups like this in your local area, as well as book clubs when they’re older and book readings at the library.
You could also arrange to meet a friend at the library for a playdate. Reading stories together and playing with the toys at the library makes it a lovely social experience.
12. Become Immersed
Does your little one love imaginative play?
Why not grab a book you know well and recite it during a walk? Encourage your kids to join in with the actions. Alternatively put on a little show, based on the book you’ve been reading.
Using the book, ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’, we headed off to a Forest area and had great fun making all the noises, looking for a bear, and pretending to be the characters in the book.
We also did some role play using the book, ‘Zog the Flying Dragon’. Using dress-up clothes and homemade props, we acted out a scene from the book.
These ideas work really well for kids who like to be playing and struggle to sit down for long.
13. Be a Role Model
Our little people just love to copy what we do, don’t they?
I know you’re probably really busy, but try sitting for a few minutes each day and reading your own book for with a cuppa so they see how much you like it. Before long, they might just be grabbing their own book and joining you.
14. Try Puppets
Puppets can really help bring a story to life!
You can make your own puppets, or buy them. When I was looking at the popular childhood story of ‘The Three Little Pigs’, I found some super cute finger puppets on Amazon to use to tell the story with!
I hope these ideas have helped you as you make reading more fun for your little ones! It may seem a lot of work now but, trust me, once you get them hooked on books it is all SO worth it!
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