How to Encourage Reading Habits: 19 Fun Ideas
How to encourage reading habits in children is no easy task. But reading is one of the most important lessons children need to learn to be successful in life.
Children should be reading every day, whether it is just a picture book, comic, or school book.
My son absolutely loves reading, check out our favorite book lists for kids there are over 20 book lists included for kids of all ages, for school, for reading, and for every season. Plus lots of free book printables.
It is so important to encourage children to read. But sometimes I know it can be a little hard. I have put together 19 really fun ideas on how to encourage reading habits.
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Activities to Encourage Reading
Children should enjoy reading. Follow these 19 great ideas on how to encourage reading habits in kids.
Playing Book Bingo
If you love playing games, why not play book bingo? It is our favorite way to motivate the kids into reading lots of books, they win prizes too!
Reading on a Journey
If your child doesn’t suffer from travel sickness, as mine does. Reading in a car, bus, plane or train is a perfect way to pass the time.
It doesn’t have to be a reading book, it could be a comic. Or some information on where you are going.
Check out our road trip bingo free printable if you have a long journey too.
Bedtime Reading
If your child can read independently, reading at bedtime is a great way for your child to relax. Put your child to bed half an hour before they need to go to sleep and let them read.
If they don’t enjoy reading books, what about a comic, newspaper, leaflet, or non-fiction book. If you are looking for book ideas for 9 year old’s check out our favorites.
Read to your children
Most people stop reading to their children as soon as they can read independently. But, it is recommended you still read to your child until they are at least 11 years old.
This is a great way of spending some quality time together too and developing great reading habits for kids. Check out the best Christmas read alouds.
Kindle / Ipad
Personally, I prefer reading actual books, but I think that is more about my age than anything else. But if your children enjoy playing video games, maybe encourage them instead to read on the device.
Or try and encourage them to learn while reading with the best homeschool reading curriculum.
Audio Books
If your child doesn’t enjoy reading books, then why not try an audiobook? Or if they suffer from travel sickness, why not encourage them to listen to an audiobook?
Pretty much everything these days is in audiobook format, including our favorite author, David Walliams. You can try anything to help your child create good reading habits.
Subtitles!
This is my favorite tip of all! If your children are anything like my son they will love watching the TV. OK, fine, no problem.
Turn the sound off and put the subtitles on!
Boom, they are reading! I love it!
Comic / Newspapers
Reading is reading, it doesn’t have to be a classic book. We have just started receiving monthly comics from Comic Garage and he absolutely loves them.
Take turns reading to each other
This can be done at any time. Either choose the same book or you both choose your favorite books and take it in turn to read a page.
This is a great way for children to see and listen to you reading.
Extreme Reading to help with good reading habits
Another of my favorites is “extreme reading!”.
How many weird and wonderful places can your child find to read?
They can keep a diary or you could take photos.
What about in the garden, in the bath, or on a swing? The options are endless, but, make sure they stay safe!!
Song Lyrics
Have you a budding musician on your hands? Well, why not encourage them to read song lyrics?
George Ezra is one of our favorites.
We will watch them on youtube with the lyrics, mainly as we all normally sing the completely wrong words!
Always Carry a Book
Encourage your children to always carry a book with them, or keep one in your bag.
If they get bored while you are in the queue at a supermarket. They can stand with you and read.
This would be another great place for their extreme reading journal.
Family Book Club
This is such a great idea, everyone in your family reads the same book, just like in an adult book club.
Then, you get together to discuss and do activities about the book. This is a lovely way to spend time together and bond.
Have a look at our favorite books for 13 year old boys and our books for 9 year old boys for inspiration.
Personalized Book
What about a personalized book?
This is a great way to encourage the kids to read, with their names on every page.
In The Book, have so many familiar books to choose from, including Disney books and other classics.
Library
Although local libraries are closing everywhere, if you are lucky enough to have one near you, this is a great place to go to get books.
They normally have a little reading corner too. I am not sure if it is everywhere but in our local library, we can take out 10 books at a time.
Create a reading area
Now, this can be anywhere in the house where you might have some room.
Put lots of cushions on the floor, or sofa and make this a quiet place. You could even make it into a den.
If they like reading aloud maybe put some of their favorite teddies in there with them.
Write a book review
This is a great way to encourage reading during the homeschool day. After they have finished their book ask them to write a book report.
It doesn’t have to be long and it could be in a comic format, or list, whatever they are comfortable with.
That way it will encourage them to retain the information and retell it in their own words.
Write a Film vs Book Comparison
I have previously mentioned that David Walliams is our favorite author, but Roald Dahl and so many other books have been turned into films.
Ask your children to compare the book with the film, print out our free books vs movies template.
Every time we have done this, the book always is the best according to my son. It is Roald Dahl Day on September 13th, check out our favorite activities.
Ask questions about the book
At breakfast or dinner when you are all together, ask questions about the book they are reading.
Who is their favorite character and why?
What is the book about, and how does it make them feel?
Children that read tend to be more successful at school
Reading is great for improving empathy
It exercises the brain
Reading improves vocabulary and language skills
Helps to develop a child’s imagination
Teaches children about the World and different cultures
Reading improves concentration
Reading should be fun, if you have any other tips on how to encourage good reading habits please let me know in the comments below.
Last Updated on 28 January 2023 by homeschoolof1