When "it's time to read" is met with groans rather than grins, it's time to shake things up. Reading shouldn't feel like homework—and with a little creativity, it won't.
These 12 ideas go beyond "just read more." They're practical, parent-tested strategies that transform reading from something kids have to do into something they want to do.
1. Build a Reading Fort
There's something magical about reading in a cozy hideaway. Create a special reading nook using:
- Blankets draped over chairs
- A small tent or canopy
- A closet converted into a reading cave
- Pillows and string lights
Let your child help design and build it. When reading has its own special place, it becomes an adventure rather than a task. Some families make "fort reading" a Friday night tradition—flashlights included.
2. Read by Flashlight
Speaking of flashlights: there's nothing like reading under covers with a flashlight to make a book feel exciting. Even the same book they've read before becomes more engaging when read in the dark.
This works especially well for slightly spooky stories, mysteries, or adventure books. Just don't tell them you're also building positive bedtime associations with reading!
3. Act Out the Story
Turn reading into performance. After reading a scene or chapter:
- Act out what happened with simple props
- Use different voices for characters
- Create puppets and do a puppet show
- Film a "movie trailer" for the book
Kinesthetic learners especially thrive when reading becomes physical. Plus, acting requires deep comprehension—your child needs to really understand the story to perform it.
4. Cook or Craft from Books
Extend the story into real life:
- Make the foods characters eat (green eggs and ham, anyone?)
- Create art inspired by illustrations
- Build something from the story with LEGOs or craft supplies
- Draw a map of the story's setting
When reading leads to tangible projects, it becomes the starting point for creativity rather than a standalone activity.
5. Start a Book Club
Reading becomes more fun with friends. Start a mini book club with:
- Siblings or cousins
- A few neighborhood kids
- Classmates (virtual meetings work too!)
Keep it simple: read the same book, then gather to discuss it over snacks. Let kids take turns choosing the book. The social element adds motivation many children need.
6. Let Them Read to Someone (or Something)
Many kids who resist being read to love being the reader. Set up opportunities to read aloud to:
- Stuffed animals
- Pets (dogs are wonderfully non-judgmental audiences)
- Younger siblings
- Grandparents over video call
This flips the power dynamic: your child becomes the expert, the one sharing knowledge rather than receiving instruction. It's empowering—and it builds fluency through practice.
7. Make Reading Part of Something Else They Love
Connect books to existing interests:
- Sports fan? Read biographies of favorite athletes, sports fiction, or record books
- Gaming enthusiast? Explore game guides, gaming novels, or books about game design
- Animal lover? Dive into non-fiction about their favorite creatures
- Builder? Try instruction books for new projects
When reading serves their passions, motivation takes care of itself.
8. Create a Reading Reward System (That Doesn't Backfire)
Research shows that rewarding reading with external prizes can actually decrease motivation over time. But celebrating reading in the right way still works:
- Create a visual tracker where they see progress (stickers, chains, charts)
- Celebrate finished books with a trip to choose new ones
- Let completed books unlock reading-related privileges (staying up late to finish a chapter, getting the next book in a series)
- Focus praise on effort and enjoyment, not just completion
The key: keep rewards connected to reading itself rather than unrelated prizes.
9. Try Different Formats
If traditional books aren't clicking, experiment:
- Graphic novels: Real reading with visual support
- Audiobooks: Perfect for car rides or active kids
- Interactive books: Choose-your-own-adventure and puzzle books
- Magazines: Shorter, topic-focused reading
- E-readers: Some kids prefer the novelty of digital
The goal is building a reading habit—format is secondary.
10. Visit the Library Like It's an Adventure
Make library trips special:
- Let them explore freely without agendas
- Attend library events and story times
- Let them get their own library card
- Make it a regular, anticipated outing
- Follow up with a treat afterward
When the library feels like a destination rather than a task, children develop positive associations with reading and books.
11. Create "Reading Challenges"
Some children love a good challenge. Try:
- Reading bingo (different genres, formats, or topics in each square)
- A "book journey" where they read their way around a map
- A summer reading challenge with milestones
- Reading the alphabet (books or authors starting with each letter)
Gamification works for kids who are motivated by goals and variety. Just be careful not to make it feel like pressure—the challenge should be fun, not stressful.
12. Put Them in the Story
Nothing engages a child like seeing themselves as the hero. Personalized stories—where your child's name, appearance, and interests are woven into the narrative—transform reading from observing to participating.
When a child IS the character, reading becomes personal. They're not just learning about someone else's adventure—they're living their own.
This approach is especially powerful for reluctant readers who haven't yet found themselves in traditional books.
Finding What Works for Your Child
Not every idea will work for every child—and that's okay. The goal is experimentation:
- Try different approaches
- Watch what sparks interest
- Follow their lead
- Be willing to drop what isn't working
Some children need variety, rotating through different ideas to keep reading fresh. Others find one thing that works and stick with it. Both are fine.
The Bottom Line
Making reading fun isn't about tricks or gimmicks—it's about removing barriers and adding positive associations. When reading is connected to coziness, creativity, social time, and personal interests, children naturally gravitate toward it.
Start with one idea from this list. If it works, keep it. If not, try another. Somewhere in here is the key that unlocks your child's love of reading.
And once that door opens? The joy of stories does the rest.
Make Your Child the Hero
Magic Quill creates personalized stories where your child stars in the adventure—at exactly their reading level. When kids see themselves saving the day, reading becomes the highlight of the day.