10 Ways To Make Reading Fun, Fresh, and Happen

There is something truly special and beautiful about reading with children. They can truly be transported into the story in a way that is so magical and innocent. They can ask the most perceptive questions about a book that blow your mind. They can make text-to-self and text-to-text connections that you would never expect or even make yourself. Basically, reading can rock their world, and as an added bonus: Reading to a child is one of the best ways to prepare him or her to become a LIFELONG reader.

I know, I know. This isn’t Earth shattering new information. But it is something that can be surprisingly hard to accomplish and to keep fun in the hustle and bustle of daily life, even when we have the best of intentions. I’ve totally fallen asleep reading to my child and stumbled through Mahalia Mouse Goes to College during a Read Aloud to my Preschoolers in the classroom. Sometimes we all just need a friendly reminder.

10 ways to keep reading happening and fun/fresh in your home:

1. Have books around your house (not just in your child’s bedroom) and cozy places to read. (A bean bag or old throw pillows will suffice here. No need to go crazy with an impossible to replicate Pinterest reading nook unless you are a DIY master.)
2. Make reading part of your daily routine.
3. Let your child see you relax with a book! Reading breaks can be for the whole family. Make it an indoor/outdoor picnic and reading date!
4. Let your child “read” to you. Young children can tell great stories based on the title and illustration. Often they are much funnier than the actual book.
5. Plan special outings to the library and bookstore for books and/ or story time! Books as treats are way better than candy.
6. Tie a craft or activity with the book. For example, make pancakes after reading If You Give a Pig a Pancake or see what happens to snow inside after reading The Snowy Day.
7. Find a series that you love and stick with it. (Spot, Olivia, Pinkalicious, The Pigeon, Junie B. Jones, Magic Tree House, Harry Potter, the list goes on and on!)
8. Read your favorite books from when you were a child. Corduroy, anyone?
9. Read books that are about the current season/ holidays.
10. If your child likes a TV or movie, introduce them to the book version.

If I was going to add an eleventh, I may say that accents make everything more fun. But I’ll stop for now.

What are your favorite things to read with your family?

Do you have a reading routine?

Comment below!