Do you wish your kids would read more but are stumped on how to make it happen? Read on to see which effective strategies to turn them into avid readers.
Not everyone, even adults, finds joy in reading, and kids, being young and carefree, may not immediately see the long-term benefits of reading. However, helping them realize the positive impact of regular reading on their lives can help make a difference.
While play and carefree moments are crucial, introducing the pleasures of reading through engaging stories tailored to their interests can help open a new world of enjoyment. Making reading a part of their routine, even in small doses, can gradually instill the habit, enriching their lives in ways they have not yet grasped. Here are a few ways you can boost their interest in reading and turn it into a regular habit for them.

1. Colorful Books
Using colorful books with many pictures can be a fantastic method to cultivate a love for reading. The lively visuals picture capture their attention, enticing them to pick up the book and give it a try. The power of colorful books isn’t limited to kids—it also captivates the interest of many adults. Including such books is a must to grab kids’ attention and make reading an enjoyable experience.

2. Introduce Fiction
Introducing kids to fiction can be a compelling method to spark their interest in reading, considering that not all kids may be drawn to nonfiction. An interesting fiction series, especially a lengthy one, can create a reading addiction. The curiosity to uncover what unfolds at the series’ conclusion might drive kids to regularly delve into the books, cleverly creating a habit of consistent reading.
Parents may harbor concerns that fiction is purely entertainment and not as educational as nonfiction. However, these worries are not true, as fiction reading contributes significantly to a child’s literary skills. Beyond that, delving into fictional worlds enhances creativity by requiring kids to exercise their imagination more.
Exploring different character perspectives within fiction also fosters a deeper understanding of life, promoting maturity and a wider viewpoint. So, parents shouldn’t worry; fiction is a valuable tool for developing various skills and enriching a child’s overall growth.
3. Introduce Popular Trendy Books
Increasing your kids’ interest in books is made easier when you introduce them to hot, popular, and trendy books. In today’s world, anything that’s trending tends to create a buzz, and people naturally become interested in it.
Take, for instance, the enduring popularity of books like Harry Potter, which continues to captivate readers and maintain its popular cultural relevance. The excitement around these hot trendy books can spark enthusiasm in your kids, making them more eager to dive into the captivating worlds these stories offer, and with Hollywood adaptations, they can extend the excitement with movies as well.
The appeal of hot, trendy books extends beyond just reading—it can improve your kids’ social skills. When a book becomes the buzz of the town, it naturally encourages kids to engage in conversations and discussions.
The appeal of hot, trendy books extends beyond just reading—it can improve your kids’ social skills. When a book becomes the buzz of the town, it naturally encourages kids to engage in conversations and discussions.
The buzz surrounding these books has the power to turn any child into a social butterfly, creating opportunities for them to connect with peers, share thoughts, and build social bonds through the shared experience of reading and making new friends while discussing popular books.
4. Pick a Genre They Enjoy
Encouraging kids to read can be challenging, and forcing them to read something they’re not interested in will backfire. It’s crucial to understand their reading preferences. Trying out various genres can help you identify what captures their interest, making regular reading more likely.
For instance, if a child loves cooking, getting them a gardening book might not be a wise choice, as it could be a hurdle to get them excited about reading. Just like adults, kids with shorter attention spans are less likely to engage with material they find boring. To foster a love for reading, it’s essential to align their choices with their interests.

5. Picking The Appropriate Reading Level
Giving a child a book with a challenging reading level can be discouraging and potentially turn them away from reading regularly. The key to fostering an interest in reading is to make it an enjoyable experience.
If a book is too difficult, with words they find hard to pronounce or concepts they struggle to understand, it can create stress and frustration, and stop them from regular reading habits. It’s important to choose books that match their current reading level, ensuring a positive and enjoyable reading experience that nurtures their interest in reading.
Opting for a book with a lower reading level might also be a turn-off for older kids, as they could find it too easy and potentially boring. Additionally, it may cause embarrassment, especially for middle school kids who might feel awkward reading an alphabet book. Selecting a book at an appropriate reading level is crucial to maintain their interest and ensure that the reading material aligns with their age group and comprehension abilities.

6. Introduce Reading Slowly and Not Forcefully
If you aim to instill a regular reading habit in your kids, consider introducing it gradually and being mindful not to exert too much force. Drawing from my own childhood experiences, I found that excessive force from parents often led to resistance or a lack of enjoyment/
It’s important to gauge your child’s response and back off if you feel you’re pushing too hard. The process doesn’t have to be rushed; you can always reintroduce it slowly later on. The key is to foster a positive association with reading, allowing it to become a natural and enjoyable experience.
7. Try Different Reading Mediums
Exploring different reading mediums offers a distinct experience, with some being more enjoyable than others. For example, delving into a comic book tends to be more fun compared to reading a textbook.
Likewise, reading a magazine provides a more relaxed experience compared to flipping through a dictionary. Introducing your child to various reading mediums can be an effective approach to cultivating a regular reading habit, allowing them to discover what resonates with their preferences.
8. Playing RPG Games
The first time I dived into RPG games, I was instantly hooked, finding the experience remarkably enjoyable. It made me ponder how reading from a game could be so immersive and entertaining. If you’re not familiar with RPG games, it’s worth exploring, as they involve reading to progress in the game.
Introducing kids to video games that require reading, like RPGs, can be an effective strategy to gain regular reading habits. While some parents may be concerned about the potentially addictive nature of video games, my personal experience suggests that the reading involved in RPGs can be close to reading a book. While books remain superior for learning, incorporating reading through video games might be an alternative for encouraging regular reading habits in children.
9. Board and Card Games
If you haven’t realized it yet, the ability to read is important for playing games like Monopoly and certain turn-based card games. In card games, reading the instructions on the cards is often essential for battles and dueling with your opponent.
While the reading content might be limited, as you tend to repeat the same instructions, using games as a method to encourage regular reading in kids can be a creative approach. It’s worth a try if you’re desperate to instill a habit of reading in your kids, utilizing the engaging context of games to make the process enjoyable.

10. Try Storytelling Time
Being a fantastic storyteller with a captivating narrating voice can make reading to your kids a thrilling and exciting experience. Imagine the fun of sharing ghost stories during a camping trip, filling them with both spookiness and anticipation.
The tradition of storytelling, especially with a spooky twist during camping trips remains a beloved tradition around the world. It’s a wonderful and fun way to spark your child’s interest in reading. If your storytelling voice isn’t your strong suit, you can explore audiobooks and find narrators with intriguing voices to bring stories to life. You can try our free audiobook, it has a very interesting narrator that is fun and interesting for kids, just use the free promo code for Audible.
11. Make It a Habit by Reading to Them Daily.
Reading to your kids every day can establish a daily routine, making it something they become accustomed to. This consistency aids in the development of the habit, either by them independently adopting it or forming a routine of reading with their parents. Establishing a daily habit involves initially doing the activity every day until it becomes ingrained in their lifestyle.
Conclusion
Hopefully, these tips prove helpful in cultivating a regular reading habit for your kids. Establishing this habit early on in life is crucial, offering them a valuable advantage over their peers. Reading plays a significant role in their overall development, and making it a consistent part of their routine can set the stage for a lifetime of learning.
By AL Tran
Source:
- Harackiewicz, J. M., Smith, J. L., & Priniski, S. J. (2016). Interest Matters: The Importance of Promoting Interest in Education. Policy Insights From the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 3(2), 220. https://doi.org/10.1177/2372732216655542
- Sivaraman, M., & Fahmie, T. A. (2018). Using common interests to increase socialization between children with autism and their peers. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 51, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2018.03.007