5 Powerful Strategies to Make Kids Love Reading

Does your child avoid books?

For many parents, getting kids to read feels like an uphill battle. With so many distractions—TV, video games, and endless apps—books often take a backseat. But what if reading wasn’t something they had to do but something they wanted to do? 

The key is not forcing it but instead making books feel fun, exciting, and rewarding. Here are five practical strategies to help your child build a genuine love for reading. 

1. Let Them Choose What They Read

 Are you picking their books, or are they choosing for themselves?

Kids are far more likely to read when they get to decide what interests them. When reading feels like a personal choice rather than a requirement, they engage with books naturally. 

How to Apply This:

✔ Take them to the library or bookstore and let them browse freely. 

✔ Don’t limit their choices—comics, joke books, graphic novels, and magazines all count! 

✔ Encourage book series—characters they connect with will keep them coming back for more. 

Why This Works: Kids develop independence and excitement about reading when they feel in control of their book choices. 

2. Make Reading a Multi-Sensory Experience

Does reading feel like just words on a page, or is it an adventure? 

For some kids, words alone don’t capture their imagination. Making reading more interactive helps them connect with the story in a meaningful way. 

How to Apply This:

✔ Act out scenes from the book—use voices, gestures, and even props. 

✔ Let them draw their favourite characters or retell the story in their own way. 

✔ Try audiobooks—listening to expressive storytelling can spark interest in reading along. 

Why This Works: When kids interact with books beyond just reading, they become more engaged and excited about stories. 

3. Turn Reading Into a Game

Is reading a chore, or can it be a fun challenge?

If books feel like schoolwork, kids will resist them. But if reading is playful, they’ll approach it with excitement. 

How to Apply This:

✔ Create a reading challenge—reward them for finishing books or reaching milestones. 

✔ Use a reading bingo card with fun tasks like “Read under a blanket” or “Read a book with an animal on the cover.” 

✔ Let them “read” to a pet, sibling, or even their stuffed animals—it makes them feel confident and involved. 

Why This Works: Making reading enjoyable removes pressure and turns it into an exciting activity instead of a task. 

4. Create a Cozy and Book-Friendly Environment

Are books part of their daily surroundings, or do they feel like school assignments?

A home that encourages reading makes all the difference. When books are within reach and reading feels comfortable, kids naturally gravitate toward them. 

How to Apply This:

✔ Set up a special reading corner with pillows, soft lighting, and their favorite books. 

✔ Keep books in different places—next to their bed, in the living room, or even in the car. 

✔ Be a reading role model—let them see you enjoying books too! 

Why This Works: A warm and inviting reading space makes books feel like a natural part of daily life rather than a duty. 

5. Keep the Pressure Low and the Encouragement High

Does reading feel stressful, or is it an enjoyable experience?

Sometimes, kids avoid reading because they feel judged on how fast or well they read. Removing pressure and focusing on encouragement makes a huge difference. 

How to Apply This:

✔ Never force a book they dislike—help them find one they enjoy instead. 

✔ Praise their effort rather than ability (e.g. “I love that you explored a new book!”). 

✔ Let them take their time—rereading favourite books is just as valuable as discovering new ones. 

Why This Works: When kids feel relaxed and confident, they develop a lifelong love for books instead of seeing reading as a burden. 

Final Thoughts: Small Changes, Big Results

Helping kids love reading doesn’t require strict rules or forcing them to read for a certain amount of time. The secret is making books a natural, enjoyable, and rewarding part of their world. 

Which strategy will you try first?

Whether it’s letting them pick their own books, making reading interactive, or turning it into a game, these small steps can lead to a lifelong love for stories.