“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” - Emilie Buchwald
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I’ve been a bibliophile my whole life. Recently, I recalled to my mom how we used to drive cross country exchanging books-on-tape at different Cracker Barrels as we went. I found such a fascination with reading authors like Dick Francis, Mary Higgins Clark, Robert Jordan, and more. As a mother, I wanted our kids to love reading as much as I do. But, how to get them interested in reading without resorting to bribes or threats? Here are some fun ideas to get your kids excited about cracking open a book:
Make it a competition: Nothing gets kids more excited than the chance to beat their siblings or friends at something. Challenge your kids to see who can read the most books in a week or a month. The winner gets a prize, like an extra hour of screen time or a trip to the ice cream shop. Hey, whatever it takes, right?
Dress up like book characters: Turn reading time into dress-up time by encouraging your kids to dress up like their favorite book characters. Whether it's Harry Potter, Nancy Drew, or even a character they made up themselves, let their imaginations run wild. Join in on the fun and dress up as a character too!
Make it a family affair: Set aside some time each week for a family reading session. Everyone grabs their favorite book and settles in for some quiet reading time. It's a great way to bond as a family and show your kids that reading can be a fun and relaxing activity.
Bring the books to life: If your kids are into a certain book series or character, try to find ways to bring the story to life. For example, if they're reading "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," plan a family trip to a candy factory. Or, if they're reading about pirates, go on a treasure hunt in the backyard.
Use funny voices: Reading aloud to your kids can be a great way to get them interested in reading. But, let's be honest, reading in a monotone voice can put anyone to sleep. So, spice things up by using funny voices and accents. Your kids will be giggling in no time.
Find books where they relate to the characters or get excited about watching a film adaptation of the book or characters. My son LOVES Spider-man! My daughter is part of the Harry Potter fan club. Both cannot wait to finish their book so they can watch the next movie with their favorite characters.
Join Audible.com. This has been a godsend! I read to my kids before going to bed, but they can continue their own disparate books at night as they go to sleep.
So, there you have it, folks. Seven fun ways to get your kids interested in reading. And, who knows, you might just find yourself getting caught up in the magic of a good book too.