5 Ways to Make Reading Fun at Home

Reading should not feel like a chore or an extension of homework. It should feel like an adventure, an escape, a hobby. A child curled up with a book is not just learning to read; they are learning to imagine, explore, and connect. As parents and guardians, we have an excellent opportunity to shape how our children feel about reading, and it does not take fancy materials or elaborate plans. All it takes is creativity and thinking outside the box.

Here are five simple but powerful ways to make reading fun at home.

1. Create a Reading Nook

Children love spaces that feel like their own. Try carving out a cosy little reading nook. Don't rush out to buy a tipi or a tent. Use what you have and personalise it within your budget. Your child's reading nook can be a corner with a soft mat and pillows or a tent made from a sheet draped over chairs or hanging from a hook on the ceiling. Add a basket of books, a stuffed toy, and maybe a small lamp. Let your child decorate the space with drawings or stickers. When children have a space they associate with reading, they are more likely to see it as a positive experience.

2. Let Them Choose the Book

Adults often guide book choices based on what is educational or age-appropriate. STOP! While that is important, giving children the chance to choose what they want to read is just as valuable. Don't criticise their reading choices. Yes, we want their reading to progress, but reading for enjoyment is equally important. Let them choose their book, whether it is a silly book, a book with no real storyline, or even the same book for the fifteenth time (toddlers are infamous for this!). Let THEM lead. Children develop confidence and a sense of ownership over their reading when they have some control over it.

3. Act It Out

When I hosted my in-person sessions at The Reading Garden in Trinidad, parents always told me their child would say to them at story time at home, "Read it like Aunty Reiko".

Reading a book with expression and using different voices for each character is MAGIC! Make sound effects. Pause and ask questions. Reading aloud can become a performance, and children love it. If the story features animals, act like the animals. If the characters go on an adventure, mimic the actions. Invite your child to participate by repeating lines, making faces, or helping you guess what happens next. The more interactive the experience, the more memorable it becomes.

4. Pair Books with Activities

One of the most engaging ways to bring a book to life is to follow it with a related craft or activity. If you read a story about the sea, make a paper boat. If you read about animals, play a matching game with animal cards. Doing this not only reinforces what was read but also helps with comprehension and fine motor development. Children remember what they do, and by adding an activity, reading becomes more than just words on a page.

5. Make It Routine, Not Rushed

A reading routine should not feel forced. Choose a time that feels relaxed and consistent. For some families, it is right after lunch on a Sunday; for others, it is part of the bedtime routine. What matters is that it becomes a calm moment of connection. Sit together, turn off distractions, and enter the world of the story with your child. Remember, 15 minutes a day can make a lasting difference.

My Final Thoughts

At The Reading Garden, we focus on the joy of reading. Reading is about creating moments that children carry with them forever. With a little thought, a little effort, and an abundance of love, reading can become the best part of your child's day.

Whether you are a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, remember that YOUR voice, YOUR time, and YOUR presence make every story more MAGICAL.