World Book Day is fantastic, isn’t it? The kids get all excited, dress up as their favourite characters, and maybe even pick up a new book or two. But what happens when the costumes go back in the cupboard, and the reading buzz fades? If you’ve got a reluctant reader at home, you might be wondering how to keep that enthusiasm going.
Don’t worry—you’re not alone! Loads of parents face the same challenge, and the good news is, there are plenty of ways to make reading fun all year round. Here are some tips to help keep your child turning the pages (without it feeling like a chore!).
1. Make Reading a Choice, Not a Chore
Let’s be honest—kids don’t like being told what to do (do any of us?). If reading feels like homework, they’ll switch off. Instead, give them the freedom to choose their own books. Graphic novels, magazines, joke books, even football match reports—it all counts! The key is to let them enjoy the experience, whatever that looks like.
2. Lead by Example
If you want your child to love reading, show them that you do too. Curl up with a book, chat about what you’re reading, or read something together. Even if you’re more of a ‘scroll on your phone’ type of reader, try reading aloud an interesting article you’ve found. Seeing you enjoy reading will make them more likely to give it a go themselves.
3. Make It Social
Some kids love a bit of competition or social interaction. Try setting up a mini book club with their friends, or find a local library reading challenge. Even just talking about books together can make a difference—ask them about their favourite characters or what they think might happen next in a story.
4. Use Technology to Your Advantage
Not all reading has to be on paper! Audiobooks, eBooks, and interactive reading apps can be a brilliant way to get kids into stories. Websites like Oxford Owl and Storynory offer free stories and audiobooks, and BBC Bitesize has great resources too.
5. Follow Their Interests
If your child loves dinosaurs, get them a dinosaur fact book. If they’re obsessed with gaming, find a book based on their favourite game. There are books about every hobby and interest imaginable—sometimes, it just takes the right topic to spark a love of reading.
6. Read Together (Yes, Even With Older Kids!)
Reading aloud isn’t just for little ones. Sharing a book together, taking turns reading, or even listening to an audiobook while doing something else (like drawing or building with LEGO) can be a great way to engage reluctant readers without making it feel like a big deal.
7. Make It Fun and Rewarding
Create a ‘reading jar’ with fun challenges (like ‘read under a blanket fort’ or ‘read in a silly voice’). Some kids respond well to rewards—maybe they get to stay up 10 minutes later if they finish a chapter, or earn a sticker each time they read for 10 minutes. Little incentives can work wonders!
8. Be Patient
Not every child is going to be a bookworm overnight, and that’s okay. The important thing is to create a positive relationship with reading. Keep it fun, relaxed, and pressure-free, and you’ll be helping to build a lifelong love of books.
So, as the World Book Day hype settles down, why not try some of these tips? Who knows, you might just have a budding book lover on your hands before you know it!
