As we step into a new year, there’s no better time to spark a fresh love for reading in your kids. The start of 2025 brings a chance to introduce new habits that inspire curiosity, nurture imagination, and bring families closer together through books. With a little planning, reading can become a cherished part of your family’s daily rhythm, not just another activity on the to-do list. Try these simple ways to raise readers!
1. Create a Cozy and Inviting Reading Nook
A designated reading space can create positive associations with books and help get your kids excited about books as part of their daily routine.
Why a Special Reading Space Makes a Difference
Creating an inviting reading nook at home can make books feel like a special outlet to adventure and escape. Plus it’s a space where kids know they can feel calm and bonded with the most important person in their lives – you!
Designate a small space for a reading nook where your child can go to relax, unwind, and focus on reading. This space doesn’t need to be fancy—a few cozy cushions, a warm blanket, and a small shelf of books can go a long way. Add soft lighting, like a reading lamp or string lights, to make the nook feel magical.
Practical Tips for a Great Reading Nook
- Personalize the space with your child’s favorite colors, stuffed animals, or art.
- Rotate the books every couple of weeks to keep them interested in new titles.
- Add a “book treasure box” with surprises, like a snack or a bookmark, to make visits to the reading nook exciting.
2. Role Model Reading
When you show genuine interest and joy in reading, you send a clear message that reading is a valuable and enjoyable activity. Role modeling is one of the simple but powerful ways to raise readers.
How to Show Them You Love to Read, Too!
One of the best ways to get your kids excited about books is by reading for your own enjoyment. Kids learn by example, and when they see parents or caregivers reading regularly, they’re more likely to become readers themselves. Share your reading time with your kids, let them know why you enjoy it, and even discuss interesting parts of your book with them.
How to Model a Love of Reading
- Set aside family reading time where everyone reads their own book for 15–20 minutes.
- Share what you’re reading and ask them about their own books.
- Visit a library or bookstore together to pick out books as a family.
- Discuss how reading can fit into your day, like reading before bed or on a lazy weekend morning.
3. Turn Off Electronics and Limit Screen Time
One of the most effective ways to raise readers is placing limits on screen time. Turning off electronics makes it easier to focus on the magic of books and helps reinforce the importance of time spent with a story.
Creating the Right Environment for Reading
Reducing screen time creates a balanced environment where reading is a rewarding option. Set aside specific times during the day where electronics are off limits, and reading is one of the encouraged activities. This small change helps kids associate reading with relaxation, discovery, and family bonding.
Simple Steps to Implement Screen-Free Time
- Choose a specific “screen-free” time in your routine, like after dinner or before bed.
- Use a reward system where kids earn screen time after spending some time with a book.
- Introduce quiet reading hours to encourage independent reading, where everyone takes a break from screens.
4. Make Reading Interactive and Fun
Interactive reading encourages imagination and helps make stories more memorable. Adding hands-on activities makes reading a multi-dimensional experience, which is an effective way to raise readers in your home.
Engaging Activities that Spark Interest in Books
Interactive reading can make stories come alive and help get your kids excited about books. Try reading a story together and adding a hands-on activity related to the book, like drawing, acting out scenes, or even crafting something related to the story. For example, after reading a book about animals, your child could draw their favorite animal character, or if the story is about cooking, try a simple recipe together.
Fun Ideas to Make Reading Interactive
- Ask engaging questions as you read, like, “What do you think will happen next?”
- Host a family “book theater” where each family member acts out a scene from a favorite story.
- Create story-related crafts, like a bookmark featuring the book’s main character.
5. Set Up a Reading Routine
Setting up a reading routine helps kids see books as an important and enjoyable part of their life, giving them the foundation for a lifelong love of reading.
Establishing Consistency to Foster a Love for Books
A daily reading routine is one of the best ways to raise readers. It makes reading a natural part of their day. You might choose to read together before bedtime or right after dinner—whatever fits your family’s schedule best. Consistency is key, and by incorporating reading into your routine, kids start to look forward to it and see it as a calming and enjoyable activity.
Simple Strategies to Start a Reading Routine
- Choose a specific time each day that works for everyone, like bedtime or afternoon.
- Create reading rituals by including fun elements like reading pajamas or a cozy blanket.
- Celebrate reading milestones with small rewards, like stickers or an extra story night.
The Best Ways to Raise Readers
Remember, your kids look to you to set the tone for reading. If they see you reading for fun, and if you devote time to your kids by reading aloud, your kids will naturally become interested, too. The bottom line? You hold the key to unlocking a myriad of wonderful ways to raise readers.
20 Books Your Kids Will Love in 2025
If you’re searching for the most effective ways to raise readers, finding books your kids will love is the way to begin! Take them to the library and let them explore and choose books that interest them. If you need some recommendations, start with these great titles below!
- Dream Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison
- What Do You Do with an Idea? by Kobi Yamada
- The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
- Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss
- I Am Enough by Grace Byers
- The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
- The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba
- Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
- Brave Irene by William Steig
- The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do by Ashley Spires
- Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
- Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson
- Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
- The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi
- Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream by Deloris Jordan
- Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña
- Flight School by Lita Judge
- She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton
- How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers
- If You Want to See a Whale by Julie Fogliano
