How to Get Kids to Read More

kids these days need more magic in their lives. five steps to making reading as normal as breathing.

The urging to get kids to read is one that has been consistent for years and years, but I feel it’s only become more important. It’s like how your mom reminds you to do something all the time and you say yeah okay I’ve got it and the more she reminds you the less you care then all of a sudden you didn’t do it and you have an oh shit moment.

The more something is told, the less meaning it has. Unfortunately and ironically, it ends up being quite important. As social media and the internet become more entrenched in daily life for kids, the more important reading becomes for them and their mental health.

1. Set a Routine

   1. Simply add reading time into their routine. Make it an everyday thing to read, an activity you share with the child. And most importantly, make sure they like the book they’re reading. Quickly enough, it will become normal and expected.

2. Interact

   1. This especially applies for young children, where you have those actual interactive books and practice reading, etc. However, some of my favorite memories around middle school were of the summer reading challenge at our local library. For every book I read, I was one step closer to my prize. It was interactive, and I was rewarded.

3. Be A Role Model

   1. As an adult in a child’s life, you are inherently a role model for them. You might be an aunt or uncle, a parent, grandparent, teacher, family friend, nanny. No matter what, you have the ability to influence them. Show them how cool it is to read!

4. Emphasize Rewards and Independence

   1. Well, for rewards, see item two for that summer reading challenge at the library. These challenges can even be in classrooms or simply an at-home thing to encourage reading. For independence, what a cool thing for kids. They want to be independent, and they get independent time to select their book as well as read it.

5. Make It Fun

   1. I think the biggest thing that keeps people, especially teenagers, from reading are the books required in school. Personally, there were some books I really enjoyed but also others I did not want to read. Luckily, I was aware of the ‘fun’ books and still made time for those. Most kids associate the school reading with simply reading.
      By making sure the reading is part of routine and positive reinforcement before they get to this stage of school is critical to continue the reading. Now they know that these school books they might not like aren’t the only books out there.

These five things make reading cool — all you need to get a kid to read. They make reading fun and positively reinforced for years. I’ve written a lot about the importance of reading on here, like this article here:

12. Literacy in America & Why We Should Read More

And I’ll continue to, just like I am right now. Reading as a child made me smart. It made me able to memorize things and succeed in school. It kept my imagination and creativity sharp throughout my life. It allowed for escapism when needed, magic. And kids these days especially need some magic in their lives.

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All links to books are affiliate links through bookshop.org to help support indie bookstores.

1. Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry (Fantasy): May 6, 2025

2. The Tenant by Frieda McFadden (Thriller): May 6, 2025

3. One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune (Romance): May 6, 2025

4. My Friends by Fredrik Backman (Literary Fiction): May 6, 2025

5. Silver Elite by Dani Francis (Romance, Sci Fi): May 6, 2025

6. What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon (Romance): May 6, 2025

Books I’ve compiled from a variety of bestseller lists. I add the books I haven’t before, since I’ve caught up to the new additions. If you’re curious, last week’s post can be found here.

1. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (Romance, His Fic)

2. 2 Sisters Murder Investigations by James Patterson, Candice Fox (Thriller)

3. Shadow of The Solstice by Anne Hillerman (Thriller)

4. Notes to John by Joan Didion (Nonfiction, Memoir)

If you have a book recommendation to share, send me a DM or email me at thesundayreads@gmail.com!

1. My Friends by Fredrik Backman

   1. I don’t have words. It’s amazing. Probably my favorite of his books which is saying something.

That’s all for today. Much love

Izzy