5 Creative Ways to Engage Reluctant Readers

As parents, we all want our children to develop a love for reading, but some kids just aren’t eager to sit down with a book. If your child resists reading time, don’t worry—there are plenty of ways to make reading feel less like a chore and more like an adventure! Here are five creative strategies to engage reluctant readers and build their confidence.

1. Make It Active

Many reluctant readers struggle because sitting still is really hard! Instead of insisting they stay seated, integrate movement into reading time. Try:

• Let them walk around while you read! They can listen and move!

• Encourage them to act out parts of the story

• Letting your child jump or move every time they hear a sight word

Physical engagement helps make reading an interactive experience rather than a passive one.

2. Use Audiobooks and Read-Alongs

If your child struggles with decoding words, audiobooks can be a great way to engage them in a story while reducing frustration. Pairing an audiobook with a print copy allows them to follow along, and reinforces word recognition while they enjoy the story. Some fun ways to use audiobooks:

• Play them during car rides

• Listen together and pause to discuss interesting parts

• Encourage your child to act as the “sound effects” specialist for the book

Your public library likely has a bunch of paired books with CDs that aren’t getting a lot of use — these are a wonderful interactive tool!

3. Follow Their Interests

Kids are much more likely to engage with reading when it’s about something they love. If your child is obsessed with dinosaurs, soccer, or video games, find books, comics, or magazines that align with those interests. Even non-traditional formats like:

• Graphic novels

• Joke books

• How-to guides (e.g., learning magic tricks or coding)

…can be great entry points into a reading habit!

4. Let Them Be the Storyteller

Some kids feel pressure when trying to read the words on a page. Flip the script by letting them be the storyteller. You can:

• Use wordless picture books and have them create the story

• Take turns making up what happens next in a story

• Have them “read” a familiar book in their own words

This builds narrative skills and makes reading feel like a collaborative process.

5. Remember that reading isn’t just books

While books are important, you can develop important skills without any books!

Find Words in the Wild: Turn everyday outings into word hunts! Encourage your child to spot and read words on street signs, billboards, grocery store labels, or restaurant menus. Make it a game by having them find a word that starts with a specific letter or look for rhyming words.

Play Word Games in the Car or on the Bus: Long drives (or even short ones) are great opportunities for literacy play. Try rhyming word challenges (“Can you think of three words that rhyme with ‘car’?”), spotting sight words on license plates, or taking turns making up a silly story one sentence at a time.

Follow a Recipe Together: Cooking provides a natural opportunity for reading practice. Have your child read ingredients, follow simple directions, and measure out portions. This reinforces reading comprehension and sequencing skills in a meaningful way.

The goal is to help your child see that reading isn’t just something that happens at school or during designated "reading time"—it’s part of everyday life. By making reading feel natural, fun, and interactive, you’ll help your child develop essential literacy skills without the pressure of sitting down with a book.

Moving from struggle to engagement

Every child’s reading journey is different, and it’s okay if it takes time to find what works. The key is to remove pressure and make reading enjoyable. By turning reading into an interactive, engaging, and personalized experience, you’ll help your child build confidence and curiosity that will serve them well for years to come.

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