Reading is a magical skill that opens doors to adventure, knowledge, and the fine art of ignoring people while pretending you’re deeply engrossed. But to teach your child to love reading can feel trickier than getting them to eat their broccoli sometimes, am I right?

Luckily, turning your kids into enthusiastic readers doesn’t require wizardry, bribery (though gummy bears never hurt), or intense negotiations. With a few playful strategies, some patience, and maybe a bit of reverse psychology, you’ll soon have tiny bookworms begging for “just one more chapter.”

Let’s dive in!

Make Storytime a Performance (Yes, Really!)

Want to captivate your kiddo’s attention? Treat storytime like your audition for Broadway (minus the jazz hands—unless that’s your thing). Reading aloud with silly voices, exaggerated facial expressions, and sound effects transforms books into mini-performances. Sure, your partner might stare at you wondering when exactly you lost your dignity, but your kid? They’ll love every hilarious second.

Pro tip: If you feel ridiculous, you’re doing it right. Kids appreciate commitment to absurdity.

Stockpile Books Everywhere (Literally Everywhere)

Your house should look like you’re planning a literary-themed treasure hunt: picture books in the kitchen, board books in the bathroom, story collections near the toy chest. Kids naturally gravitate toward what’s easily accessible. If a book is always within reach, eventually they’ll start flipping through pages—usually when you’re desperately trying to get them ready for school or bed, but hey, beggars can’t be choosers.

Visit the Library—A.K.A. Free Entertainment!

Libraries are an often-overlooked tool to teach your child to love reading. First, they’re free, which instantly makes them amazing. Second, many libraries offer storytime events, crafts, and other activities that convince kids reading is actually fun. Bonus points if your local librarian is basically Mary Poppins reincarnated (you know the one). Regular visits make books feel exciting and special—and give your wallet a break from impulse-buying glitter-covered unicorn stories.

Embrace the Power of Choice (Within Reason)

To teach your child to love reading, give them control over their book choices.—probably because their lives mostly involve people telling them what they can’t do (climb furniture, eat crayons, adopt squirrels). Let your child pick books that excite them—even if it means reading the same story about a talking potato 37 times in a row. By allowing them to choose, you’re subtly teaching that reading is something they control and enjoy, rather than something they’re forced into.

(Just brace yourself for that talking potato’s catchphrase haunting your dreams. Totally worth it.)

Decode the Mystery of Words (Syllable Types and Other Magic Tricks)

To teach your child to love reading as they grow, and as reading becomes more complex, But fear not, weary parent! Understanding some basic reading hacks can turn you into a phonics ninja. For example, knowing the basics about syllable types—open syllables, closed syllables, vowel teams—can simplify teaching reading significantly. You don’t have to become a linguistics professor, but learning a little can make reading seem like an exciting puzzle rather than homework.

(Plus, casually dropping terms like “open syllables” impresses judgmental neighbors at PTA meetings.)

Make Reading Part of Your Daily Ritual (Like Coffee)

Kids crave routines, even if they constantly try to rebel against them. Making storytime a predictable part of their day—say, after bathtime or before bed—creates anticipation. They’ll associate books with comfort and relaxation rather than something interrupting their important tasks (like rearranging your shoe collection or decorating your walls with permanent markers).

Lead By Example (Put Down Your Phone)

This one hurts, but hear me out: kids mimic what we do, not what we say. If you’re constantly scrolling TikTok instead of reading, guess what’s going to seem way more appealing? Yup—endless dance challenges. Let them catch you reading occasionally. Even if it’s secretly a cookbook and you’re just wondering how to make mac-and-cheese without burning it, they’ll absorb that books are valuable.

(And maybe you finally perfect that mac-and-cheese recipe. Win-win!)

Embrace Graphic Novels and Audiobooks (Not Cheating!)

There’s a weird myth that audiobooks or graphic novels don’t “count” as real reading. Nonsense. Graphic novels combine visual storytelling with words, helping kids develop critical thinking skills. Audiobooks encourage vocabulary growth and imagination. Both formats keep reluctant readers engaged. Plus, audiobooks buy you peace during long car rides, and graphic novels get you street cred with your cool niece who loves superheroes.

Reward, Don’t Bribe (Okay, Maybe Bribe a Little)

Offering positive reinforcement like a sticker chart for books finished, a special bookmark, or an extra bedtime story is totally fair game. However, avoid turning reading into a chore by promising cash payouts or toys for pages read—otherwise, you’re training future mini-lawyers who will negotiate contracts for every bedtime.

(But, you know, an occasional ice cream cone for finishing a challenging book? Consider it a tactical victory.)

You’re doing great, and you’ll effectively teach your child to love reading by taking the time to explore words with them in any way you can!