13 Creative Ways to Encourage Your Child to Read After School

Growing up, my favorite pastime was reading. You would never catch me without a book in my hand. The world I found hidden between pages was so much more interesting and lively than the world around me. Even as an adult, my favorite hobby has always been reading a good book. That's why when my oldest daughter began school, I was shocked to learn that she hated reading.

I knew that reading was a skill she needed, and one that could help her in many ways as she grew, but getting her to actually want to do it was the challenge. So, I set out on a quest to find creative ways to encourage reading.

Now that she is in middle school, she has developed a love for reading. Getting her to that point was quite the journey, though. You may find yourself in the same situation as I was. Your child may be a reluctant reader, or they'd rather play on electronics than pick up a book. Whatever the case, take it from a mom who's been there — there are fun and creative ways to encourage your child to read — and they actually work.

Why Is Reading Important in Childhood?

All the experts say it, but is reading really important in childhood? The short answer is absolutely. Reading is a necessity for basic education. Once your child has a strong foundation in reading and comprehension, the sky's the limit on what they can learn.

Do they want to learn why extreme weather happens? They don't have to wait for someone to explain a tornado formation to them; they can pick up a book on extreme weather or even find a credible article online. Whatever their interest, your child will have the world at their fingertips once they know how to read and then continuously grow those skills.

Should You Encourage Your Child to Read Every Day?

Sometimes our day-to-day lives feel much like a rat race. However, encouraging your child to read every day outside of school is extremely important. Although it may seem like a small thing, it has numerous benefits.

According to the National Literacy Institute, the US ranks 36th in literacy worldwide. Additionally, 54% of adults in the United States have literacy skills below or at the 6th-grade level. This is discouraging for a country that boasts of having resources at its fingertips. We can help set our children up for success simply by encouraging (not nagging) them to read and making it a habit.

Benefits of Reading More in Childhood (And as an Adult!)

In case I need to sell you more on the benefits, take a look at these incredible advantages that come with reading as a child and an adult. Reading frequently can:

• Reduce stress
• Sharpen your mind
• Improve your memory
• Increase vocabulary
• Help develop empathy
• Help you see different perspectives
• Increase critical thinking skills
• Benefit conversational skills
• Improve language skills
• Increase communication
• Improve sleep

Creative Ways for Parents to Encourage Their Kids to Read

Now, let's explore 13 creative ways for parents to encourage their children to read after school. It's essential to approach this with a fun attitude and make it enjoyable for your child. The last thing you want is for them to feel like reading is a chore! This is especially true if you have a reluctant or struggling reader. What I learned from the years with my reluctant reader is to lean into slow and steady with a ton of grace sprinkled in. Here are some engaging ideas I used with my child that are both fun and effective.

Pick a Book to Read Together

One of the best ways to encourage your child to read is by modeling the behavior yourself. An easy way to do so is to pick a book to read together. You can buy two copies of the book or pass it back and forth if your child is older. Then share your thoughts and feelings about each chapter with one another; this can be an excellent bonding activity.

If your child is on the younger side, reading out loud together may quickly become one of their favorite activities to do after school.

Use a Book Tracker

There are numerous types of book trackers available. Choose one that you think your child will love, or make your own. Use the tracker to keep track of the books your child reads throughout the year (or month).

Let Your Child Pick a Big “Prize After So Many Books”

This was one of the first things I did to encourage my reluctant child to read more often. I told her that once she filled up her tracker, she would be able to pick a big “prize” to do or have. Her big prize was a family trip to Great Wolf Lodge. Of course, the prize doesn't have to be that big; anything to get your child excited and ready to crush a goal will do.

Look Into Graphic Novels

Another way to get your child into reading and excited is to look into graphic novels. Before you say, ‘but wait, those don't really count,' they do! Anything that gently encourages your child towards reading should count and can be an excellent catalyst for extended and more in-depth chapter books.

Graphic novels are fun; they are usually colorful, have interesting stories, and the pictures are an engaging way to activate your child's imagination.

Find Books Geared Towards Your Child's Interests

What are some things that your child is interested in? Do they enjoy fishing or nature? What about history? Would they love to read more mysteries? Introduce your child to books that dig deep into their interests. No one says reading has to be boring and stuffy.

Start a Book Club with Their Friends

Book clubs can be a fun way to get excited about a new book, and they aren't just for adults! Help your child start a book club with their friends or find one at your local library.

The club can help keep your child on track to meet their reading goals while also working on their communication and interpersonal skills.

Set Aside a Time Specifically for Reading Every Afternoon (And Join Your Child!)

Sometimes a good routine is all your child needs. Pick a time that works for you and set it aside every day after school. You can even add it to their homework time to keep it simple. The time doesn't even have to be that long — 20-30 minutes is a great time limit for older children. 10-15 minutes is perfect for little ones.

Create a Little Reading Nook

Having a fun and cozy place to sit and relax while reading can be a perfect way to encourage your child to pick up a book after school. Even better if you get them involved in creating this space. They will be more excited about using it if they have a say in the matter.

Do A Fun Activity to Reinforce What Your Child Read

If your child is younger, you can have them draw a picture showing what they read. An older child may enjoy recapping the chapter of the book they are on. There are also many activity suggestions online that can be a fun way to connect with your child over the book they are reading.

Share Your Favorite Book(s) With Your Child

Do you have a favorite book that you read when you were your child's age? Introduce it to them. Who knows, they may enjoy it just as much as you did!

Pick a Book That Has a Movie Based on It

Another way to get your child excited about what they are reading is to choose a book that has been adapted into a movie. Then tell your child you will watch the movie after they finish the book. Then they can compare and contrast the two! We recently did this with “Ivan the Great.”

Pick a Book Series to Read Together

Read a book series together, such as “The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe” or “Harry Potter.” The anticipation of each new book in the series may be enough to keep some engrossed in the books.

Ask Your Child to Tell You About What They Are Reading

This one is simple. Show interest in what your child is reading. If they see that you are interested in the book as well, they may be even more excited about reading it. Then coming to you and recapping may make their day!

One Last Note

Reading shouldn't feel like a chore. Unfortunately, for many, it does feel that way. These tips offer creative ways to encourage reading with your child after school. Before you know it, they may actually look forward to reading before bed, and you won't have to nudge them any longer.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©FamVeld/Shutterstock.com