12 Easy Ways to Make Reading Fun for Kids Who Say “I Hate Reading”

Have you ever sat down for story time, excited to read with your child—only for them to groan, fidget, or suddenly remember they desperately need a snack? You’re not alone. For many kids, reading feels like work. And the more we nudge—“Just one more page?”—the more they push back.

But here’s the good news: reading doesn’t have to feel like a chore. With a few playful tweaks, you can transform story time into something they actually look forward to.

This isn’t about elaborate crafts or theatrical performances (though you can absolutely go there if you want). It’s about simple, low-prep ways to bring books to life. Because when reading feels like play, it stops being a fight—and starts becoming fun.

Why Making Reading Fun Matters

Think about how kids interact with the world. A cardboard box becomes a rocket ship. A handful of blocks becomes an entire city. But hand them a book? Suddenly, they’re “too tired.”

It’s not that they don’t enjoy stories—it’s that reading doesn’t always feel as exciting as the rest of their play. But that’s something we can change.

When reading feels playful and interactive:

• It keeps kids engaged longer.
• It boosts comprehension by making the story more vivid.
• It supports creativity and imagination.
• And—maybe most importantly—it lowers resistance.

When a child feels like they’re playing, not performing, they’re far more likely to dive in and stick with it.

12 Low-Prep Ways to Make Reading More Fun

1. Use Character Voices

Switch up your pitch, tone, or speed to give characters their own sound. Make the villain deep and dramatic. Try a squeaky voice for the sidekick. It doesn’t need to be polished—your enthusiasm is what matters.

One night, we were reading A Christmas Carol aloud, and I slowed my voice to a whisper, pointing across the room like the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. The next thing I know JD said, “Mom, can you stop creeping me out?”

I took that as a sign that I’d officially nailed the tone. And more importantly, he was hooked.

Pro tip: Let your child assign the voices or take over a few characters themselves.

2. Add Sound Effects

A boom of thunder, the creak of a door, the whoosh of a magic spell—these simple sounds can pull kids deeper into the story and keep them tuned in.

3. Act It Out

Use stuffed animals, action figures, or even wooden spoons as characters. Turn a blanket into a superhero cape. Create a mini scene from the story with whatever you have on hand.

We once built the three little pigs’ houses with pillows, blocks, and Legos—then I became the big bad wolf. Chaos? A little. Fun? Absolutely.

4. Flashlight Reading

Turn off the lights, grab a flashlight, and read under the covers. This adds just enough novelty to make even a familiar book feel like an adventure.

Bonus: “Shine-a-Light” books are especially fun for this kind of reading—hidden images appear when you shine a light behind the pages.

5. Match Your Reading Spot to the Story

Reading about pirates? Build a ship from couch cushions. Reading a jungle story? Set up outside on a blanket. A camping book? Read in a tent with snacks. Changing the setting brings the book’s world closer to theirs.

6. Change How You Sit

Upside down on the couch. Lying on the floor. Bouncing on an exercise ball. There’s no rule that says reading has to happen at a desk or upright on the couch.

7. Let Them Lead the Scene

Ask your child to direct the action. Who plays which character? How do we act this out? Letting them take charge gives them ownership over the experience—and adds a layer of creativity they’ll love.

8. Draw or Retell the Story

After reading, invite your child to draw their favorite scene, create a comic strip, or retell the story from another character’s point of view.

Try: “What if we rewrote the story from the villain’s side?” (Books like The True Story of the Three Little Pigs are great inspiration.)

9. Read in Unexpected Places

Read in different rooms. Try a “book picnic” in the yard. Read during snack time, in the bathtub (with waterproof books), or while waiting in the car. The change of scenery keeps things fresh.

10. Pick Books Made for Playful Reading

Before we started layering in flashlight fun, character voices, and silly sound effects—reading time had honestly become… a little stale. Predictable. It wasn’t something we looked forward to—it was something we powered through.

But when I started choosing books that lent themselves to playful reading and gave my kids the freedom to flop upside down or read from inside a blanket fort, something shifted. They weren’t just listening anymore—they were leaning in.

Books packed with dialogue and personality practically beg for expression. Some favorites:

• Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems
• The Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey
• Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein
• Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems

11. Try Retelling a Movie

Kids love reenacting their favorite movies—why not do the same with books? Use a simple script or take turns narrating and acting out scenes. You don’t need costumes—just enthusiasm.

Growing up, my family acted out Disney movies at Thanksgiving using scripts my grandfather wrote. I used to hate reading… but I loved that. Reading can be powerful when it’s connected to joy and family.

Looking back, those moments weren’t just silly fun with cousins. They were the start of something bigger. My grandfather showed me, in his own quiet way, that stories weren’t just something we read—they were full of connection and laughter and something we’ll share forever. And now, years later, I see those same threads weaving into how I show up for my kids with books.

12. Keep It Light

Some nights you’ll go all in with silly voices and props, other nights it’s a cozy story under a blanket, both ways count. It doesn’t need to be big—just consistent.

✨ Want to make reading more fun—without constantly coming up with new ideas?
Grab the Reading Bucket List Bundle and let your kids take the lead. With 164 mix-and-match ideas for what, where, and how to read, they’ll build playful reading experiences on their own—with little to no prep from you.

When to Try Playful Reading

• When your child starts dragging their feet about reading.
• When they love a book at first but start losing steam.
• When it’s a rainy or snowy day and you just need something creative.
• When they say, “I hate reading.” A playful shift might change everything.

One important note: If a book just isn’t clicking? It’s okay to stop. No amount of acting or voices will save a story your child isn’t into. Let it go. Move on. Try something new.

Reading Can—and Should—Be Fun

Reading doesn’t have to be quiet, serious, or structured. It can be silly, active, expressive—and yes, a little loud. There’s no one “right” way to read with your child.

The goal is to help them experience stories, not just read them. Whether that means howling like a wolf, shining a flashlight under the covers, or reading upside down—if it makes reading more joyful, it’s worth doing.

So go ahead—try one playful tweak tonight. And if it sparks a laugh, a conversation, or just one more page? That’s a win.

💬 Got a favorite playful reading idea? DM me @EngagingReluctantReaders—I’d love to hear what’s working for your family.

Recommended Resources: Playful Reading Favorites

Looking to add more fun to your read-aloud time? These resources can help bring stories to life.

Books That Practically Read Themselves Aloud

• Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems
• The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak
• Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein
• The Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey
• Elephant & Piggie series by Mo Willems
• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
• Shine-a-Light Books (like Secrets of the Rainforest by Carron Brown)

Creative Reading Tools to Explore

•🎲 Writing Prompt Dice – for inventing new tales after the book ends
• 👷‍♂️Fort Building Kits – or just a blanket and a little imagination!
• 📘 Epic! – Huge digital library for kids (has read-to me options with sound effects)
• 🛍️ PaperPie – High-quality children’s books for home collections
• 📖 Skybrary – Interactive e-books for kids (with illustrations that move)
• 🎶 Yoto Player – Screen-free audiobook player kids can control themselves (sound effects)
• 📥 Reading Bucket List Bundle – 164 ideas to help your child explore reading in creative ways
• 👩‍👩‍👧 Engaging Reluctant Readers Tribe (Facebook Group) – brainstorm ideas with other parents of reluctant readers

FAQs: How to Make Reading More Engaging

What if my child just refuses to read—even the fun stuff?

Start small. Try reading to them instead, even if they can read on their own. Use silly voices or let them act out while you narrate. You’re building positive associations first—fluency can come later.

How often should we do these playful reading activies?

There’s no right answer. Try one idea a week or mix things up every few days. If something clicks, repeat it! The goal is variety without pressure.

Will this distract my child from the actual reading?

Playful reading actually deepens comprehension and attention—because it keeps kids engaged. If a child is invested in the story, they’re more likely to understand and remember it.

Can I do this with older kids too?

Absolutely! They may not want puppets, but they’ll love retelling the story from the villain’s POV or using dramatic voices. Try collaborative storytelling or letting them design an alternate ending.