5 Creative Ways to Encourage a Love of Reading in Your Child

Reading is one of life’s quiet pleasures and a powerful tool for learning, but not every child takes to it straight away. If your child resists books or sees reading as a chore, it might be time to try something a little different.

Beyond bedtime stories and book lists, there are imaginative, playful ways to help children develop a lifelong love of reading. Here are five creative strategies that can make books more exciting and meaningful for kids of all ages.

1. Create a “Reading Fortnight” with Themed Days

Instead of telling your child to read more, make it part of a fun, structured event. Designate two weeks as “Reading Fortnight” and assign quirky daily themes like “Mismatched Monday” (read a book wearing silly socks), “Treasure Tuesday” (hide a book and give clues), or “Fantasy Friday” (everyone speaks like a character from a story). Include simple rewards like hot chocolate, a badge, or choosing dinner. This makes reading feel like play and gives your child something to look forward to. It’s especially effective when the whole family gets involved and commits to the literary fun.

2. Pair Reading with Real-Life Experiences

Link books with hands-on experiences to deepen engagement. Reading a story set in the Australian bush? Follow it up with a local bushwalk. A book about baking? Try the recipe together. If a child reads about animals, plan a visit to a sanctuary or zoo. These connections bring stories to life and reinforce the idea that books are doorways to real adventures. Even simple activities like mapping out where characters travel or creating artwork inspired by a book can create lasting emotional links between reading and joy.

3. Let Them Be the Storyteller

Flip the script: instead of reading to your child, invite them to read with you, changing characters’ voices or inventing alternate endings. Encourage them to rewrite a scene in their own words or illustrate a story page-by-page. For younger children, even “reading” by flipping through wordless picture books and narrating what they see builds confidence and creativity. Giving children ownership of storytelling, whether they’re reading or inventing, helps them see themselves as participants in the world of books, not just consumers of it.

4. Host a Reading Picnic with a Twist

Pack up some snacks, a rug, and a few carefully selected books, then head outdoors to your backyard, the local park, even your lounge room floor transformed with a picnic vibe. The twist? Invite stuffed animals, pets, or siblings to be the audience, and take turns reading aloud. Children are more likely to embrace reading when it’s part of a shared, joyful ritual rather than an assigned task. Let them choose the books and lead the way. Even reluctant readers will be more engaged in a relaxed and novel setting.

5. Start a “Book Detective” Club

Turn reading into a mystery game. Pick a book with a puzzle, secret, or mystery at its heart. As your child reads (or listens), have them jot down clues, make predictions, and solve “cases.” You can design simple printable forms with magnifying glasses or fingerprint stamps. Make it a weekly event where they report their “findings.” This strategy encourages close reading, boosts comprehension, and adds excitement. Best of all, it works for fiction, non-fiction, and graphic novels. Bonus points if you let them dress up as detectives!

How Tutor Doctor Can Help Encourage a Love of Reading

At Tutor Doctor, we know that every child connects with reading differently. That’s why we tailor our tutoring to match your child’s interests, strengths, and preferred learning style. Whether your child is just starting out or needs a boost in confidence, our qualified tutors use engaging, student-centred techniques to nurture reading fluency and enjoyment.

We help children discover books that speak to them and support parents with practical strategies at home. Our one-on-one support ensures that reading becomes not just a skill, but a source of curiosity, creativity, and confidence.