How to Make Reading Aloud Fun for Kids: Easy Storytime Tips for Parents
Reading aloud doesn’t have to feel like a task. With a few simple, child-friendly storytime tricks, you can create a daily reading routine your child will love and look forward to.
🎉 How to Make Reading Aloud Fun: Create a Special Storytime Routine
Reading aloud is one of the best bonding moments of the day. No screens, no distractions — just quality time together. But for some children (and parents 😉), reading can feel a bit repetitive or forced.
Thankfully, it’s easy to turn storytime into a fun, relaxing daily ritual. Cozy pillows, a soft blanket, warm lighting, and a great children’s book can turn reading aloud into your child’s favorite part of the day.
Create a cozy reading nook you return to every day.
Let your child choose the book to increase excitement and motivation.
🗣️ Read-Aloud Tips for Parents: Keep Kids Engaged and Curious
A story becomes memorable when you bring it to life. You don’t need to be a performer — small changes make a big difference in how engaged your child feels during storytime.
Effective Read-Aloud Tips for Parents
- Use expressive voices for each character.
- Pause during suspenseful moments and ask what your child thinks will happen next.
- Point out details in the artwork and let your child explore the illustrations.
- Let your child finish repetitive lines to encourage participation.
- Read slowly and calmly to build understanding and connection.
The more interactive storytime becomes, the more children enjoy it. Reading aloud works best as a playful, two-way interaction.
🌙 Bedtime Storytime: Calm, Comforting, and Great for Sleep
A bedtime story is one of the best ways to help children wind down and transition into sleep. A calm storytime routine helps your child relax after a busy, stimulating day.
How to Build the Perfect Bedtime Reading Routine
- Choose a consistent routine: pajamas → teeth → story → sleep.
- Let your child pick one or two bedtime favorites to keep beside the bed.
- Choose gentle, calm stories at night instead of high-energy adventures.
- End with a short reflection: “What was your favorite part of today?”
A predictable, loving routine helps your child feel safe, connected, and ready for sleep.
🐶 Storytime With Dog Stories: Why Kids Love Labrador Puppy Books
Many kids adore animals — especially dogs. A story featuring a dog or labrador puppy is ideal for encouraging kids who don’t naturally gravitate toward reading.
Dog stories work well because they are:
- Relatable: a playful puppy, a family, daily adventures.
- Emotion-rich: happiness, curiosity, bravery, silliness.
- Funny: dogs doing goofy things always get giggles.
Gomlin & Gizmo: two labrador puppies kids immediately fall in love with.
For reluctant readers, a lovable dog character can be the spark that makes reading exciting and enjoyable.
🤹♀️ Interactive Storytime: Engage, Imagine & Explore Together
Interactive reading helps children understand stories better and makes storytime more fun and educational.
Interactive Storytime Ideas
- Let your child make sounds that match the scene (barking dog, wind, rain).
- Ask questions like: “What would YOU do if you were the puppy?”
- Have your child draw or color their favorite story moment.
- Invent a new mini-adventure together after reading.
Turning storytime into a playful activity — instead of a lesson — is what truly makes reading aloud a celebration.
Make Storytime Magical With Gomlin & Gizmo
In the Gomlin & Gizmo storybooks, children follow two curious labrador puppies full of humor, friendship, and heart-warming adventures. These books are perfect for reading aloud and pairing with coloring activities.
Turn every storytime into a celebration: listen to the adventure first, then color or chat about what Gomlin and Gizmo discovered.
Order the Gomlin and Gizmo StorybooksGratis kleurplaten van Gomlin & Gizmo
Download één of meerdere gratis kleurplaten van onze labrador puppy’s. Leuk om te kleuren, te bewaren of cadeau te doen! 🐾
Alle kleurplaten vind je in het Gomlin en Gizmo kleurboek! 🎨🐾
Wil je nog veel meer kleurpret? Alle kleurplaten – als paperback of luxe hardcover – vind je in het prachtige Gomlin en Gizmo kleurboek. Leuk voor thuis, cadeau of in de klas!
Bekijk & bestel het kleurboekFrequently Asked Questions About Making Storytime Fun for Kids
Want to turn reading aloud into a fun daily ritual for you and your child? Below we answer common questions from parents about how to make reading fun, building a cozy storytime routine, and simple read-aloud tips for kids.
1
At what age should I start reading aloud to my child?
You can start very early with reading aloud – some parents begin when their baby is just a few months old. At that stage, it’s mostly about your voice, rhythm, and the comfort of being close together.
From around 2–3 years old, children begin actively listening and looking at the pictures. The earlier you start, the more natural it becomes for your child to see storytime as a cozy, safe part of the day.
2
What if my child doesn’t want to sit still during storytime?
That happens more often than you might think. Try to keep reading aloud light and playful instead of strict.
Let your child pick the book, skip a page if their focus fades, and feel free to just talk about the pictures or read only the shorter text parts.
The most important thing: don’t turn it into a battle. Better short and fun every day than long and “because we have to.”
3
How long should I read aloud each day to see the benefits?
You don’t need a lot of time. Just five to fifteen minutes of daily read-aloud time can make a big difference for language development, imagination, and your bond with your child.
Focus on consistency rather than long sessions: a short bedtime story every evening works better than reading a whole book once a week.
4
How can I turn bedtime reading into a cozy storytime routine?
Create a simple, predictable routine: pajamas, brushing teeth, bedtime story, sleep. This kind of pattern gives kids structure and calm.
Make it extra cozy with a blanket, soft lighting, and a small stack of favorite picture books nearby. At night, choose gentle, calming stories rather than super high-energy adventures.
End with a short question like: “What was your favorite part?” That way bedtime reading becomes a moment of real connection instead of just “one more task.”
5
What is interactive read-aloud, and why is it so helpful for kids?
With interactive read-aloud, you actively involve your child in the story. You ask questions, let them guess what might happen next, and invite them to point things out in the pictures or make sounds.
This makes storytime not only more fun, but also more educational: children practice language, imagination, and emotional skills. Reading aloud becomes less of a monologue and more of a joyful, story-shaped conversation between you and your child.
Discover More Blogs & Books from Gomlin and Gizmo ✨
Enjoyed this topic? Be sure to explore our other blogs and books! They’re full of cheerful dog characters, inspiration, and creativity for kids.