Reading is like a superpower that opens up entire worlds, but getting kids excited about it isn't always easy. The good news? You don't need fancy programs or expensive materials. Here are five simple ways to help your children discover the joy of reading.

1. Make Reading Time Cosy and Special

Turn reading into something kids actually look forward to by creating a comfy reading nook. It doesn't have to be elaborate: just a corner with pillows, a soft blanket, and good lighting. Maybe add some stuffed animals or a small bookshelf within reach. The key is making reading feel like a treat, not a chore. Let your child bring their favourite snack, or read together with hot chocolate on rainy days. When reading becomes associated with warmth and comfort, kids naturally want more of it.

2. Let Them Choose (Yes, Even the "Silly" Books)

This one's huge: let your kids pick their own books, even if they're not what you'd choose. Comic books, graphic novels, joke books, books about farts, if it gets them reading, it counts! When children have control over what they read, they're much more likely to actually finish it. You can gently suggest books you think they'd enjoy, but ultimately, letting them explore their own interests builds a genuine love for reading rather than resentment.

3. Be a Reading Role Model

Kids copy what they see. If they watch you scrolling on your phone all evening, that's what seems normal and appealing. But if they see you curled up with a book, magazine, or even an e-reader, they'll want to do the same. Try having family reading time where everyone reads their own book for 20-30 minutes. No phones, no TV, just everyone enjoying their own stories. Talk about what you're reading at dinner. Show them that reading is something adults do for fun, not just something kids have to do for school.

4. Bring Books to Life

Don't let reading stop when you close the book. Help your child connect stories to the real world around them. If you're reading about dinosaurs, visit a natural history museum. Reading about baking? Make cookies together. Read a book set in another country? Find it on a map or try cooking food from that place. You can also act out favourite scenes, create art based on the characters, or even write your own sequel to a story. When books feel like springboards for adventure and creativity, they become so much more exciting.

5. Make Reading Interactive and Social

Reading doesn't have to be a silent, solitary activity. For younger kids, use funny voices for different characters, pause to ask what they think will happen next, or let them turn the pages. For older kids, start a mini family book club where you all read the same book and talk about it. Libraries often have free reading programs, story times, and summer reading challenges with prizes. Bookstores sometimes host author events. These experiences help kids see that reading is something people share and celebrate together, not just homework.

Here are 5 recommendations:

My First Reader Set - Level 1 is a solid starting point if you want something structured but not overwhelming. It's an 18-book boxed set that eases kids into actual reading without making it feel like homework.

The A to Z of Alliterations makes phonics fun without being preachy about it. Kids pick up on sound patterns naturally when they're enjoying the rhythm of the words.

My A to Z Alphabet Stories explores creative stories and highlights words that build vocabulary, reading, and comprehension skills, making alphabet learning simple, engaging, and imaginative.

My Carry-Along Books are perfect for keeping in the car, diaper bag, or wherever. The convenience factor alone makes them worth it; you want books everywhere, not just on the shelf at home.

Mimi & Max First Experience tackles real-life situations (doctor visits, starting school, etc.) in a way that feels relatable rather than lesson-y. Kids actually want to read about things they're experiencing themselves.

The Bottom Line

The goal isn't to create a perfect little reader who devours classics by age seven. It's to help your child see reading as enjoyable, not obligatory. Some kids will become bookworms overnight, while others will take years to warm up to reading, and that's okay. Be patient, keep books accessible and judgment-free, and celebrate small victories. The kid who reads three pages today might be the teenager who can't put down a 500-page novel tomorrow. You're planting seeds, and that's what matters most.