Reading Aloud to Children Is at an All-Time Low—Let’s Make It Fun Again this Summer!
In today’s fast-paced world, something simple yet powerful is quietly fading: reading aloud to children. Studies show that fewer parents are regularly reading to their kids than in previous generations. With busy schedules, digital distractions, and the rise of on-demand entertainment, this cherished tradition is losing ground. But the benefits of reading aloud—for language and literacy development, imagination, and emotional bonding—are too valuable to ignore.
The good news? Reading aloud doesn’t have to feel like another chore on the to-do list. In fact, with a few creative twists, it can become a joyful, shared ritual that both children and parents will look forward to.
The Decline of Reading Aloud: What’s Happening?
Reading aloud has been steadily declining for the past few years. A report from Scholastic found that while over 80% of parents of children ages 0–5 read aloud at least once a week, that number drops significantly as children get older. By age 9, fewer than one in three kids are read to regularly. Many parents believe that once a child can read on their own, read-aloud time is no longer necessary.
But experts say the opposite is true. Even older children benefit from being read to—it boosts vocabulary, fosters empathy, and nurtures a lifelong love of books. So how can we bring this tradition back and make it engaging for today’s families?
7 Ways to Make Reading Aloud Fun for Everyone
1. Make It a Performance
Bring stories to life with silly voices, dramatic pauses, and sound effects. Channel your inner actor! Kids love when you get animated—even if it’s just for a goofy side character.
Choose Reader Theatre Scripts (check out some of our most popular Reader Theatre Scripts here) or popular plays to put on a performance and get everyone involved!
2. Create a Cozy Reading Ritual
Turn reading time into something special—blankets, dim lights, hot cocoa, and a favorite stuffed animal can transform a few pages into a magical escape. Rituals help kids associate books with warmth and comfort. Reading before bed can become a nightly ritual that children look forward to while helping them to fall asleep more easily.
3. Let Kids Pick the Book
Giving children the power to choose makes them more invested. Even if it’s the 10th time reading the same dinosaur book, their excitement makes it worth it.
4. Read Aloud in Unexpected Places
Who says reading only happens at bedtime? Try reading in a fort, under the kitchen table, at the park, in the backyard or during a car ride. Mixing it up keeps things fresh and playful.
5. Turn Books Into Adventures
After reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar, try tasting a few of the foods the caterpillar munches through. Read We're Going on a Bear Hunt? Then go on a mini backyard expedition. Read a book like Harry Potter and then watch the movie to compare how they are similar or different. Extend stories beyond the page into real-life fun.
6. Share the Mic
Let your child take over parts of the story. They can fill in rhyming words, repeat catchphrases, or even “read” by looking at the pictures. For older children, take turns reading each page or chapter.It builds fluency, confidence and keeps them engaged.
7. Reading is a Shared Experience
Involve siblings or grandparents. Go to the library for story time or start a reading club. The more the merrier—it shows your child that reading is a shared, meaningful experience.
It’s Not About Doing It “Right”—Just Doing It Together
Reading aloud doesn’t require perfect pronunciation or elaborate performances. What matters most is consistency, connection, and fun. Even just ten minutes a day can make a lasting difference.
So dust off your favorite picture book or head to the library and pick up a new one and bring reading aloud back into your family’s life. The stories we share today become the memories our children carry with them forever (and share with their own families!).
📚 Quick Picks for Fun Read-Alouds:
- Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
- The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak
- Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Or Piggie and Elephant by Mo Willems
- Goodnight, Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
- Dr. Seuss Collection of Books
- The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
- Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
- The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
- Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling