For us, school has been going on for almost a month now so I can’t really say, school is starting. For us, it is more like homework is starting. Which means the kids need to read daily.

I don’t know about your kids, but they dislike homework (who doesn’t) but they have a hatred towards their daily reading and it feels like we are in the Royal Rumble trying to get them to settle in and read (and it’s only 15 minutes!)

We have 10 ideas to get your kids reading!

1. 
   Make a game out of it.
   
   Our school district shared the idea of “frequent-reader miles”. A trip around the world is 25,000 miles and 1 book equals 2,500 miles. The goal is to be the first one to travel around the worlds. In addition to reading, they can practice their math adding up their miles too! You will probably  have to set some ground rules as to how long or what kind of book equals 1 book. A reader suggested that allowing them to read books on foreign places/travel would be an excellent addition to this!
2. 
   Read as a family.
   
   Have everyone unplug and sit down to read. Everyone can read their own book and set a timer for 15-30 minutes where everyone has to read.
3. 
   Have them read you a bedtime story.
   
4. 
   Be sure they are reading something that interests them.
   
   If they check out books at the school library, they will grab something that interests them. If you go to the public library or are buying them books, be sure it’s a topic they will enjoy reading. Even as an adult, I hate reading something that doesn’t interest me. It’s not any different for our kids.
5. 
   Read together.
   
   Instead of them reading the entire 15 minute, why not sit down and read for 30 minutes and take turns reading the book together.
6. 
   Read more than just books.
   
   Have them read from a magazine. Or a comic. Or maybe if you go out, have them read the menu to you. Get creative with it.
7. 
   Make a reward chart/system for reading.
   
   If they read a certain amount of minute each week, they get something or get to do something on a certain day.
   made a really great reward system printable for her kids this summer.
   recommended putting a marble in a jar for every 15 minutes read. When the jar is half full, they get a new book or other prize. When it’s full, they get another new book or prize as incentive to keep them reading.
8. 
   Let them read in bed.
   
   I know I was raised to never sleep or do work in bed at time before going to sleep. As an adult, I have actually been told otherwise. (Especially since reading tends to make me tired and fall asleep faster.) K tends to go to bed at bedtime and then read a little before falling asleep. Reading is reading!
9. 
   Have them bring books on the go!
   
   Or keep books in the car. They can read when you are driving or while waiting for food at a restaurant. (It may even keep sibling quarrels to a minimum!)
10. 
    Bring the book to life.
    
    Do a short skit of part of the book. Make a craft that goes with the book or maybe even a recipe. Make it fun!

Now that we have them reading, I asked my older two to share with me some of their favorite books.

B, Age 7, Grade 2


{links are affiliate links}

K, Age 9, Grade 4


{these are all series and have more than one book}

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid
• Bad Kitty
• Junie B. Jones
• The Rainbow Fairies
• Goosebumps

Book Recommendations by Readers

• Splat the Cat –
• The Boxcar Series, The Warrior Cat Series, B is for Betsy Series –
• Roald Dahl Series –
• Magic Treehouse Series, Platypus Police Squad, Fudge, Double Fudge, Eight Cousins, Mother DAughter Book Club, Wonder –
• Little Golden Books – mywarroom.net
• The Castle in the Attic –
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, Harry Potter –

What are some of the favorites in your house? Be sure to add them so we can read them!