In many homes, reading is contained within a familiar routine. A book before bed, a quiet moment after homework, a set amount of time carved out each day. These moments matter, but when reading only exists inside a rule or a schedule, it can start to feel like something to complete rather than something to enjoy.
Children are more likely to love reading when it feels woven into daily life. When stories show up casually and often (without pressure or expectation), books become a source of comfort, curiosity and pleasure rather than another item on the to do list.
One of the simplest ways to encourage this is to let reading appear everywhere, not just in bedrooms or classrooms. A comic left on the kitchen table. A graphic novel beside the sofa. A magazine in the car. When books are visible and accessible, children are more inclined to dip in and out on their own terms. These small, informal encounters with text matter just as much as structured reading time.
Choice also plays a huge role. Children connect most strongly with reading when they feel ownership over what they consume. That might mean fantasy novels, joke books, football annuals, manga, comics or short non-fiction: it all counts!
When the focus shifts from what children should read to what they want to read, enthusiasm often follows naturally. Reading aloud can also be reimagined. It does not have to be reserved for younger children or limited to bedtime. Sharing a chapter over breakfast, listening to an audiobook while cooking dinner, or taking turns reading dialogue in a funny story can make books feel social and shared.
These moments create positive associations and show children that stories are something to enjoy together. Audio formats deserve a place too. Audiobooks and story podcasts can bring books into busy moments such as car journeys, tidying up or winding down in the evening.
For some children, listening opens the door to stories in a way that reading alone does not. It still builds language, imagination and a love of narrative, just through a different route.
Creating a reading friendly atmosphere matters more than perfect routines. A comfortable corner, good lighting and a sense that it is okay to stop and start all help remove pressure; so does seeing adults read for pleasure.
When children notice parents reading newspapers, novels or even recipes, it reinforces the idea that reading is part of normal life, not just something children are told to do. Above all, the aim is not to force a love of books but to make space for it to grow.
When reading feels relaxed, varied and connected to everyday moments, children are more likely to return to it willingly. Over time, those small moments add up, building a relationship with reading that lasts far beyond any set reading time.
