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Want to make reading more fun for your little one? Learn 5 ways to create engaging reading games, from word hunts to story dice and more

Having fun while reading is so important to help develop a love for books in young children. 

One of the easiest ways to do this is to turn reading into a game with your little ones. Here are 5 fun (and most importantly - educational) reading games to engage young readers.

1. Word Hunt

Pick a book and ask your child to find specific words on each page. For example: "Can you find the word 'cat' on this page?" This game keeps little readers actively engaged in the story and improves word recognition.

2. Story Dice

Make story dice by drawing or pasting pictures of different characters, settings, and objects on the sides of a few large dice. When your little one rolls the dice you can create a story based on the images, encouraging creativity and helping children understand story structure.

3. Rhyme Time

Choose a word from the story you're reading and challenge your little one to come up with rhyming words. For example, if the word is "bat," your child might say "cat" or "hat." This game helps build phonemic awareness in your child, unlocking an essential early reading skill.

Learn more about the benefits of early reading on a child’s development.

4. Character Voices

Let your child choose (or invent) a voice for each character, and take turns reading their lines in that voice. This makes the story rich, more fun and enhances comprehension.

5. Reading Relay

Set up a reading relay by dividing the book into sections. Take turns reading a page or a paragraph, passing a small object like a toy or a baton as a relay "stick." This game adds fun competition and keeps your child engaged.

By having these fun little reading games as part of your reading routine, you help make reading an engaging, interactive and joyful experience for your little reader which (hopefully) goes a long way in fostering a lifelong love for books.

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