Early childhood literacy has been linked to countless benefits, everything from academic success and social-emotional skills to physical and mental health, and longer life expectancy.

While families want to instill a love of reading in their children, it’s not always easy to compete with digital entertainment, find time to read aloud to them or ignite genuine excitement for storytime.

But here’s the good news: there are plenty of ways parents and caregivers can shift that mindset. Here are some ways families can make storytime fun and spark a child’s lifelong love of reading:  

Know your child’s needs and interests.

It all starts with finding age-appropriate books that spark a child’s curiosity and imagination. When kids love what they’re reading, it feels more like playtime instead of work, and they’ll want to find more great stories. In addition to the trusted classics, find books with their favorite characters or ones that pique their interests – or better yet, let them choose what they want to read!

Create a dedicated reading space.

Whether it’s a cozy nook, a pile of pillows or even a blanket fort, setting up a comfy, screen-free space for reading helps kids focus, tune out distractions and get lost in all the great stories. When storytime happens in the same spot where children typically do their homework, kids may consider reading more like a chore when it should be a joyful experience.

Read together and model good reading behavior.

When families read together regularly, kids realize that storytime is also quality time and creates special bonding moments they can look forward to. Beyond shared moments, when kids observe their parents choosing to read for pleasure in their free time, they’ll be eager to do the same thing to experience the same joy and satisfaction.

Bring stories to life.

Storytime becomes more fun, engaging and memorable when it’s a multi-sensory experience, whether you narrate with expressive voices, add fun sound effects, or let kids act out the pages. This way, kids connect with stories on a deeper level, and reading feels more like an immersive adventure instead of a passive, quiet activity.

Travel with reading material.

Taking stories on the go helps children see storytime as a personal source of comfort and entertainment when they have downtime or are getting used to new surroundings. When a child has their favorite books in hand, a stressful airport delay turns into quiet bonding time; a long car ride transforms into an adventure; and unfamiliar places start to feel like home.

Explore other forms of storytelling.

Reading doesn’t always mean picking up a physical book. Listening to audio books, singing songs that tell a story, and using innovative devices like the Luna StoryTime Projector are great ways to make reading fun, engage kids’ senses and create a literacy-rich environment.

Melissa Tigges is a mom and VP of Strategic Initiatives at Cottage Door Press, an award-winning children’s publisher focused on bringing joy, connection, and imagination to readers of all ages. Over the last decade, the company has grown from a small collection of titles to an expansive catalog that includes beloved children’s books, innovative storytelling products like its new Luna StoryTime Projector, and a range of adult lifestyle and activity titles. Cottage Door Press is committed to enriching lives, one story—or activity—at a time. For more information, visit CottageDoorPress.com.