Sunshine and Spoons: How to Inspire Your Kids to Love Reading

How to Inspire Your Kids to Love Reading with Reading Parties!

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I have an addiction, and I'm not planning to quit it.

However, having kids has cut down on the amount of time I have for my addiction. Chances are, you have the same problem.

I am unashamedly addicted to reading. I'd love to read all day if I could.

But...I have four kids and an insanely busy schedule so unless you count reading notes sent home from school and recipes off the back of a pasta box, reading is not something I get to do much anymore.

Even though I don't have much time for reading myself right now, I still want to instill a love of reading in my kids.

My mom taught my siblings and me to love reading and one of the ways she did that was with family reading parties.

You read that right. Reading parties.

I Like to Party and by party, I mean read Mug

We'd each grab a cozy blanket, find a spot in the living room, and curl up with a book. Of course, there were snacks (which is a big motivator in getting kids to go along with your crazy plans, haha).

Allow me to pause for a moment to point out that, unlike me, my mom is a genius.

Katie has always struggled with reading, and Nano, being a typical 6 year old boy, prefers to play with his tractors than sit still and read a book.

So, a few months ago, I decided that it was time to introduce them to the magical world of reading parties.

They were a hit right from the start.

Get your READ printable here!

As a bonus, I get to sit down and read too. #momwin

Even the two little ones get in on the action either by showing up to the party with their own stack of books or sitting by one of their older siblings and listening to them read out loud.

Want to host your own reading party and get your kids excited about reading?

How to Inspire Your Kids to Love Reading

Our latest reading party

Here's how to do it:

Before your first party, you'll probably need to build up some hype. Talk it up for a few days beforehand to create some excitement. Plan a snack and pick out a spot in your house where you can all spread out with your books.

When it's time for the party to start, have each of the kids bring their favorite blanket to lay on the floor for their reading spot. Bonus: this keeps them from playing the "she's in my space!" "he's touching me!" game.

During the party, dole out the snacks slowly so they don't finish them up and decide they're done reading right away.

Tips for making your party extra special:

1. Hand out special bookmarks or I Love to Read bracelets to the kids.

I Love to Read Books Coloring Bookmarks Printable

2. Get each of the kids a special reading reward pillow to use for your reading parties.

3. Create a fun spot to read in with a teepee.

4. Instead of blankets, use these cute pillow beds with super soft covers.

Pillow bed for kids with super soft minky cover

5. Give each of the kids a fake pair of glasses to "read" with for the party.

6. Headlamps...kids love them and it makes it easier to find a small cozy place to read, like in a tent. I love the pop-up tents that are available for kids because they're easy to put up and take down and don't take much room to store.