How to Create a Reading-Friendly Home for Children: 5 Simple Steps

In order to build a healthy relationship between your child and their books, you need to know how to create a reading-friendly home for children.

If you’re like most parents, you’ve probably faced the frustration of seeing your child ignore their bookshelf, even though many great books are stacked there to motivate them.

But what if the problem isn’t their motivation or choice of books? What if it’s their environment?

That’s why knowing how to create a reading-friendly home for children is one of the most important (and overlooked) steps in building strong reading habits. 

Take a look around your house:

• Are your child’s books visible and easy to reach?
• Do the books look tidy, organised, and inviting?
• Can you spot a favourite story from where you’re sitting right now?

If you answered ‘No’ to either question, don’t worry. A few simple changes can make a big difference. 

As a parent and teacher, I’ve tried dozens of strategies to boost reading time at home. These five steps are the ones that consistently work. 

If you’re wondering how early reading habits can shape your child’s future, these benefits of childhood reading might surprise you.

Now let’s dive into 5 quick, practical fixes you can start today to make your child’s books more inviting, and start working towards building a daily reading habit for your family. 

1. Make Books Visible: The First Step in Creating a Reading-Friendly Home for Children

Children won’t use what they can’t see. Whether it’s toys, snacks, or books, visibility matters. Therefore, making books visible and easy to grab is the first step in building a reading-friendly environment for your child. 

Here’s how to do it: 

• Place books below your child’s eye level. Low tables, baskets, or small shelves are perfect. 
• Spines out. Or better yet, covers forward. Kids are more likely to choose a book when they can see the cover. Even just propping one against the others makes them stand out on the shelf. 
• Use front-facing displays. A spice rack, magazine holder, or photo shelf can turn books into visual invitations. 
• Highlight a new book. If your child is stuck in a reading rut, take a book from the shelf and place it cover forward. See how quickly the gravitate to this new feature. 

By making your child’s books easy to reach you’re actively encouraging them to engage with their books.

As a result, kids who see their favourite stories or new titles calling out to them are more likely build a reading habit.

Next step! Making your books look inviting.

2. Declutter Your Child’s Bookshelf

Now that your books are easy to grab, it’s time to make sure they feel inviting, not overwhelming. 

In fact, a cluttered and chaotic bookshelf can make reading feel like a chore. When books are stacked haphazardly or crammed together, kids often ignore them. 

By organising your books you can show your child what is available, and make the selection easier. 

Try these simple bookshelf fixes: 

• Tidy up the shelf once a day. It doesn’t require a deep clean, just straighten a few books so it looks neat and browsable. 
• Involve your child. Let them return their books after reading. Even young children can take pride in keeping their shelf “library neat”. 
• Rotate the selection. Too many books at once can overwhelm a young reader. Try removing a handful and storing them away for a few weeks. When you bring them back they’ll feel new again. 
• Highlight a few favourites. Instead of having every book on show, choose 5-10 that reflect your child’s interests this week. Less choice often leads to more action. 

Personal Note: My youngest (4) tries his best to return the books neatly, but often needs a little supervision. 

Decluttering isn’t about perfection, it’s about presentation. A simple, tidy shelf indicates to your child that these books are ready to be read.

Next step! Give them a space where reading naturally happens.

3. Create a Cozy Reading Corner in Your Home

Once the books are visible and inviting, the next step is to give your child a comfortable, dedicated space to read. 

For adults and children alike, having a cosy place to unwind with a book is a great way to spend some time. 

A reading corner creates a sense of comfort, ownership, and focus. And it doesn’t need to be fancy!

Here’s how to create one: 

• Pick a quiet, low traffic spot in your home. It can be a corner of their bedroom, a ‘fort’ in the living room, or even under a table. 
• Keep it comfy. Use pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals to make the space feel special and inviting. 
• Add good lighting. Natural light is ideal, but a warm lamp also does the job. Dim lighting may feel cosy, but it can lead to eye strain and reading fatigue. 
• Let your child design it themselves. Encourage them to pick the pillows, hang up a drawing, or name the space. “The Book Nook” or “Quiet Corner” are a couple that come to mind. 
• Make it flexible. The space doesn’t have to be permanent. In my house, it moves around and changes names weekly, that’s part of the fun. 

One of the most memorable reading spaces in my home was when my children closed off the lower bunk of their bed with a blanket and named it the “No Daddy Allowed Reading Hole”. I didn’t complain, my children were reading!

When kids take ownership of their reading space, they’re more likely to use it. It becomes theirs, and not just another grown-up’s part of the house.

A cosy reading zone signals to your child that reading matters. And now they have a reading-friendly space where they can go and relax. 

Take a look at these excellent ideas for children’s Reading Nooks!

Next step! Give your child a time to focus.

4. Minimise Distractions That Are Not Reading-Friendly for Children

Even the cosiest reading corner won’t work if your home is filled with noise, screens, or constant interruptions. 

Today’s children are already surrounded by distractions, which is one of the biggest barriers to deep, focused reading. 

Here’s how to create a distraction-free reading environment: 

• Turn off background noise. TVs, music, and even casual conversations can break your child’s concentration before they’ve turned the first page. 
• Set a quiet reading time for the whole house. It doesn’t need to be long, just 15-20 minutes where everyone agrees to keep quiet and screen-free.
• Model the behaviour yourself. Pick up your own book and read beside your child. Kids imitate what they see, and seeing you read sends a powerful message about the importance of reading.
• Make it feel special. Create a little ritual around reading time. Turn off all the other lights or ask your child to announce the reading time. Predictability and routine will help build reading habits.

Turning all distractions off for just a short period of the day sends the message to your child that reading time is important. 

The key to getting this right is by making sure everyone is on the same page. One beep from somebody’s phone is enough to interrupt that day’s reading session.

Next Step! Sprinkle a few books around the house and watch the magic happen.

5. Use the ‘Book Drop’ Technique to Sneak Books into Your Child’s Routine and Really Boost Reading Time!

Sometimes, the best way to get kids reading is to make books feel like a pleasant surprise, not like a chore or homework. That is where the Book Drop technique comes in. 

Instead of pushing your child to read, place books strategically around the house where your child least expects them. Allow them to explore and discover the stories in a way that makes them feel in control. 

Here’s how it works: 

• Place books in high-traffic spots. Leave books in places your child naturally gravitates to: the kitchen table, by the sofa, or even in the car. The more they see the books the more likely they are to pick them up. 
• Add variety. Use the book rotation from earlier to keep the reading fresh. Storybooks don’t always need to be used, sometimes picture books or magazines can work well to engage your child. 
• Tie it to a routine. Pair book drops with daily activities. For example, a book on the breakfast table might encourage a quick burst of reading. 

In my home I keep a few books by the front door. This is perfect for mornings when my children are waiting around for me to get ready. A few extra minutes reading each day accumulates over time.

The Book Drop technique works because it removes pressure and makes reading feel like an unexpected treat. By introducing books into your child’s world without the demand to read, you foster a love of reading that grows organically. 

Try it now! Take 3-5 books from your child’s room right now and move them to high-traffic spots in your home. See what a difference it makes.

How A Reading-Friendly Home for Children Delivers Big Results 

These 5 simple changes take just minutes to implement, but they can completely transform your child’s relationship with books.

Remember: if your child has been ignoring their bookshelf or drifting towards screens instead of stories, don’t give up just yet.

Start with one of these easy steps. Move a few books around, clear a space, and switch off distractions. Then watch what happens.

Make small changes today, and before you know it you might just find your child curled up with a story by the end of the night. 

Now that you know how to create a reading-friendly home for children, you can start to include a variety of reading activities that will make reading time more enjoyable and more memorable:

Try these activities with your child to boost engagement and understanding throughout your entire reading session!

• Pre-Reading activities
• While Reading activities
• Post-Reading activities