How to Make Storytime Fun: Creative Tips for Engaging Your Child

Reading with your little one is one of the most special ways to bond and build a lifelong love of books. But sometimes, keeping a young child engaged can be tricky! If your toddler or preschooler is more interested in flipping pages quickly or running around the room, don’t worry. With a little creativity, you can make storytime an exciting and interactive experience they’ll look forward to every day. Here are some top tips to bring stories to life and make reading truly magical!

1. Use Fun Voices and Sounds

Bring characters to life by using different voices! Give the big bear a deep, growly voice and make the little mouse sound squeaky. Adding animal noises, sound effects, and dramatic pauses can make the story feel more immersive.

2. Act It Out

Why just read about an adventure when you can be part of it? Encourage your child to stand up and act out scenes with you. If the story is about a jungle, pretend to swing like monkeys or stomp like elephants. Movement helps little ones engage, especially if they find sitting still a challenge!

3. Use Props and Puppets

Simple props can make storytime even more exciting. Grab a toy crown for a royal tale or a wooden spoon as a magic wand. Sock puppets are a fun way to bring characters to life, and your child will love helping them ‘talk.’

4. Ask Questions and Encourage Participation

Make reading a two-way experience by asking questions. “Encouraging children to predict what happens next or spot things in the pictures builds comprehension and makes them feel like part of the story,” says Reading Fairy founder Emily Guille Marrett.

5. Sing Along with Stories

Many books have rhyming patterns or songs built into them. Adding a simple tune or clapping along with the rhythm can make reading even more fun. Nursery rhymes and repetitive stories work well for this!

6. Create a Cozy Reading Nook

Make storytime a special ritual by setting up a cozy space with pillows, blankets, and soft lighting. A dedicated reading spot helps signal that it’s time for books, making it easier to settle down and enjoy the story.

7. Let Your Child Take the Lead

Give your child choices—let them pick the book, turn the pages, or even ‘read’ to you by describing the pictures.

8. Read the Same Book Again (and Again!)

Young children love repetition! Even if you feel like you’ve read The Very Hungry Caterpillar a hundred times, your child is absorbing new things with each reading. Repetition helps build language skills and confidence.

9. Bring Books to Life Outside Storytime

Extend the story beyond the book by engaging in related activities. If you read a book about baking, try making cupcakes together. If it’s a nature story, take a walk and look for the animals mentioned in the book.

10. Most Importantly—Have Fun!

Reading should never feel like a chore. If your child isn’t in the mood, it’s okay to stop and try again later. The goal is to create positive, joyful experiences with books that will foster a lifelong love of reading. “When children feel in charge of storytime, they engage more and develop a stronger love for books,” says Emily Guille Marrett.

By making storytime interactive, playful, and engaging, you’ll create wonderful memories with your child and help them develop a love of books that will last a lifetime. So grab a book, get silly, and enjoy the magic of reading together!