Fold paper into a booklet. Your child can draw pictures while you help write words, or you can both take turns creating the story. Keep it to read again and again.

Before shopping, let your child help write or draw items you need. At the store, have them help check things off the list.

Choose a story with animals, music, or movement. After reading, turn on music and dance like the characters in the story. Combining reading with movement builds comprehension and body awareness.

Challenge your child to find objects that start with different letters. Start small—“Find something that begins with B!” (ball, book, banana). This reinforces letter recognition and builds word connections.

Draw a face on your hand or slip on a sock puppet. Let your “puppet” ask questions about your child’s day and encourage them to answer.

Choose a game based on your child’s age. Play “I Spy” with colors, letters, or shapes, or a classic game of peek-a-boo for younger kids.

Look around your home or outdoors for shapes. “That clock is a circle!” or “The door is a rectangle.” Count how many of each shape you can find.

Find objects around the house (a blanket, sponge, toy, or leaf). Take turns describing how they feel: soft, bumpy, smooth, rough.

Sort laundry together by color. As you fold, ask your child to name the colors or find all the blue shirts or red socks.

Turn routines into fun moments. Sing a silly song about socks or make up a rhyme about shirts while you and your child get ready for the day.

Choose a book that inspired a favorite movie (like The Lorax or Frozen). Read the story and then compare it to the film together.

Take a walk and notice birds, trees, cars, and clouds. Ask your child questions like, “What colors do you see?” or “How many birds are on that wire?”

Say a word like “cat” and challenge your child to come up with words that rhyme (bat, hat, sat). Turn it into a silly song if you’d like!

Look out the window, at a family photo, or in a book. Take turns describing what you notice—colors, shapes, actions. Describing details builds observation skills and helps children expand their vocabulary.

Make up silly words for everyday items (like calling water “splish-splash”). Use your new words in a game or during snack time to make learning fun.

Invite siblings, grandparents, or cousins to join in a reading session. Each person can read a page or take turns acting out parts of the story.

Invite siblings, grandparents, or cousins to join in a reading session. Each person can read a page or take turns acting out parts of the story.

Make small word cards (chair, table, door) and tape them to items around your house. Walk around with your child and practice reading the labels.

Pick a simple recipe and read the steps aloud. Let your child measure, stir, or pour. Talk about the ingredients and read the labels together.

Point out signs, cereal boxes, or labels while running errands or at home. Encourage your child to recognize letters and sound out short words.

Point out signs, cereal boxes, or labels while running errands or at home. Encourage your child to recognize letters and sound out short words.

Listen for everyday sounds — birds chirping, cars honking, water running. Take turns copying the sounds and talking about where they come from.

Browse the shelves and let your child pick out a book of their own. Talk about book covers and what might happen inside. If possible, attend a storytime or author event.

Explore your local library, let your child choose a book, and find a cozy spot to read together. Take time to look at the library displays or ask the librarian for a recommendation.

Give your child a notebook and crayons. Younger kids can draw their day; older ones can write simple sentences. End by sharing what each of you created.

Pick a familiar story and assign roles. Use props like scarves or hats to bring it to life. Encourage your child to use their voice and movements to retell the story.

As you read, pause to ask, “What do you think will happen next?” or “Why do you think the character looks sad?” Encourage your child to think critically and share their ideas.

Start with a simple idea, like “Once upon a time there was a…” and let your child help fill in the details. Take turns adding sentences and see where your imaginations lead!

Pick a quiet spot in your home and add pillows, blankets, or even a box fort. Place a few favorite books within reach so your child can enjoy independent or shared reading time.

Choose a book your child enjoys and read with expression. Point to pictures as you read and pause to let your child comment or ask questions.