Fun and Effective Ways to Improve Reading Skills at Home

Reading is one of the most important skills your child will ever learn — but it doesn’t have to feel like hard work! By weaving reading into daily life in fun, creative ways, you can help build your child’s confidence, fluency, and love for books.

Above all, the most important and effective way to positively impact your child’s reading ability is for adults to read to them regularly. Hearing fluent reading models vocabulary, expression, and rhythm — and it also shows children that reading is enjoyable and valuable.

Here are some practical and engaging activities, divided into two sections to suit both KS1 (ages 5–7) and KS2 (ages 7–11) readers.

For KS1 Readers (Ages 5–7)

At this stage, children are learning to decode, recognise common words, and build confidence in sounding out. Activities should be playful and simple.

Play Sound and Word Games

  • Treasure hunts for sounds: Choose a sound (like "sh" or "ch") and go around the house finding objects that start with that sound.

  • Rhyme games: Say a word and take turns coming up with rhyming words — silly ones are encouraged!

  • Sight word bingo: Use common high-frequency words to help your child recognise them quickly.

Make Reading Part of the Daily Routine

  • Create a cosy reading corner with cushions and their favourite books.

  • Read aloud together and encourage your child to join in with repeated phrases or simple words.

  • Use picture books to talk about what they see and predict what might happen next.

Celebrate New Words

  • Keep a simple "word collector" chart on the fridge.

  • Draw pictures of new words they learn each week.

  • Praise every new word learned to boost their confidence.

For KS2 Readers (Ages 7–11)

Older primary children are building fluency, reading longer texts, and developing comprehension skills. Activities can be more challenging and creative.

Create a Vocabulary Log

  • Encourage your child to write down interesting or tricky words in a special notebook.

  • Ask them to write sentences with these words or draw a picture to show their meaning.

  • Quiz them at the end of the week to make it fun and reinforce memory.

Bring Stories to Life

  • Act out scenes from a favourite book or create a puppet show.

  • Record a “radio show” version of a story — this helps them practise expression and pace.

  • Encourage them to create alternate endings or new adventures for characters.

Independent and Shared Reading

  • Let them choose books that interest them — from graphic novels to factual books about animals or space.

  • Take turns reading pages aloud to model fluency and expression.

  • Discuss what they think about the characters and events to develop deeper comprehension.

Celebrate Milestones

  • Create a reading reward chart for finished books or chapters.

  • Share book reviews with family or friends.

  • Let them choose a special bookshop visit or reading-related treat to celebrate.

Final Thoughts

Improving reading skills at home doesn’t need to mean extra worksheets or pressure. By making reading part of everyday life in an enjoyable way, you’ll help your child build confidence, fluency, and a love of stories.

Most importantly, make time to read to your child regularly. This simple habit has the biggest impact on their language development, comprehension, and lifelong love of reading.

If you'd like tailored ideas or guidance for your child's stage, feel free to get in touch — I'd love to help!

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