Do Video Games Curb Kids’ Motivation to Read?

When enthusiasm for reading flickers

As a parent, you've probably seen it in your own home: the moment your child races to finish a task—homework, dinner, chores—not to pick up a book, but to pick up the game controller. It can be disheartening, especially if reading once sparked joy in them. Somewhere between Minecraft quests and Fortnite battles, their motivation to read seems to have dimmed. And you’re left wondering: are video games to blame?

It’s not the enemy, but the balance

First, let’s take a breath. The relationship between video games and reading isn't a straightforward villain-versus-hero story. In fact, many studies show that video games can foster skills like problem-solving, creativity, and even language development. Yet, it’s also true that excessive screen time, especially when unmanaged, can edge out quieter, slower-paced activities like reading.

For the 6 to 12 age group, where imagination is ripe and the appetite for stories should be blooming, video game consumption can sometimes dominate mental and emotional bandwidth. Unlike a book’s gradual unfolding, games deliver instant rewards, fast-paced visuals, and easy gratification—elements that can make traditional reading feel, well, boring in comparison.

Understanding what your child gets from gaming

If your child has drifted away from books, try looking at what needs their screen time may be fulfilling. Are they seeking adventure, social connection, control, or simply down-time? Many games tell extensive stories with deep emotional arcs—so it might not be the idea of storytelling they’re avoiding, but the medium through which it’s delivered.

Also consider this: some children struggle to read not because they dislike stories, but because reading feels like a chore. This can be especially true for kids with reading difficulties or attention issues. In the world of gaming, they don’t have to decode complex sentences or be graded on comprehension. The experience is interactive, accessible, and forgiving.

Bridging the gap without turning it into a battle

It can be tempting to impose strict reading times or limit gaming to a minimum, but forcing the issue often leads to more resistance and stress. Instead, look for ways to blend your child’s love of stories and visuals with reading’s benefits. For example:

• Graphic novels can be a powerful gateway for kids who feel daunted by dense text.
• Mixing formats—such as following along in a book while listening to the audio version—can deepen understanding and enjoyment.
• Story-driven video games can actually inspire kids to read up on lore, backstories, or explore similar genres in books.

This is where adding audio storytelling into the mix can be particularly effective. A resource like the iOS or Android version of the LISN Kids App can offer original audiobooks and episodic audio series that engage kids the same way games do—through immersive storytelling.

The experience of absorbing a story through sound and imagination, often while doing a puzzle or relaxing, can become a gentle step toward independent reading.

Rethinking motivation—not just medium

If your child isn’t picking up books, try reframing the question: instead of “Why aren’t they reading?”, ask “What stories might make them feel something—curiosity, laughter, suspense?” The key isn’t always pushing toward the printed page but nurturing the desire to explore ideas and emotions beyond their own world.

Remember, motivation is deeply personal. Your child may not race to the bookshelf today, but fostering a home culture where stories, questions, and wonder matter can plant seeds for a lifelong love of reading—on their terms and timeline.

Setting intentional screen boundaries

If screen time has taken over, gently reshaping those limits without turning games into forbidden fruit is important. Instead of policing time strictly, consider co-creating a daily routine where gaming, reading, and offline time all have a place. Balancing screen and learning time is a process that evolves with your child’s needs and interests.

And if you’re unsure whether games are affecting more than reading, screen habits and attention is another area worth exploring—as these two aspects are often connected, especially during homework time.

The bigger picture

Not all gamers are reluctant readers, and not all reluctant readers are obsessed with gaming. One doesn’t necessarily cancel out the other. In fact, video games and language development can co-exist in beneficial ways, as explored in this article. Some kids even find new vocabulary or narrative ideas from the games they love, sparking curiosity about related books.

It’s about guiding your child gently back to the joy of stories in all their forms—paper, screen, or audio. Books offer depth and reflection, games deliver interaction and pace, and tools like audiobooks bridge accessibility and enjoyment.

In the end, your child’s journey with reading is uniquely theirs. You’re there to support, nudge, and remind them that stories—whether in pixels, pages, or sound—have the power to make them laugh, think, and dream.