How to Encourage Audiobook Listening in Kids Who Love Video Games

Why audiobooks can resonate with young gamers

If your child is deeply into video games, you’re not alone—and you’re certainly not failing as a parent. Games are immersive, colorful, and action-packed. It’s no surprise they capture kids’ full attention, sometimes at the cost of other enriching experiences like reading, creative play, or simply winding down peacefully.

But here’s something comforting: the qualities that make video games engaging can also draw children into a different storytelling format—one that supports imagination, language development, and even focus. Enter audiobooks.

Unlike traditional reading, listening to a story doesn’t require sustained visual attention, so it can be less daunting for children who struggle with literacy, attention span, or reading fatigue. For many video game enthusiasts, audiobooks feel like a familiar adventure format—narratives, characters, and evolving missions—all brought to life through sound.

Bridging the screen gap with sound

Let’s be real: asking your child to choose a book over a game often ends in disappointment—for you and for them. So, what if instead of forcing them to switch off completely, you offered an alternative that still feels dynamic and cool?

Audio storytelling can become a transitional activity—especially helpful before or after screen time. For instance, after a gaming session, you might invite your child to rest their eyes and dive into an audiobook episode while building Legos or drawing. Or maybe right before bedtime, when the house is dim and quiet, you can play an audio series that taps into their favorite themes: fantasy quests, mysteries, or even science adventures.

The key is to frame it not as a substitute for fun, but as another story-driven experience they can feel excited about.

Choosing content that grabs their attention

Parents often ask: “But will they like it?” The answer depends on what you choose. If the audiobook feels like school, they might tune out fast. It helps to match the content to their interests—just like you would when choosing a game, movie, or toy.

Look for options that mirror what your child already enjoys. For example, if your child loves fantasy battles, choose stories with mythical creatures and heroic journeys. If they’re more into mysteries or science fiction, find audiobooks with intriguing twists and futuristic settings.

Apps like iOS and Android versions of LISN Kids offer a wide library of original, high-quality audio series for kids aged 3 to 12—many designed to align with children's evolving interests and developmental stages.

Whether your child prefers a short bedtime episode or a multi-part saga they can return to after school, the platform makes it simple to browse and find the right fit.

Creating rituals around listening

Introducing audiobooks at random times might not gain much traction. But turning them into part of a daily or weekly rhythm can make all the difference. Children often respond well to routine, especially when it signals calm and connection.

Here are a few ways to create gentle rituals around audio listening:

• Bedtime unwind: Replace the last 15 minutes of screen time with a cozy listening story—perhaps under a weighted blanket or with soft lighting nearby.
• Afternoon chill-down: After coming home from school and finishing homework, offer a "choice time" where your child can choose a story to listen to while doing simple crafts or playing quietly.
• Weekend breakfast: Let stories play in the background while they slowly wake up and eat pancakes on a Saturday morning.

You may be surprised at how eagerly they start looking forward to those pockets of calm.

When gaming habits crowd out other interests

If your child incessantly talks about gaming, feels moody when they can’t play, or struggles to engage in any other activity, you might be dealing with more than just an enthusiasm. This article about recognizing gaming-related mood swings can help you spot early signs of digital dependency.

That doesn’t mean banning games altogether. It simply means helping your child diversify the ways they find stimulation and joy. Listening to stories can be one of those quiet but powerful tools for emotional regulation, especially during calming bedtime routines.

Letting go of the resistance—yours and theirs

It’s easy to feel discouraged when your child rejects reading or seems disengaged from non-screen activities. But resistance isn't rejection—it’s often just unfamiliarity. Some children are wired for sound, not sight. Others may feel frustrated by visual reading due to learning differences. In these cases, audiobooks can be a gateway to story enjoyment without the pressure.

Likewise, letting go of our own expectations—like that stories must come from books with pages—can be liberating. What matters is not the format, but the experience: that your child is engaging with language, deepening their imagination, processing emotions, and expanding their mental worlds.

If you're looking for other ways to nurture curiosity outside of screens, consider browsing this guide on sparking curiosity or tips for handling peer-related comparison.

Final thoughts

You don’t have to replace video games altogether to give your child access to other enriching experiences. Start small. Introduce audiobooks not as a compromise, but as another exciting world to explore. With time, they may become just as curious about the fate of an audiobook hero as they are about their next Minecraft build. And that, truly, is a small win worth celebrating.