How to Help Kids Who Hate Reading Develop a Love for Books
When your child says: "I hate reading"
It's not easy to hear these words when you know that reading opens countless doors for your child — to knowledge, imagination, and confidence. Still, if your child between 6 and 12 consistently avoids reading, struggles with books, or outright says they "hate reading," you're far from alone. Many children experience a disconnect between reading and joy. As a parent, exhausted from homework battles and emotional meltdowns, you may be wondering what more you can try. Let's take a deep breath — and look again, not at how we can force a love for reading, but how we can plant the seed gently, over time.
What does it really mean when a child doesn't like reading?
It’s important to look beneath the surface. When a child resists reading, it’s not always about the reading itself. Sometimes it signals fatigue, low confidence, fear of failure, or simply an inability to find the right reading material that resonates. Imagine navigating a book when every word feels like a hurdle — this is the case for many children with dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning differences.
In fact, audiobooks can play a powerful supportive role for children with dyslexia, offering them equal access to stories without the mental exhaustion that can come with decoding text. But more on that in a moment.
Start with stories — not books
Children fall in love with stories long before they learn to read. Think about it: toddlers beg for the same book night after night, not because they’re reading the words, but because they need the story. For older kids who’ve developed a resistance to books, redirecting focus from “you should read more” to “let’s discover stories together” changes everything.
Try replacing the reading task with something playful. Tell your child a short story aloud from your imagination during dinner. Ask them to come up with what happens next. Laugh. Build connections through narrative — no books required. From there, you can slowly reintroduce reading as one of many ways to enjoy a good story.
Use what your child already loves
Does your child adore animals? Space? Roblox? Comic books? It might not look like "real reading" to adults — but it is. If your child gets excited reading a graphic novel, or watching video game walkthroughs with subtitles, or building instructions in Lego manuals — support that. The goal isn’t reading classics by candlelight. The goal is to light a spark of curiosity — and keep it alive.
Let them help choose what to read (or listen to). Go to the library or browse an audiobook platform together. Some children latch onto series with characters they feel loyal to. Others prefer nonfiction. Once they connect with one narrative, that sense of discovery can grow.
Listening can be the doorway
If your child resists reading itself, why not begin with listening? Audiobooks allow children to engage with rich language, complex plots, and vivid characters — without the stress of decoding every word. This builds vocabulary, improves comprehension, and yes, often opens the door to wanting to read. Even children who actively dislike sitting down with a book often warm up to stories through listening.
Consider incorporating audio stories into your daily routines — during car rides, snack time, or while winding down before bed. Research shows that audio stories can help with bedtime routines, especially for overstimulated or anxious children, and even promote mental relaxation.
One beautiful, screen-free option is the LISN Kids App — a curated library of original audiobooks and audio series for children aged 3 to 12. With diverse characters and rich storytelling, it's a way to deepen your child’s love of stories without the battle. iOS | Android.
Make reading feel safe, not stressful
Do you remember being pressured to read aloud in class, fearing mistakes? That kind of experience can create a deep aversion. Make sure your home is a soft landing place compared to school. No time pressure. No correction unless your child asks for help. Praise their effort, not performance. Let them read with a flashlight under a blanket if it makes them excited — it all counts.
And remember, even if your child is not reading much on their own yet, if they are actively listening to stories, asking questions, imagining scenes — their reading journey has already begun. They are engaging with language meaningfully. The mechanics of reading will catch up.
When frustration builds — pause the pressure
If daily homework battles are leading to slammed doors and tears, it may be time to step back. Explore alternatives like shared reading — you read a page, they read a line. Or try wordless books where your child tells you the story through pictures. Some children benefit from narratives that help them understand their emotions, especially when school-related stress is high.
And sometimes, the wisest move is simply giving it time. Trust that enjoyment can grow, especially when nurtured with empathy and without the weight of expectation.
Step by step, you’re helping your child build a reader’s heart
In the world of parenting, few things test your patience more than wanting to help your child — and feeling like nothing works. But a love for reading doesn’t appear overnight. It emerges in small, quiet moments. In laughter over a silly character. In listening to a mystery unfold during a car ride. In picking their own book from a shelf, just because they want to.
Keep the door open to stories — in every form. Let books become familiar rather than forced. Listen with them. Laugh with them. And know that by helping them enjoy stories on their own terms, you are giving them a tool that will empower them all their lives.