How to make it fun to go to library

[Anonymous]

My kids do not like to read, but I really want to promote reading. We have many books at home, and they read a few pages at most daily. I am thinking to take them to local library to start with once a week, then maybe a few times/week to stay there for 30 min or so to read random books, and no checkout. I don't want to keep track of those books at home in case they get lost, or maybe they checkout 1-2 book each time. Checking out books do not necessarily mean they will read at home.

How to pop this idea to them going to library together ? The last time we were at library was back in 2019. Kids are first grader and 4 year old. That 4 year old just tags along because she can't recognize a word yet.

[Anonymous]

Libraries have whole kid sections with toys and sometimes crafts - it genuinely is fun, especially for preschoolers. And the newness of the books there could draw their attention if nothing else.

I'm not sure your "don't check anything out" strategy makes much sense though. At a minimum checking out a book for each of them give you a reason to go back and you can get into a routine.

[Anonymous]

My kids must have low expectations for a good time because they really love the library.

I think it's all about the power of choice for the kids that makes it exciting. They can pick ANYTHING. Maybe even let them pick an audio book or a DVD. Or make it a ritual and pair it with a trip to 7-11 for a slurpee or something.

[Anonymous]

When I was a kid, my library in NY had kids reading clubs once a week. My mom gave us ten-book presents. We kept the list of books we read on the fridge or under our placemat at the kitchen table and the deal was the books could be whatever we wanted as long as it was on our reading level or above. Presents were a sheet of stickers, a tootsie roll lollipop, a barrette, etc. Small stuff. Also, we saw our parents reading all the time - magazines, books, newspaper, journals, etc.

[Anonymous]

Literally put no restrictions on it and say the kids can grab however many they want, of any type and I guarantee both will find some things they gravitate toward... it may be the dumbest unicorn comic book you couldn't bear to read aloud for the 100th time at home but they don't need to know that. The 4 year old can look at beautiful picture books; "reading" doesn't matter.

Have fun with the kid computers there, the coloring sheets, the scavenger hunt and craft kits the librarians often put out, etc....

Work it into a fun part of your weekend, like, we get bagels and the library; or we get ice cream and the library.

I have faith you can make this work. I think any way to promote and improve literacy is time and effort well spent. The library is an amazing free resource.

[Anonymous]

Going to the library and not checking out books takes away have the fun. Just have a library bin at home where you keep the books. (You may lose the occasional book or have the occasional fine, but it's way cheaper than buying all your reading material.)
Go to whatever children's programs that interest your child, let them play with the toys, if they find a book they like all the better!

[Anonymous]

I would go with the plan of reading them some books there then letting them choose some to checkout. You should choose some to read to them at home too. We have a basket in our family room that only had library books in it, helps keeping track easier. Going 2-3 times a week doesn’t sound fun tbh.

[Anonymous]

I think you are doing this backwards - let them check out as many as they like and have a special basket at home where those books are kept. Why make them read at the library? The fun is being able to take as many as you want home to look at whenever you like!

If you can go during a storytime, the little one can be amused while the olders find their books.

[Anonymous]

Our library has all kinds of kids programs--read alouds, read to dogs, crafts, shows, etc. If they go to some of those and then pick out books afterwards it might make it more of an occasion.

[Anonymous]

I would also suggest -- model checking out and reading books. When you go to the library, always pick something for yourself too and read it during the week. Kids are not great with do as I say and not as I do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids do not like to read, but I really want to promote reading. We have many books at home, and they read a few pages at most daily. I am thinking to take them to local library to start with once a week, then maybe a few times/week to stay there for 30 min or so to read random books, and no checkout. I don't want to keep track of those books at home in case they get lost, or maybe they checkout 1-2 book each time. Checking out books do not necessarily mean they will read at home.

How to pop this idea to them going to library together ? The last time we were at library was back in 2019. Kids are first grader and 4 year old. That 4 year old just tags along because she can't recognize a word yet.

Try reading more at home, and finding books on themes that they are interested in. Your kids are still quite young, so when you say "they read a few pages at most daily" you're really saying you read a few pages TO them at most, daily. Work on that, make it exciting, or fun, or even just routine. I read to my kids when they're in the bath sometimes if it's been a busy day and we don't have other time available.

You can also go to the library with a purpose - make up themes for each week. It's truck week! Let's try to find two books about trucks that we can take home! along those lines. Engage them in the activity.

[Anonymous]

Are you reading to them or expecting them to read? A four year old who doesn’t like to read may just not be ready for it?

If you’re reading to them, you may want to broaden your idea of reading. They may not want to sit still and listen quietly. They may interrupt with questions and comments or want to start playing, and those aren’t bad things. They can listen while they play in the floor. Here’s a few ideas:

Try books that get them involved and active. From Head to Toes by Eric Carle and Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury are 2 good examples of this.

Get books that encourage involvement because of their format. Lift the flaps, pop-ups, books with sound effects, etc. were big hits with my kids.

Involve yourself. Use different voices, make silly sound effects, throw in an occasional tickle or bear hug as it fits in the story.

It doesn’t have to be reading. Both my kids loved word books. My oldest used to love looking through my old weekly calendars that featured different paintings. We’d discuss the pictures (“Oh, look, it’s a cute puppy! What pretty flowers!”, etc.). You might try 10 minutes till Bedtime by Peggy Rathmann. The I Spy books are great, as are books like Where’s Waldo. I even remember a few books that their favorite parts were the end pages.

As somebody who adores libraries and has spent significant portions of my life in them, I think it’s great to take kids to the library, BUT I’d wait until they already have an appreciation for books. However, libraries can have some great events for kids, and that might be a good way to introduce them as places if fun. Basically, you’re not taking them to the library, you’re taking them to something fun and exciting that happens to be at the library.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would also suggest -- model checking out and reading books. When you go to the library, always pick something for yourself too and read it during the week. Kids are not great with do as I say and not as I do.

My kids love using the self checkout machine. They've had their own library cards since preschool. I remember the day we signed them up and they got their cards. They were so excited!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would also suggest -- model checking out and reading books. When you go to the library, always pick something for yourself too and read it during the week. Kids are not great with do as I say and not as I do.

My kids love using the self checkout machine. They've had their own library cards since preschool. I remember the day we signed them up and they got their cards. They were so excited!

+1. My 4yo loves checking out books herself. I let her pick out what she wants. In 3 years of bringing home bushels of books, we’ve never lost a single book.

Once a week is enough IMO. And agree you should check out for yourself too, and model reading. Agatha Christie is always easy to get into. Whenever I want downtime with my kids at home, I pop open a book and read instead of looking at my phone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would also suggest -- model checking out and reading books. When you go to the library, always pick something for yourself too and read it during the week. Kids are not great with do as I say and not as I do.

My kids love using the self checkout machine. They've had their own library cards since preschool. I remember the day we signed them up and they got their cards. They were so excited!

Same. OP, do your kids see you reading yourself?

Agree with PPs that you should let them take out a few books.

What are your kids into? Turtles? Princesses? Pokemon? Astronauts? Do a little advance research to see what books are available in those sections, and take them there. It doesn't matter how stupid they are, encourage it.