Does he read/look at books/be read to at other times? My kids are 9 and 12 and we still read before bedtime -- sometimes together each of us reading our own book, sometimes me reading out loud (especially to the 9 year old), and sometimes them reading alone. I think it's important to have dedicated reading time and also to have quiet activity time before bed.

We kept the books part for a long time - at least 3rd grade, maybe 4th grade - sometimes they read to us, sometimes us to them. At that point, they would pick the books and we'd do a chapter a night. We read the entire Harry Potter series that way.

Bedtime always included reading to wind down, when my children didn’t want me to read to them we read independently but together for 15-20 minutes. We’ve kept it up over the years, and as they got older I made the rule that if they don’t want to read at all they go to bed a little earlier. So bedtime with no reading is 8:30, but if they read quietly they can stay up until 9. Now they’re 12 and 14 and still read right before bed.

My 4 year old says this too, he just doesn't like to slow down and stop playing. I say "ok I'll just read this out loud while you play then," and most of the time if he's not super keyed up he'll come sit next to me after a minute or two to see the pictures.

We've had a teeth, bath, books, bed routine for a long time in our household. Recently, DS (4) says he doesn't want books and just plays a little in his room instead. He still goes to bed on time. I miss reading books with him, but it seems silly to force him to. I should just let this go right?