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It’s no secret that reading is good for children, but getting your kid excited about spending time with their nose in a book can be challenging. However, with a few simple tricks, you can turn the idea of reading—and spending time together as a family—into something they’ll look forward to every day. Here are a few tips on how to turn your child into an avid reader:

Read to them every day.

Reading aloud should become part of your daily routine so that it becomes something typical and expected—like brushing your teeth before bedtime. Reading aloud shouldn’t feel like work; instead, it should be relaxing and enjoyable for you and your child.

Make books accessible and enjoyable.

You should consider when choosing where to put books is whether or not they are easily visible to your child. For example, if you only have one bookcase in your living room, but it’s located on a wall opposite where your kid usually sits while watching TV, they may be less likely to see the books and choose them over electronic tablets or video games.

A better option would be putting several small shelves near where your kid regularly spends time (like their bedside table). It’s also helpful if these shelves can be moved around so that if one spot doesn’t work for whatever reason (too crowded with toys), there are other places nearby where they can go next time!

Use the library often.

Libraries are fantastic resources, and they’re free! In addition to all the books you could want, there are movies and audiobooks. Libraries also have computers for kids to use in the library or at home. There are programs for all ages so no one will be left out.

Have dedicated reading time every day.

Make reading a priority and make it fun. This means setting aside time for your child to read every day, even if it’s just 10 minutes. It also means putting the book away when they finish reading so they can relax or take a nap or play with friends after they finish reading.

You want to ensure that your child connects reading with relaxation and fun, not work or stress. If this is how they see it now, then you’re doing something right! Use this opportunity to talk about how much you enjoy spending time together, whether it’s by talking about a story or just sitting quietly together on the couch while enjoying each other’s company while one of them reads aloud from our favorite book.

Check out audiobooks together.

There are tons of audiobooks for kids out there, and some of them even have downloadable versions. If your child is not keen on reading but loves listening to someone else read (like many kids do), this can be a great way to get them started. Even if they don’t enjoy the book, listening might make it easier for them to stay engaged in the story and see what the fuss is about.

This also allows you to bond over something that interests both of you—plus, audiobooks are great for bonding time!