Boys can be naturally active and silly, but they love their quiet time too. Some of the best ways to fill in time before bed or riding in a car is to grab a good book and relax with a story. Not all boys are eager readers though and that’s okay. Here are a few of our tips to encourage boys to read, it might be easier than you think!
4 Tips to Encourage Boys to Read
Read With Your Son
It’s best to start early, right from infancy, but it’s never too late to start reading with your boy. Reading aloud together can enhance vocabulary and comprehension skills but it’s also just a really nice time to bond. We started with picture books and eventually moved on to chapter books as they got older. Before bed is the perfect time to cuddle up with a book, especially post bathtime when they smell really good! We start bedtime one hour earlier than we want them asleep to allow reading together in our routine. Follow your son’s lead each day, if he is eager to read, let him do a lot of the reading. If he’s not feeling it, you can do more of the reading. We often like to take turns and have him read one page and me the next, especially when the book is particularly hard.
Reading is Reading
Sometimes we have an idea in our head that reading only counts when it’s a story book, but reading is reading no matter what it is. Boys might be more interested in reading sports stats, quiz books, joke books, or comics. For my guys, graphic novels are where it’s at!
Model the Behaviour
Make sure the boys see you reading too, for pleasure! You might be like me and tend to save reading for when the kids are in bed and the house is quiet, but it’s good for kids to see you reading for fun. Often kids see reading as a chore, instead of a great pastime. Make sure the boys see adult male role models reading as well. Dad’s, grandparents and uncles can show boys that reading is enjoyable for all genders.
Get Boy Approved Books
The problem might not be with your boy, but your books. Bring your boys to the library or bookstore and let them choose their own favourites. My boys are really into the Big Nate books and just recently discovered the Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior series.
Disclosure:This post includes affiliate links, Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior books were provided by Andrews McMeel Publishing for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
If your boys are Minecraft fans, and most of them are, they will just love this Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior series. There are now 5 books in the series as the fifth book 8-Bit Warrior: Quest Mode has just been released.
Here’s More:
Minecraft meets Diary of a Wimpy Kid in book 5 of the very popular 8-Bit Warrior series of the journal of a young Minecraft villager who dares to dream of becoming a Minecraft warrior!
In the fifth in this series of five unofficial Minecraft adventure books, everyone’s favorite 12-year-old villager-turned-warrior is back this time to use his warrior training on a new quest.
There’s no time to enjoy his newfound stardom.To save Villagetown, Runt embarks on a perilous quest far beyond the safety of the wall. Between bizarre towns, terrifying dungeons, and epic boss battles, Runt must summon the hero within and say “so long” to the noob!
Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior books are geared for kids aged 8-12 which fits exactly the range of my three boys and it’s definitely a hit with all three of them. I’ve been reading the first book in series with my 8 year old and I have to admit I actually like the book as well! Finally, Minecraft makes sense to me when you put it into a story format! My oldest has been bringing these books everywhere with him and is spending hours pouring through the series. We definitely have a new favourite on our hands!
Right now my son is reading a minecraft series something like these.
My son likes the minecraft books. Unfortunately we lost everything in November including all of his toys/books and I know he would love this series just as much. Thanks for the chance.
My son likes books about hockey and bugs. I’d like for him to start getting into a book series.
At the moment Captain Underpants series.
My tween loves the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series
the Pokemon books are being read right now.
My child’s favourite book right now is the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series
My oldest grandson enjoys a series with some big headed characters that are being pursued by space creatures. I cannot remember the name of the books but they are almost like a comic book. He also enjoys books about computers and dinosaurs.
My girls are adults now and they love Jane Austen’s novels as does my youngest granddaughter. I loved them first.
My kids are into the Warriors series by Erin Hunter
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
My 9 year old son is not a HUGE lover of reading – but he really enjoyed the series “Amulet”
My boys are fans of The Good Guys’ Club.
Judy Moody is my son’s newest favourite series.
Right now he’s reading the Captain Underpants books.
my kids like the fudge books (tales of a fourth grade nothing).
The Captain Underpants series is a favorite here
Right now it’s anything Minecraft.
My kiddo likes Dogman, Captain underpants, diary of a Wimpy kid, and Geronimo Stilton.
He plays Minecraft and watches videos of people playing…these might be a good idea
The boys like Diary of a Wimpy Kid series
The one that was my favorite and now my daughter enjoys because of the kitty, Tabby is Mr. Putter and Tabby. They go on all adventures together, an old man and his pet cat Tabby.
They l8ke The Dairy of a Wimpy kid.
My kids like The Dairy of a Wimpy Kid and Captain Underpants
My grandchildren love Diary of a Wimpy Kids
So much Captain Underpants!
The I Survived books are one of my son’s favourites
My one son loved the Eragon series and my other guy love the Stink books
My daughter currently loves Shopkins books and the Pinkalicious series. These would be great. Thanks!
I found a series of hockey books about the WHL that my son enjoyed. Hard to find subject matter that is interesting for boys – these look good.
My sons favorite book and mine is the giving tree
at the moment she has started the Harry Potter series
I think Amulet tops the list.
My son loves the Master Dragon series right now.
My son’s fav is captain underpants
She loves the Narnia series.
My Grandson loves Dogman
Son’s favorite book is Ready Player One
My little man likes Curious George!
My kids like the Harry Potter series.
My nephew loves the Captain Underpants series.
My daughter loves graphic novels like SMILE and SISTERS. My son is reading Harry Potter just now.
My nephew loves Harry Potter.
Right now my son is into reading his dad’s old Marvel comic books!
Diary of a Wimpy Kid & Captain Underpants!
I know a youngster who’s mother passed away and is now being raised by his senior grandparents so, I would be thrilled if I could win books for him to bring a smile to his face.
My daughter loves Wayside School and Goosebumps. She sure would love these as well~!
Alex rdyer series
My kids love minecraft
My youngest daughter (7) loves Ninjago so anything related to that, and my eldest daughter (9) just got started on Nancy Drew (the ones that I grew up reading!). Both LOVE Minecraft though so these books would be an awesome surprise for them!
Right now it’s the Captain Underpants books.
my daughter is reading some classics right now.. Anne of Green Gables and Little house on the Prairie
My son likes anything Star Wars.
My son likes books about hockey
My son is reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books
My daughter love The Land of Stioreis
Bailey School kids books
My son love Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
My son loves the Diary of a Wimpy Kid
My son loves to read the Judy Moody series.
My daughter likes seus books.
My daughter really liked the Canadian Diary Series
My kids love the Geronimo Stilton series!
Wow those books look amazing. My daughter is losing interest in reading she use to love to read i think she wouuld love those liked and shared
Our youngest still loves the Lemony Snicket series
Im not entering because we already have these books but I just want to say that my son LOVED the Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior books! He devoured the first four in less then a month and when he got the latest one, it was gone in a week. He’s 8 and finding books that he likes is so hard. These were definitely a winner.
My son loves the Warriors series.
My son is into the Warriors series.
The Geronimo Stilton series!
I would say Harry Potter.
Anything Minecraft! Both boys would love to read these books!
My son loves Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and The Olympians series.
Harry Potterr
My son loves Harry Potter.
My 7 year old is reading his older brothers Goosebumps collection right now.
My boys love the humour of Captain Underpants. If it gets them the interest to read, then i am all for it. I enjoy reading with them just as much.
They like the Lemony Snicket Series of Unfortunate Events
My grandchild’s favorite series is the “Hardy Boys”.
Reading really helps the mind, i loved reading the hobbit, and lord of the rings series
I wish there were tips for girls when I was young because I hated reading and I know that its carried into adulthood. It’s really good to encourage your kids to read.
My granddaughter is on her 3rd one and she loves it!
great to hear