Keeping kids engaged in reading can be a challenge, but making it fun can change everything.
From my own experiences and creative ideas, I’ve found that incorporating games into reading time not only captures their interest but also makes learning enjoyable.
In this article, I’ll share 20 interesting and funny reading games that will make your kids look forward to reading.
These games are designed to be both entertaining and educational, helping to spark a love for reading while having a blast.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, these games will bring joy and excitement to reading sessions.

1. The Blindfolded Book Pass
Gather your kids and their friends in a circle. One child is blindfolded and given a book.
The other kids pass the book around until the blindfolded child says “stop.” The child holding the book when “stop” is called has to read a sentence or a paragraph out loud.
This game not only makes reading fun but also encourages kids to read out loud confidently.
2. Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of items or words that kids need to find in their books. Give each child a book and a list, and let the hunt begin!
This game enhances their reading skills and vocabulary as they search for specific words or items.
3. Word Ladder
Start with a simple word and challenge your kids to change one letter at a time to form a new word. For example, start with “cat” and change it to “bat,” then “bit,” and so on.
This game is great for improving spelling and critical thinking skills.
4. Word Jumble
Write a word on the board with its letters jumbled up and ask the kids to unscramble it.
You can make it more challenging by setting a timer. This game is excellent for enhancing their spelling and problem-solving skills.
5. Hangman
A classic game where one player thinks of a word, and the others try to guess it by suggesting letters.
For every incorrect guess, a part of a hangman is drawn. This game is fun and helps kids with spelling and vocabulary.
6. Word Match
Create cards with words and their definitions. Mix them up and ask your kids to match the words with their correct definitions.
This game helps in expanding their vocabulary and understanding of words.
7. Word Scramble
Similar to Word Jumble, but here you scramble a group of words from a sentence or a story and ask the kids to put them back in the correct order.
This game enhances their reading comprehension and sentence structure skills.
8. Secret Code
Create a secret code where each letter of the alphabet is represented by a symbol or a number.
Write a message in the code and challenge your kids to decode it. This game is great for critical thinking and problem-solving.
9. Crossword Puzzle
Make a crossword puzzle using words from a story your kids are reading. They need to solve the puzzle by reading the clues and filling in the correct words.
This game improves their vocabulary and comprehension skills.
10. Word Search
Create a word search puzzle with words from your kids’ favorite books. They need to find and circle the words hidden in the grid.
This game is excellent for improving their focus and vocabulary.
11. Quiz Show
Turn reading into a quiz show where you ask questions based on the story or book your kids are reading. They earn points for correct answers. This game encourages attentive reading and comprehension.
12. Alphabetical Order
Challenge your kids to arrange words from a story in alphabetical order.
This game helps them learn how to organize words and improves their alphabet knowledge.
13. Rhyming Words
Pick a word from a book and ask your kids to come up with as many rhyming words as possible.
This game is fun and helps them understand phonetics and rhyming patterns.
14. Parts of Speech
Write sentences from a book and ask your kids to identify the parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.).
This game enhances their grammar skills and understanding of sentence structure.
15. Guess the Sound
Play a sound clip related to a story your kids are reading and ask them to guess what it is. For example, if they’re reading about a farm, play animal sounds.
This game makes reading more interactive and fun.
16. Definition
Pick challenging words from a book and ask your kids to define them. You can give them multiple-choice options to make it easier.
This game expands their vocabulary and comprehension.
17. Synonyms and Antonyms
Choose words from a book and ask your kids to find their synonyms and antonyms. This game helps in enhancing their vocabulary and understanding of word relationships.
18. Multiple Choice
Create multiple-choice questions based on a story or a book. This game is similar to a quiz but provides options, making it easier and more engaging for kids to participate.
19. True or False
Make statements about a story your kids are reading and ask them to determine if they are true or false.
This game encourages careful reading and attention to detail.
20. Fill in the Blank
Take sentences from a book and remove some words, leaving blanks. Ask your kids to fill in the blanks with the correct words.
This game improves their reading comprehension and understanding of context.
Conclusion
These games not only make reading more enjoyable for kids but also help them develop essential reading skills. Try these out and watch your kids fall in love with reading!
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