4 Ways To Encourage Your Kids To Love Reading

‘So Please, Oh Please, We Beg, We Pray, Go Throw Your TV Set Away, And In Its Place You Can Install, A Lovely Bookshelf On The Wall.’ Roald Dahl

With only a few weeks left of 2016, there’s still time to get your kids into books as part of the UAE’s initiative to make this year all about reading – and start them off on a literary love journey for the New Year! Whether you already have a mini bookworm at home, you want to start introducing books to a teeny one or you’re battling to make reading seem fun, here are 4 fun ways that might help…

Kitabox

We love the box delivery trend that sees everything from cosmetics to organic veggies, home accessories to mama/baby essentials delivered direct to our doors (read our full roundup on the best box deliveries in Dubai!). Kitabox is a fabulous monthly book delivery for kids that picks titles from small publishing houses around the world – all carefully chosen to coincide with events (their Halloween picks included the cutest book about a school for witches…). The boxes are put together according to age group and include little gifts to compliment each theme, an activity booklet that includes colouring, word scramble, crosswords and more plus a newsletter that engages the kids in really thinking about what they’ve heard or read with questions about the book and little tasks to complete. There’s nothing like that box arriving like a special gift every month to get the kiddos excited – well done Kitabox!
www.kitabox.ae 

The Old Library

There’s something very special about choosing books from a library – and it’s a great discipline for the kids too – getting them to think about which titles to pick and then look after them until they need to be returned. It’s also great for teaching them to be quiet at times (!), in the hushed space of the library and a fab way of keeping them interested in reading without having to buy new books all the time – plus there are only so many times you can read the ones at home! The Old Library in Mall Of The Emirates is a lovely peaceful little spot with a great kids section. It costs AED 200 to join as a member for the year, allowing you to borrow up to 8 books for a period of 4 weeks each. They also host regular book reading events for little ones. For more info read Lou’s field trip to the Old Library feature!
www.theoldlibrary.ae 

BookMunch Cafe & Bookshop

How about grabbing a killer slice of cake and a coffee/babyccino while your little one gets lost in a book? Well that’s exactly what you can do at BookMunch Cafe in Wasl Square – a cosy little space dedicated to food and reads (best combo right!?). Not only are there books to buy but also a selection to thumb through while you sit back and relax and a little reading tent especially for the kids to climb into with a story. Read our full BookMunch review here for a little insight as to what to expect on the menu – a real hit with the kids if you’re staying for a bigger bite!
www.bookmunchcafe.com 

Reading Nooks

Which kid doesn’t love a den all of their own?! Make them a little reading nook and they’ll be in it pronto – all you need is a few floor cushions, a bookshelf and a cosy rug and hey presto, they’ve got a space to escape to with a good book. Heavenly (can we have one too!?). Go to Pinterest for inspo and hit-up Ikea for all you need.

Happy reading mamas (and kids!)