21 Must-Have Gifts for Readers to Encourage Young Readers (& Make Bookworms Happy Too!)
Gifts and activities for struggling readers centered around books and a love of the printed word in many formats can perhaps stir up an interest in reading for kids who aren't reading well yet, and just need a little encouragement.
Plus, if you have a bookworm in your life that you need to buy a gift for, you might want to think outside the box with all kinds of gifts for readers to make that bookworm happy!
And especially, if you have or know of a beginning reader who is struggling to learn to read, you may want to consider some well-thought out gifts that might be an encouragement for their reading journey. Here are 21 ideas for you to consider as you shop this season!
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1. Magazine Subscriptions - a Great Gift Idea for Readers!
Interest-based magazines for kids are a GREAT way to encourage reading! It's so much fun to get something in the mail. The text in a magazine are split up into small chunks or sections, which make reading not seem so insurmountable and way more fun! Plus, the text is written surrounded by informational and beautiful pictures which give context clues for text, which is great for beginning readers.
2. An awesome new Journal
Reading and writing of course go hand in hand. So what better way to encourage kids to write than to gift them with a really cool diary or journal. Even if they only draw pictures, that is the beginning of writing and reading!
3. Comic Books
Just like magazines, and perhaps more so, comic books are broken down into smaller portions of text that kids can tackle without much intimidation. Plus, tons of pictures and funny stories make it way more fun to read!
4. Books & toys that solidify learning sight words
Sight words are an integral supplement to phonics when learning how to read. Knowing a good majority of high frequency words will give beginners a great head start for fluency. A gift that helps a child memorize the sight words they need is a great gift to consider! The book included below integrates sight words into mini-sentences to make memorizing easier and help students learn sentence structure quickly as well.
A brief interruption here if you don't mind! THIS is what I am buying some friends and family (my kids) this year! Kid's Book Subscription Boxes. (FYI, there are WAY more types of subscription boxes you can buy (pampering/spa, men's interest, etc.) Check it out! There are some GOOD prices this year.
5. Subscriptions to apps & educational technology programs that teach reading skills
There are so many apps and computer software programs that teach kids how to read. Do a quick Google search looking for reading apps and you'll find quite a few that can really be a great aid for beginning readers. For struggling readers, you can do a search for the specific issues that the student may be struggling with (fluency, comprehension, phonics, etc.) and find a great program that targets that reading skill!
6. Reading Book Bags
A great gift idea for your beginning reader is a book bag or backpack she can use to tote around all her books! Something she can be proud of when she goes to school, or something designated for visits to the library. To make it even more special, check out bags and backpacks that can be monogrammed or personalized with her name.
7. A new lamp or light for the room - the perfect gift for bookworms!
A kid's gotta have light to read by! Something simple but so effective for reading in the bedroom - a great lamp or light to set at a desk or nightstand table. Better yet, make it a "fun" novelty type lamp to get the atmosphere just right for a room ready to be read in. This would be a unique option as gifts for readers and writers alike.
8. Toys that teach the Alphabet
Foundational of course for great reading is a good handle on the letters of the alphabet and the corresponding sounds of the letters. It's a job though, for a child to learn it and get really good at knowing all these letters and sounds! A great learning toy can make all the difference. Depending on the level of your beginning reader, consider an alphabet-focused toy.
9. Beanbag or cozy chair - the perfect gifts for readers!
Create an enticing and cozy, comfortable place that can be all your child's. A place to go to for reading and comfort. You're goal is to give your reader an environment that makes them be excited and want to read. A fun beanbag or chair is a great start as a gift ideas for readers!
10. Reading tent or hidey hole for reading
Go ahead and put that beanbag inside of one of these tents or pop-ups that look like so much fun! What kid would not want to sneak away into his own reading area, away from everyone else? Add some twinkle lights inside and a little ambience. Let your child decorate it and make it a special reading haven. This is a terrific idea for a gift to a new and struggling reader.
11. Really Cool Bookmarks - Great gifts for book lovers (Amazon has you covered!)
Tried and true, you can never go wrong with a good bookmark or two. And if you search on the internet, you'll find some really great ones. You can find one perfect to fit your new reader. This is a great stocking stuffer idea or a small gift to include in a Christmas card!
12. Gift Card to Amazon or a local bookstore - Going to buy the perfect book is a great activity for a struggling reader!
Always a great gift - especially for an older reader, or if you are just not sure what to get. If you are specific to get a gift card that the student can only spend in a bookstore, you are narrowing down their choice of what to buy. This way, your reluctant reader can get excited about going to pick out a great book!
13. Toys that encourage Phonics learning!
14. Gifts for bookworms - a subscription to Audible or an online bookstore
15. Another perfect activity for a struggling reader? Board games that encourage reading!
What a great idea for a Christmas gift for anyone! If you are looking for activities for struggling readers, here is a good one. Picking out a board game that requires some reading to play and win can really help your beginner. Having fun while reading and the repetition of playing will make reading seem way more fun for a kid who struggles. Here are just a few ideas..
16. BOOKS of interest, of course! (You can't go wrong with well-thought-out great gifts for book nerds or struggling readers alike)
We can't leave out the opportunity to buy kids great new books. Especially for struggling readers! One warning though: Don't get a kid who is having difficulties reading a long in-depth book with above-level vocabulary and text (even if they are interested in the subject). If it is above their level, make sure there is something to capture their attention. (Interesting pictures, short paragraphs)
17. Kid's Cookbook - include in a book lover's gift basket!
Most kids will like the idea of learning to cook up something fun and then serving it to the family! Give them direction in the kitchen, but use the ingredients and recipe instructions to practice reading skills. Not to mention, your student will be learning a little extra math when figuring out portions and amounts.
18. Fun pillow to rest on while reading
Another fun and cozy way to get comfortable while reading. A special pillow that your new beginner can take anywhere in the house to rest their head and dig into a good book. Kids always love soft pillows that they can take anywhere - like Grandma's house, or overnight at a friend's.
19. Flashlight or headlamp-type flashlight - Gifts for readers from Amazon!
While the lamp or main light listed above is an excellent idea, why not consider a flashlight or headlamp? How cool to dig down into your tent or covers and be able to read with your little mini-light. Flashlight-type gifts for book nerds & the book-averse will make any kid a happy kid. There are also tiny lamps that clip onto a book for nighttime reading. The sky is the limit with choices for flashlights!
20. Supplies to play classroom at home - Gifts for readers and writers..
Of course, when you are the teacher, you know the material better than anyone in the room! Give your student a dose of confidence when you put him in charge of the classroom. Have your new reader teach you or his siblings how to read words and sentences. This is a great idea for struggling readers, or gifts for book lovers (& Amazon is an easy place to buy it all together for the holidays). Pull out all the stops and buy supplies for a great imaginative classroom that your student can thrive in.
21. Kindle or Tablet
Last, but not least - why not consider a Kindle or Tablet (or any fun electronic device) that can host reading apps, games and online books to read and listen to? I HIGHLY recommend checking out this article about the Best Tablets for Kids before you buy. If you are looking for gifts for bookworms, this what to buy! Grab your purse and stick it in so your struggling reader can play Phonics games while you wait at the doctor's office. Take it on the car ride so that your child will have something to read for the long trip. Make sure to buy something durable or kid-friendly, and you can't go wrong with this gift!
Table of Contents
- 1. Magazine Subscriptions - a Great Gift Idea for Readers!
- 4. Books & toys that solidify learning sight words
- 5. Subscriptions to apps & educational technology programs that teach reading skills
- 6. Reading Book Bags
- 7. A new lamp or light for the room - the perfect gift for bookworms!
- 8. Toys that teach the Alphabet
- 11. Really Cool Bookmarks - Great gifts for book lovers (Amazon has you covered!)
- 15. Another perfect activity for a struggling reader? Board games that encourage reading!
- 16. BOOKS of interest, of course! (You can't go wrong with well-thought-out great gifts for book nerds or struggling readers alike)
- 17. Kid's Cookbook - include in a book lover's gift basket!
- 18. Fun pillow to rest on while reading
- 19. Flashlight or headlamp-type flashlight - Gifts for readers from Amazon!
- 20. Supplies to play classroom at home - Gifts for readers and writers..
- 21. Kindle or Tablet
great ideas! I love these options 🙂
Great read!