7 Hands-On Reading Activities for Reluctant Readers

If your child struggles to sit still and read a book, you’re not alone. For many kids, especially those with Dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning differences, reading doesn’t feel fun. It feels like a chore.

But here’s the good news—reading doesn’t have to look like sitting quietly with a chapter book.

There are plenty of hands-on reading activities that get kids moving, thinking, and learning without even realizing they’re building reading skills.

These kinds of activities are especially helpful for reluctant readers in grades K–5 who need a different approach.

If your child resists reading time, try one of these 7 fun and creative hands-on literacy activities!

1. Word Hunts Around the House

Turn your home into a word treasure map. Write simple words or sight words on sticky notes and hide them around the house. Give your child a list of the words to find, read, and check off.

Bonus idea: Have them use each word in a sentence or sort the words into categories like nouns and verbs.

2. Storytelling with Picture Cards

Use story sequencing or picture prompt cards to build a story together. Let your child choose 3 to 5 cards and create a beginning, middle, and end.

You can write it down as they tell the story or record them on video.

This builds comprehension, sequencing, and expressive language, all without needing a traditional book.

3. Label It Together

Choose a room or a few objects around the house and label them with sticky notes. As your child places each label, have them sound out the word or match it to an image.

This hands-on reading activity is great for vocabulary building and word recognition, especially with early readers.

4. Build Words with Magnetic Letters

Use a cookie sheet and magnetic letters to build sight words or practice spelling. You say the word, they build it. Or give them a scrambled word and have them rearrange the letters correctly.

Hands-on, tactile learning like this helps kids who struggle with memorization and focus.

5. Act Out a Story

Grab a favorite storybook or make one up together and act it out. Your child can take on roles, use props, and even change the ending. Acting out stories helps with comprehension and makes reading feel like play.

No costumes or stage required—just imagination.

6. Create a Comic Strip

For kids who love art or storytelling, comic strips are a perfect bridge to literacy. Fold a piece of paper into boxes and let your child create a comic with characters and dialogue.

You can model the first one and take turns writing speech bubbles. This supports sentence structure, storytelling, and creativity.

7. Scavenger Hunt with Clues

Write simple clues and hide them around the house for a scavenger hunt. Each clue leads to the next, and your child has to read to figure out where to go.

This combines problem-solving, movement, and reading into one fun activity.

Why These Hands-On Reading Activities Work

These ideas work because they tap into how kids naturally learn through movement, play, creativity, and connection.

They’re especially helpful for kids who shut down when asked to “go read a book,” especially for any children with reading difficulties. You’re still teaching phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, but in a way that works for them.

Do You Need More Help with Reading?

If your child is a reluctant reader, that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy reading. It just means they need a different way in. Hands-on reading activities are a great way to help your child build literacy skills without the pressure of traditional reading time.

Want more ideas or a personalized plan for your child? Our online reading tutors specialize in helping struggling readers in grades K–5 build confidence and skills through effective approaches.

Schedule a free call to learn more about how we can support your child’s reading journey.

Free Discovery Call

20

Book Now