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Growing Reader

Easy Ways To Fit Reading Into Busy Days With Kids

by Carly Anderson

One of the most common things teachers and librarians hear from parents is this: “We just don’t have time to read anymore.”

If you’re wondering how to fit reading into your child’s busy schedule, you’re not alone.

Between school, homework, sports, activities, and social schedules, family life during the elementary school years can feel like being on a treadmill with no off switch. By the end of the day, everyone is tired, and sitting down for long stretches of reading can feel unrealistic.

The good news is that successful reading habits often happen in small moments scattered throughout the day. A few minutes here, ten minutes there — it all adds up. In fact, research from Scholastic shows that kids ages 6–11 who are read aloud to frequently are much more likely to become frequent readers. Just as importantly, those shared reading moments create space for connection in an otherwise busy day.

When reading becomes something that fits naturally into daily routines instead of another item on the to-do list, kids are much more likely to stick with it (and honestly, it’s a lot less stressful).

Here are a few simple ways to fit more reading into busy family schedules.

Use Audiobooks To Fit Reading Into Busy Days

Audiobooks are one of the easiest ways to build reading into a packed day — and yes, audiobooks count.

Car rides, school pick-ups, errands, and even household chores can become opportunities for stories. Listening to a story together can spark conversations, inside jokes, and shared excitement about what happens next. This is especially helpful for children who struggle to stay focused while reading.

For many kids, audiobooks feel less like “reading time” and more like entertainment, which makes them especially appealing. They still provide all the benefits of storytelling — vocabulary development, comprehension, imagination, and emotional connection to characters.

They’re also a great option for young readers who may struggle with reading stamina but still love stories.

Break Reading Into 5–10 Minute Chunks

Many kids (and grown-ups) think that reading means sitting down for 30 minutes or finishing an entire chapter each time, which can feel overwhelming.

Instead, think about reading in small chunks. Five or ten minutes of reading absolutely counts.

A few pages before school. A short chapter before bed. Ten minutes after homework is finished.

These short sessions also help build reading stamina over time. The more kids experience quick, successful reading moments, the more confident they become about picking up a book again on their own.

Pro tip: Formats like graphic novels or comic books are great for reading in small chunks.

Keep Books in the Car for Easy Reading Time

If you spend time waiting in the car for pick-ups or activities, then you already have built-in reading time.

Families often spend time sitting in parking lots waiting for school dismissal, sports practices to end, or activities to start. These are perfect moments to open a book.

Keeping books in the car removes the barrier of having to remember to bring one along. When the book is already there, reading becomes the easiest option.

Even ten minutes of reading while waiting for a sibling can turn otherwise idle time into a meaningful reading habit.

Read While One Child Is at an Activity

Families with multiple kids often spend time waiting during one child’s activities — dance classes, sports practices, music lessons, or rehearsals.

Instead of scrolling or running errands, this can be a wonderful opportunity for quiet reading with another child.

Sometimes kids will read independently, but these short windows can also be a great time to read a few pages together or take turns reading aloud.

These moments can feel surprisingly special. They create small pockets of one-on-one time during an otherwise busy week. It’s a chance to slow down, be together, and share a story.

Make Reading the “In-Between” Activity

One of the simplest mindset shifts is to treat reading as the activity that fills the in-between moments of the day.

Waiting for dinner to finish cooking? Read a few pages.

Early to school pick-up? Open a book.

Ten minutes before leaving the house? Read a chapter together.

When books are easy to grab, and kids know that short reading moments count, reading naturally becomes part of the rhythm of everyday life.

Reading Doesn’t Have To Be a Chore

It’s nice to imagine reading as a quiet, cozy hour before bed with everything calm and uninterrupted. But for many families, that version of reading just doesn’t fit into their real life.

The truth is that reading needs to fit into our busy lives.

A few pages in the car. Ten minutes before practice. An audiobook on the way to school.

These small moments don’t just create lifelong readers. They’re opportunities to connect, laugh, and share stories. And over time, those moments are what kids remember most.