Rewarding Reading with Character Fun: How To Make Storytime More Exciting

For many families, reading is already a treasured part of the day, but adding a little

character-inspired fun can make storytime feel even more magical. Whether your child is

obsessed with superheroes, unicorns, classic fairytale characters, Disney stories, or magic and spells, using their favourite characters can help spark excitement, confidence, and curiosity about books. If you’re looking to build up your collection without breaking the bank, The Works offers a great range of children’s books for all ages.

Here are some playful, screen-free ways to bring stories to life and gently motivate kids to read more, without turning it into a chore.

1. Try Character Reading Bingo

A simple bingo sheet can transform everyday reading into a family-friendly game. Create a grid

with prompts like:

• Read a book with an animal character
• Read a story set in space
• Read a book with a brave hero
• Read something funny
• Read a book with magic

Kids can mark off squares as they complete them. Once they complete a line, or the whole grid, celebrate!

2. Make Your Own Character Reading Passport

A reading passport is a fun way to track the places books “take” you. Each page can represent:

• A world (e.g., Neverland, space, underwater)
• A character (“Stamp this page when you read a book with a
• fairy/princess/dinosaur/robot”)
• A genre (mystery, adventure, nature, animals)

Apply a “stamp” each time your child completes an entry.

By the end, they’ll have a whole “travel” log of their reading adventure, and most children feel proud looking back at all they’ve covered.

If you’d prefer something ready-made to help kids track progress, you might like these

free printable reading log worksheets. They work beautifully alongside reading passports or bingo sheets.

3. Bring Stories to Life with Book-Based Crafts

Crafting is one of the easiest ways to make stories memorable. Try creating:

• Your favourite characters from air dry clay – it’s soft, easy to shape, and dries without
• baking, making it perfect for little hands.
• Paper plate masks for retelling the story
• Painting a favourite scene or moment
• Junk-modelling props, you could make a pirate ship, a robot, a castle, a forest – the
• possibilities are endless!

These crafts help children explore story settings, express creativity, and deepen

comprehension, all while engaging in play. For additional ideas, explore a wide range of

child-friendly craft projects in our craft section.

4. Create a Character Scavenger Hunt

Turn storytime into a mini treasure hunt by hiding objects around the room that relate to the book:

• A wooden spoon becomes a magic wand
• A toy animal represents a story character
• A leaf or pinecone matches a forest setting
• A pirate coin for adventure stories

Children can search for the items before reading or during the story. This is especially fun for toddlers and early readers who love movement-based activities.

5. Add a Little Collectable Magic

Not every family uses rewards for reading, but for some children, a small, tangible token of progress can make milestones feel special.

One idea is to use sew on patches to mark achievements. For example, awarding a patch for reading 10 books, 20 books, and so on. These can be a simple, visual way for children to see their reading journey grow.

Another option is to create a “story charm bracelet” or keyring, adding a new bead or charm each time they reach a goal. Over time, it becomes a colourful reminder of all the stories they’ve enjoyed!

You could also celebrate milestones with a simple certificate, giving children something they can proudly display as they build confidence and momentum.

This can be a lovely way to say: “You explored so many new stories, well done!”

6. End with a Reading Celebration Day

To wrap up a reading challenge or themed week, try a simple celebration:

• A “story picnic” with books outdoors
• Dressing up as a favourite character
• Acting out the story with toys
• Making a themed snack
• Creating a cosy fort with fairy lights and comfy blankets

Ending with something special helps children build joyful associations with reading.

Making Reading Feel MagicalWhen reading feels playful, children naturally want to do more of it. These fun-filled ideas help bring stories off the page and into your child’s world, through creative crafts, exciting games, pretend play and little keepsakes that remind them of their adventures.

If you’re looking for even more gentle ways to support developing readers, our roundup of tips may help.

With a few simple activities, storytime becomes more than a routine; it becomes something you can all look forward to every day!