Toys & Play

26 Great Gifts for Kids Who Love to Read

Stephanie Ganz
Stephanie Ganz
Once a professional chef (in the lifetime before she had two kids), Stephanie Ganz has written and developed original recipes for Bon Appetit, Eater, The Kitchn, and Virginia Living, and is a regular contributor to Richmond Magazine.
Megan Gray
Megan Gray
Estate sales, yard sales, and antique shops were regular weekend destinations for my brother and me as kids. My parents, always on the hunt for period-appropriate decor for our Staten Island 19th-century house, made sure of it. Since then, I’ve had a love for home design and…read more
updated Dec 15, 2025
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Two children lie on their tummies and read the same book together
Credit: Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty Images

There’s something positively magical about getting lost in a great book. I come from a long line of readers, and it was important to me to help my kids, now 12 and 6, cultivate their own relationships with reading. From board books to novels, I’ve watched my kiddos grow into readers who are happy spending hours curled up with their favorite books, and that’s great news for me because it’s something the three of us can enjoy together. These are some of my favorite gifts from over the years for helping them get there.

Gifts for New or Young Readers

The Early Reader Club
$29

Lovevery offers play kits tailored to every age, from babies up to 8 years old, and designed around various interests, including music, food, and more. Their Early Readers Club, which can be canceled at any time, is delivered every two months. Each box includes several books: read-aloud options for 0- to 4-year-olds and more phonics-focused learning materials for older children. This subscription is a great way to help your child continuously explore and cultivate a love for reading. Plus, for a limited time, you can score up to 25% off sitewide.

$29 at Lovevery
Personalized Books Read Tracker
$20$13

Your little ones can start to track how many books they read with this adorable tracker (it’s also great for bigger kids and adults). There are four size options and four color options, and you can personalize it with a name as well. Kids can track their progress up into the hundreds (it comes with three packs of numbers)!

$13 at Etsy
Tiny Chair
$179$140

If you want to encourage your kiddo to be a reader, you’ve got to give them some great places to get cozy. These kid-sized chairs from West Elm are chic enough to look great in any room of the house, from the playroom to the living room. Available in a dozen stylish colorways, these chairs include a handy pocket where your little one can stash their latest reading material.

$140 at West Elm
Toniebox Audio Player Starter Kit
$100$80

When it comes to storytime with my 2-year-old, we love listening to the Toniebox. Just set the Tonies (sold separately) on the top, and you can hear stories, songs, and more. It also has great options for older kids (just read about my 5-year-old's top picks).

$80 at Amazon
Library Card Tote Bag
$22

The library is a special place for young readers. From preschool story time to getting their first library card, it’s a foundational spot for nurturing a love of reading from an early age. Set your child up for a lifetime of reading with their own library tote bag, modeled after the paper library cards of yesteryear.

$22 at Uncommon Goods
Elephant & Piggie Read Kids' T-Shirt
$23

I credit Piggy & Gerald (and their creator, Mo Willems) for ushering both of my kids into the world of reading with his funny, easy-to-read books. If your child loves Willems’ darling duo as much as my family does, this 100% cotton T-shirt will let them share it with the world, and every purchase supports the American Library Association, so even more kids can fall in love with Piggy & Gerald.

$23 at Out of Print
Custom Board Book of Names & Faces
$42$31

This personalized board book featuring photos of your child’s family and friends will undoubtedly become their favorite thing to "read" before anything else. The durable, glossy, spiral-bound book can be made with up to 21 pages for your kiddo to flip through over and over (and over) again.

$31 at Pinhole Press
Little Tikes Story Dream Machine Starter Set
$50

Early readers can project classic kids’ stories right onto the wall with this age-appropriate projector from Little Tikes, which comes with three Golden Book stories and a Poky Little Puppy stuffed animal. After reading time is over, the projector doubles as a nightlight with a white noise feature. Kids will love growing their library over the years with additional story collections — a great gift idea for grandparents and friends.

$50 at Walmart
High Five Magazine, 1 Year
$84$49

Kids absolutely love getting mail (probably because they haven’t yet heard of bills). When my children were preschool age, they would rush to the mailbox to see if they’d gotten a new issue of High Five Magazine and then pore over the games, stories, and activities inside until another one arrived.

$49 at Highlights
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Bundle
$31$27

Listening to stories being read aloud is just as important for brain development as reading itself, and pre-readers and early readers alike will adore this interactive reading experience that allows kids to fire up their imagination with the stories (and songs) of their choice. This bundle, designed for kids from 2 to 5, includes Eric Carle’s classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other stories narrated by the author himself. After purchasing the pod, you can continue gifting new books and music year after year.

$27 at Storypod
Costway Indoor/Outdoor Pop-Up Play Tent
$99$61

A good nook is essential for any serious reader, and this play tent provides the perfect secluded spot for curling up with a book for untold hours. The neutral design means it works well with a variety of styles, and the size is big enough that your kiddo can even invite a friend (or grown-up) to join them inside.

$61 at Wayfair
The Little Girl or Boy Who Dared to Dream
$40

There’s something enchanting about seeing yourself in a narrative. It’s what makes books so appealing to so many young readers. In this personalized book, your little one can literally see their name in print, with each letter of their name representing a unique adjective that makes them special.

$40 at Wonderbly
El Deafo: Superpowered Edition!
$20$19

Encouraging a love of reading is all about finding the right book, and a graphic novel can be a solid gateway for budding readers. This true story from author Cece Bell is full of humor and compassion, and kids who fall in love with the book will also enjoy watching the series on AppleTV.

$19 at Bookshop

Gifts for Older Avid Readers

Literati Book Club Monthly Membership
$12

If you’ve got a serious reader on your hands, it can be challenging to keep up with their demand for new material. Luckily, this book club subscription delivers an assortment of books for kids ages 0 to 14 right to your door. Customize your book box based on your kiddo’s age and interests, and each month you’ll receive five books to choose from — only pay for what you keep.

$12 at Literati
Yoto Mini Audio Player
$80

I'm a big fan of screen-free toys, and the Yoto Mini is one I recommend often. You can insert cards with audiobooks (there are so many options!), and it's great for book-loving kids on the go. You can get up to 14 hours of play on one charge and even use it as a portable speaker, alarm clock, sound machine, and more.

$80 at Yoto
Personalized Library Stamp
$20$15

Help your child keep track of their books with this personalized stamp. With over 26 designs (like cats, trees, dragons, and more)and 10 stamp styles available, it's easy to find one for your bookworm’s aesthetic. An inkpad is included to help them get stamping right away.

$15 at Etsy
Kids Reading Challenge with Rewards
$25

For the young reader who loves a challenge, this gift offers a collection of 15 reading-related activities. Designed for kids ages 6 to 11, the challenges can be completed in any order and at their own pace. They include tasks like reading a poem or creating a reading nook. Successful completion earns prizes like key chains and bookmarks.

$25 at Uncommon Goods
SpaceAid 2-Tier Rotating Bookshelf Tower
$84$67

I have this rotating bookshelf in my living room, and my son has remarked, "It feels like a library in here!" There's room for a ton of books, so your little bibliophile has a place for all their favorites. You can also choose from several shelf options (from two to five), and no tools are needed for assembly.

$67 at Amazon
Glocusent Book Light
$30$22

Reading by flashlight is an age-old rite of passage, but these days the lights are getting more sophisticated than the plastic flashlight I kept under my covers. This bendable, wearable, rechargeable book light offers a variety of brightness levels for hours of hands-free reading in the comfort of your kiddo’s bed.

$22 at Amazon
My Reading Log Book Review Journal For Kids
$13

An important part of reading is processing what you’ve just read. This reading log, designed for kids 6 to 12, lets young readers track their progress by minute or by page, with space for book reviews and special challenges to keep them motivated.

$13 at Amazon
Book Stand Holder
$12

You’ll never lose your place in a book again, thanks to this handy wooden bookholder. It features a simple, handmade design and a sturdy build, plus you can choose from three colors (espresso, walnut, golden oak). The holder is essential for any budding bookworm.

$12 at Etsy
Fluffy Fur Reading Pillow
$30

Reading in bed is one of life’s great luxuries, but finding the right position for reading comfortably is key if you want to stay awhile. Enter: the reading pillow. Fluffy, soft, and with plenty of support, it’s the pillow of any reader’s dreams.

$30 at Amazon
Storybook DIY Kit, Bookshop
$44

Bring the charm of a bookshop to your home with this enchanting DIY kit. Assemble the 194 pieces to create a miniature scene that makes a beautiful piece of decor for your child’s bookshelf or next to their TBR pile. The kit takes just a few hours to put together (no glue needed) and includes the glow of mini LED lights (requires 2 AAA batteries, not included).

$44 at Uncommon Goods
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids
$180$145

For kids who tear through books at an alarming speed, consider ditching the overloaded bookshelves in favor of a mobile reader. The Kindle Paperwhite Kids is designed for young readers and comes with a six-month subscription to Amazon Kids+, which gives them access to thousands of age-appropriate books for them to choose from.

$145 at Amazon
Flippy Tablet Pillow Stand
$34

Designed for reading or playing on digital devices, Flippy is a lap desk / pillow for propping up your kiddo's ipad, Kindle, etc. It’s lightweight but sturdily built and available in 10 fun colors kids will love, like Barbie Unicorn and Jurassic Park.

$34 at Amazon
Britannica All New Kids' Encyclopedia
$29

Kids are full of questions — some you can answer and some that are likely above your pay grade. The encyclopedia has most, if not all, of the answers they seek, and giving a child one of these foundational reference books will help them develop an appreciation for doing their own research from an early age.

$29 at Walmart

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