Need the perfect gift for a young bookworm? You can’t go wrong when you give a reading-themed present. The obvious choice is to gift a book, but there are many quirky, entertaining, and educational gift options out there that are perfect for young readers.
Here are our top 10 easy gifting choices that are suitable for your preschool readers and beyond:
1. Bookish Tote Bag
Books bags don’t just have to be for school; a bookish tote bag is an ideal gift for kids who love reading. Choose bags with fun images and prints—like illustrations or quotations from their favorite books—and have the bag personalized with their name.
A personalized book bag helps kids keep track of library loans and makes trips to the library or bookstore feel extra special.
2. Personalized Library Stamp
A personalized library stamp is the perfect gift for a future librarian! Especially if your little reader loves to share their favorite books with friends and family. Available in various designs and with the option to personalize with their name or initials, a library stamp helps your child take ownership of their collection and be safe in the knowledge that any loaned-out books will get returned to their shelves.
3. Reading Apparel
There are many ways to use a clothing gift to showcase your child’s love of reading. You could consider a “Reading is My Super Power” t-shirt, a pair of super cozy “Do Not Disturb, I’m Reading” socks, or an “All Booked Up” sweatshirt.
Many popular children’s book series have apparel lines, such as Michael Bond’s “Paddington Bear,” A.A. Milne’s “Winnie the Pooh,” or Roald Dahl’s “Matilda.” If your little reader loves those tales, look for themed clothing.
4. Book Light
If a young reader loves to cozy up with a book in bed at night, a book light illuminates the process. Try a tap-touch-controlled silicone reading light. These are USB rechargeable and often double up as a night light, as a second tap turns the light red rather than white. You can usually find them in preschooler-friendly shapes like animals, clouds, or stars.
Older children might prefer a sleeker design, like a clip-on desk lamp-style reading light that attaches to their bed or dresser or even a futuristic neck book light that rests around their neck and shines light onto their book from either end.
5. Bookmarks
Is your giftee ready for more complex storylines? Once a child embarks on chapter books, a bookmark makes an excellent small gift, removing the temptation to dog-ear pages of their books to mark their place.
You could make bookmarks together as a family craft project or pick them up for a few dollars at a local bookstore. Small craft businesses (online or brick-and-mortar) may offer personalized bookmarks with your child’s name or initials.
6. Notebooks or Journals
Your budding reader might also be a budding writer. Gifting them a special notebook or journal to jot down their ideas will help nurture this talent and help them practice their writing skills.
They could also use their notebook to keep a reading journal, recording what they have read and what they liked or did not like about the book.
7. Gift Cards
It can feel daunting to gift a book to an avid reader; you worry that you might not pick something at the right level or that your gift may duplicate a book they already have. Giving them a gift card for a bookstore means that they can choose their next adventure and, as a bonus, get an extra trip to the bookstore.
8. An E-Reader
Most e-readers are suitable for children aged seven and up, and you can set parental controls to help manage the content they can access. You can also use e-readers to access e-book loans through your local library, which means your bookworm can explore even more books.
E-readers also have features that entice struggling readers to engage. For example, you can change the page color and font size or turn on narration so children can listen as they read along.
9. Storytelling Speaker
Storytelling speakers like Yoto Player or Tonie Box allow children to listen to stories while they travel, do chores, or take walks. With the help of these devices, kids can learn while on the go, build their vocabulary, improve their comprehension, and hear great examples of fluent reading.
10. Reading Subscriptions
A reading subscription is the gift that keeps on giving to your young, enthusiastic reader. You can use an online service like BookAroo, or see if your local independent bookstore offers this service.
With a reading subscription, a child can receive a regular book (usually monthly) wrapped and delivered to their door. You can set parameters for the reading gifts, including reading level and topics of interest.
Put a Smile on Your Bookworm’s Face
Any of these gifts will bring young book enthusiasts joy while helping them become better readers. They can be used to reward little achievements or celebrate major holidays. Regardless of the occasion, you can’t go wrong with investing in a child’s love of reading and learning.
And if your child struggles to love reading, talk to one of our reading teachers at our private elementary school in Atlanta. We’re dedicated to fostering phonics and reading comprehension success through our science-backed reading curriculum.
Infographic
Searching for the ideal gift for a young bookworm? Reading-themed presents are a fantastic choice! While a book is a classic option, there are many fun and educational alternatives. Explore this infographic for the top ten gift ideas.
