TL;DR: If your kid treats a physical book like it’s a cursed artifact but will happily scroll through TikTok for three hours, it’s time to pivot. Digital reading tools—when used intentionally—can lower the barrier for reluctant readers by offering privacy, gamification, and accessibility features that paper simply can't match.
Top Recommendations:
- Best for School-Aged Kids: Epic!
- Best for Free Books (Public Library): Libby
- Best for School Library Access: Sora
- Best Dedicated Hardware: Kindle Kids
- Best for Early/Struggling Readers: Reading Eggs
We’ve all been there. You buy the gorgeous hardcover edition of The Wild Robot, you set the "cozy vibes," and your kid looks at you like you’ve just asked them to do manual labor in a coal mine. Meanwhile, they’re perfectly capable of reading complex stats in Roblox or navigating deep lore wikis about whatever "Ohio" meme is currently trending.
The truth is, for a lot of kids, the physical act of reading feels high-stakes and low-reward. They see a wall of text and their brain shuts down. But when we move that text to a screen, the "threat" level drops. Suddenly, it’s not "homework"—it’s content.
If we want to raise intentional digital citizens, we have to meet them where they are. And right now, they are on screens. Let’s talk about how to turn that screen time into high-quality literacy time without it feeling like a bait-and-switch.
Digital reading isn't just "reading on a screen." For a kid who struggles or just plain hates books, digital tools offer a few "cheat codes" that paper can't:
- The Privacy Factor: If a 5th grader is reading at a 2nd-grade level, carrying around a "baby book" is social suicide. On a Kindle Kids, no one knows if you’re reading Dog Man or a chapter book.
- Customizable UI: For kids with dyslexia or visual processing issues, being able to change the font to "OpenDyslexic," increase the line spacing, or turn the background to a warm sepia can be the difference between a headache and a finished chapter.
- Instant Gratification: Most apps have built-in dictionaries. If they don't know a word, they long-press it. No more stopping the flow to ask Mom what "formidable" means.
- Gamification: Badges, streaks, and "leveling up" might feel like cheap tricks to us, but for a kid raised on Fortnite, those dopamine hits are a language they speak fluently.
Ask our chatbot for a list of books for kids who love Minecraft
Think of this as the "Netflix of books." It’s a subscription service that gives kids access to thousands of high-quality titles, including massive hits like Big Nate.
- The Pro: The "Read to Me" feature is excellent for building vocabulary while the kid follows along visually.
- The Con: It can feel a bit "school-ish" if over-assigned, and some of the "videos" on the platform are definitely more "brain rot" than educational. Stick to the books.
If you aren't using your local library’s digital catalog, you are literally leaving money on the table. Both apps allow you to borrow ebooks and audiobooks for free.
- The Pro: It costs $0.
- The Con: Popular titles (like the latest Diary of a Wimpy Kid) often have long waitlists. It’s a great lesson in patience, I guess?
This is the student version of Libby. Many school districts use Sora to give kids access to their school library's digital collection.
- The Pro: It connects directly to their school account, and teachers can sometimes assign specific "collections" that match what’s happening in class.
For the younger crowd (ages 2-7) or older kids who are significantly behind on phonics.
- The No-BS Take: This is a "game first" app. It’s flashy, it’s loud, and it’s addictive. But it works. If your kid is struggling with the basics, the gamified rewards in Reading Eggs can push them through the "boring" part of learning to blend sounds.
This is where parents often get stuck. Do you buy a dedicated e-reader or just use the iPad they already have?
Kindle Kids (The E-Ink Winner)
I’m a huge fan of the Kindle Kids edition for one reason: zero distractions. It’s a device that does one thing: books. There are no YouTube notifications, no Roblox invites, and no "just one more TikTok" temptations.
- The Vibe: The screen looks like paper (e-ink), so it’s better for their eyes and won't mess with their melatonin levels if they’re reading before bed.
- The Verdict: If you can afford the dedicated device, it’s the gold standard for intentional reading.
Tablets (iPad/Android)
Using an iPad for reading is like trying to meditate in the middle of a carnival. It’s possible, but it takes a lot of willpower.
- The Strategy: If you use a tablet, you must use "Guided Access" (on iOS) or a similar lockdown mode to keep them inside the reading app. Otherwise, they will inevitably end up on YouTube.
Learn how to set up Guided Access for reading time
We need to stop the "snobbery" around what counts as reading. If your kid’s eyes are tracking words on a page (or screen), they are reading.
Digital platforms like Epic! are loaded with graphic novels. For a reluctant reader, the visual context of a comic helps them decode the text. Wings of Fire (the graphic novel version) is a gateway drug to the full novels. Let them read the "comic" version first. It builds the world in their head so the text-heavy version isn't as intimidating later.
Audiobooks
Yes, audiobooks count. Especially for kids with ADHD or dyslexia, listening to a book while playing with Legos or coloring allows them to consume complex stories that their current reading level might not support.
Ages 5-7: The "Hook" Phase
Focus on high-engagement, gamified apps. Skybrary (formerly Reading Rainbow) is fantastic here because it features "video field trips" that connect the books to the real world.
Ages 8-12: The "Autonomy" Phase
This is when kids start to push back on "assigned" reading. Give them a Kindle Kids and a budget of $10 a month to pick whatever they want. If they want to read a book about MrBeast or a guide to Minecraft, let them. The goal is volume, not "literature" (yet).
Ages 13+: The "Social" Phase
Teens often read based on what’s viral. Goodreads or even "BookTok" (with heavy supervision) can drive interest. At this age, audiobooks are often the only way they can fit "pleasure reading" into a schedule packed with homework and sports.
- Blue Light: If they are using a tablet (not an e-ink Kindle), turn on "Night Shift" or "Blue Light Filter." Reading on a bright blue screen at 8:00 PM is a recipe for a 10:00 PM meltdown.
- Gamification Burnout: Some apps (like Reading Eggs) can become more about "earning coins" than reading. If you notice your kid is clicking through pages just to get the reward without actually looking at the words, it’s time to take a break or switch to a simpler interface.
- The "One More Chapter" Trap: Digital books don't have a physical "end" in the same way. Set a "sleep timer" on audiobooks so they don't stay up all night listening to Harry Potter.
Don't frame digital reading as "since you won't read 'real' books, we're doing this." Frame it as an upgrade.
- "I found this app that has all the Marvel comics. Want to check it out on the iPad tonight?"
- "I heard the Kindle has a special font that makes it way easier to read. Do you want to try it and see if it stops those headaches you get?"
- "We're going on a road trip. Everyone gets to pick one audiobook on Libby that we'll listen to together."
The goal isn't to replace paper books forever; it’s to build a bridge. For a reluctant reader, a screen is a familiar, safe environment. By moving the "scary" task of reading into that safe space, we lower the friction and help them realize that stories are worth the effort—regardless of whether they’re delivered via ink or pixels.
Next Steps:
Check out our guide on the best graphic novels for reluctant readers