
Family Literacy Day is almost here. It’s a fun annual reminder on January 27th that reading is an important part of a child’s development. One of the most important keys to success is to engage your child with fun and memorable activities each and every day.
Here are 10 literacy activities to grow your child’s literacy learning while keeping the whole family entertained:
-
Aim to read with your child 20 minutes a day if possible. Engage them by reading different kinds of texts that you both enjoy. We suggest trying comics, joke books, magazines or ebooks.
-
Create your own flash cards to help your child learn sight words. To help them gain automaticity use the cards to make simple sentences or play games like ‘Go Fish’ or ‘Memory’.
-
Label items around the house and practice reading them with your child
-
Reading apps can help engage your child and leverage technology.
-
Cook together! Recipes are a fun and practical way to experience the power of reading in real life.
-
Begin to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday by reading books by Canadian authors. Ask your local librarian to help you and your child find books.
-
Mix up your family bookshelf with a visit to the bookstore to encourage everyone to always be reading. We’ve been enjoying these books about wellness and these books to battle bullying.
-
Gather family and friends together for a book swap. It’s a budget friendly way to grow your home library while enjoying great conversation about books with adults and children alike.
-
Play games! A family game night with board or card games help reinforce skills such as drawing, counting and reading.
-
Storytelling is a wonderful way to build your child’s oral literacy. Get cozy and sit around making up silly stories or retell old favourites!
Related Articles View All
The Forest of Reading: Cultivating a Love of Literacy with Meredith Tutching
In our exclusive interview with Meredith Tutching, Director of the Forest of Reading®, we explore how this beloved Canadian literacy program empowers young readers to choose their favourite books, supports Canadian authors, and celebrates a love of reading through an electrifying festival experience. Perfect for educators, librarians, and parents alike, this is your inside guide to inspiring the next generation of readers.
More Than a Scare - How "Haunted Canada: Four Terrifying Tales" Sparks Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Literacy
Spine-tingling tales meet powerful learning tools in Haunted Canada: Four Terrifying Tales, a graphic novel that brings Canadian ghost stories to life while sparking imagination and literacy in young readers. We chat with author Joel A. Sutherland about the creative process, the value of spooky storytelling, and how eerie legends can become unforgettable educational experiences.
Helping Children Navigate Change, Complex Emotions, and Build Resilience in If You See a Bluebird by Bahram Rahman
Picture books like If You See a Bluebird by Bahram Rahman open the door to important conversations with children about change, emotional growth, and resilience. Nominated for the 2025 Blue Spruce Award, this tender story follows a boy’s journey as he adjusts to a new home while longing for the one he left behind. In our exclusive interview, Rahman shares how stories can help children express big emotions and develop empathy.