Making Reading Fun: Interactive Storytelling Ideas for Toddlers
Turning storytime into a giggle-filled, hands-on adventure
Friday, July 18, 2025
Friday, July 18, 2025
Reading with a toddler can be magical… or it can feel like you’re trying to narrate War and Peace to a baby squirrel on espresso. Their attention span is short, their curiosity is boundless, and they’re experts at wriggling away just when you reach the good part.
But here’s the secret: the more interactive you make storytime, the more your toddler will lean in instead of squirm away. When books become a game, reading transforms from a quiet “sit and listen” moment into a shared adventure you both look forward to.
Let’s explore some playful ways to make reading fun and keep your little one engaged from cover to cover.
Dramatic Reading Techniques: Become the Star of the Show
Toddlers are captivated by energy and expression. You don’t have to be a professional actor—just lean into your natural silliness:
Silly voices: Give every character their own voice. Maybe the lion has a slow, rumbly growl, while the mouse squeaks in a high pitch.
Sound effects: Add your own “whooshes,” “bangs,” and “splashes” to bring scenes to life.
Facial expressions: Wide eyes for surprise, exaggerated frowns for grumpy characters—toddlers love visual cues.
Think of yourself as the one-person theater troupe your toddler didn’t know they needed.
Props & Puppets: Bring the Characters to Life
A soft bunny, a hand puppet, or even a sock with googly eyes can turn storytime into an interactive playdate.
Match characters to toys: If you’re reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar, have a caterpillar plush to “eat” pretend food.
Use props for actions: A scarf becomes the wind, a pot becomes a drum.
Encourage participation: Hand your toddler the puppet to “talk” during the story.
When children see the story unfolding physically in front of them, their engagement skyrockets.
Interactive Book Formats: Built-In Fun
Some books are practically begging to be played with. Keep a few interactive favorites in your reading rotation:
Lift-the-flap books: Surprise reveals keep toddlers curious about what’s next.
Touch-and-feel books: Different textures spark sensory exploration.
Pull-tab or pop-up books: Moving parts make the story feel alive.
These formats turn reading into a multi-sensory experience—perfect for little learners who love to explore with their hands.
Toddler Participation: Make Them the Co-Author
Toddlers love to “help,” so give them small roles in the story:
Finish the rhyme: Pause and let them guess the last word.
Point to pictures: Ask them to find the dog, the red ball, or the moon.
Make choices: “Should the bear go into the cave or the forest?”
The more they contribute, the more invested they become. Before you know it, they’ll be “reading” their favorite books to you from memory.
Turning Your Story into Their Story
At Once Upon A Memory, we believe the most magical books are the ones that feature your child as the hero. Imagine their delight when they flip the page and see their name, favorite toy, or even your family pet woven into the adventure. Personalized stories aren’t just fun—they’re unforgettable keepsakes that make reading irresistible.
Let’s make storytime the highlight of your toddler’s day. Grab a favorite book, add a dash of drama, a sprinkle of props, and a whole lot of laughter—and watch their love of reading bloom.
Reading with a toddler can be magical… or it can feel like you’re trying to narrate War and Peace to a baby squirrel on espresso. Their attention span is short, their curiosity is boundless, and they’re experts at wriggling away just when you reach the good part.
But here’s the secret: the more interactive you make storytime, the more your toddler will lean in instead of squirm away. When books become a game, reading transforms from a quiet “sit and listen” moment into a shared adventure you both look forward to.
Let’s explore some playful ways to make reading fun and keep your little one engaged from cover to cover.
Dramatic Reading Techniques: Become the Star of the Show
Toddlers are captivated by energy and expression. You don’t have to be a professional actor—just lean into your natural silliness:
Silly voices: Give every character their own voice. Maybe the lion has a slow, rumbly growl, while the mouse squeaks in a high pitch.
Sound effects: Add your own “whooshes,” “bangs,” and “splashes” to bring scenes to life.
Facial expressions: Wide eyes for surprise, exaggerated frowns for grumpy characters—toddlers love visual cues.
Think of yourself as the one-person theater troupe your toddler didn’t know they needed.
Props & Puppets: Bring the Characters to Life
A soft bunny, a hand puppet, or even a sock with googly eyes can turn storytime into an interactive playdate.
Match characters to toys: If you’re reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar, have a caterpillar plush to “eat” pretend food.
Use props for actions: A scarf becomes the wind, a pot becomes a drum.
Encourage participation: Hand your toddler the puppet to “talk” during the story.
When children see the story unfolding physically in front of them, their engagement skyrockets.
Interactive Book Formats: Built-In Fun
Some books are practically begging to be played with. Keep a few interactive favorites in your reading rotation:
Lift-the-flap books: Surprise reveals keep toddlers curious about what’s next.
Touch-and-feel books: Different textures spark sensory exploration.
Pull-tab or pop-up books: Moving parts make the story feel alive.
These formats turn reading into a multi-sensory experience—perfect for little learners who love to explore with their hands.
Toddler Participation: Make Them the Co-Author
Toddlers love to “help,” so give them small roles in the story:
Finish the rhyme: Pause and let them guess the last word.
Point to pictures: Ask them to find the dog, the red ball, or the moon.
Make choices: “Should the bear go into the cave or the forest?”
The more they contribute, the more invested they become. Before you know it, they’ll be “reading” their favorite books to you from memory.
Turning Your Story into Their Story
At Once Upon A Memory, we believe the most magical books are the ones that feature your child as the hero. Imagine their delight when they flip the page and see their name, favorite toy, or even your family pet woven into the adventure. Personalized stories aren’t just fun—they’re unforgettable keepsakes that make reading irresistible.
Let’s make storytime the highlight of your toddler’s day. Grab a favorite book, add a dash of drama, a sprinkle of props, and a whole lot of laughter—and watch their love of reading bloom.
Reading with a toddler can be magical… or it can feel like you’re trying to narrate War and Peace to a baby squirrel on espresso. Their attention span is short, their curiosity is boundless, and they’re experts at wriggling away just when you reach the good part.
But here’s the secret: the more interactive you make storytime, the more your toddler will lean in instead of squirm away. When books become a game, reading transforms from a quiet “sit and listen” moment into a shared adventure you both look forward to.
Let’s explore some playful ways to make reading fun and keep your little one engaged from cover to cover.
Dramatic Reading Techniques: Become the Star of the Show
Toddlers are captivated by energy and expression. You don’t have to be a professional actor—just lean into your natural silliness:
Silly voices: Give every character their own voice. Maybe the lion has a slow, rumbly growl, while the mouse squeaks in a high pitch.
Sound effects: Add your own “whooshes,” “bangs,” and “splashes” to bring scenes to life.
Facial expressions: Wide eyes for surprise, exaggerated frowns for grumpy characters—toddlers love visual cues.
Think of yourself as the one-person theater troupe your toddler didn’t know they needed.
Props & Puppets: Bring the Characters to Life
A soft bunny, a hand puppet, or even a sock with googly eyes can turn storytime into an interactive playdate.
Match characters to toys: If you’re reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar, have a caterpillar plush to “eat” pretend food.
Use props for actions: A scarf becomes the wind, a pot becomes a drum.
Encourage participation: Hand your toddler the puppet to “talk” during the story.
When children see the story unfolding physically in front of them, their engagement skyrockets.
Interactive Book Formats: Built-In Fun
Some books are practically begging to be played with. Keep a few interactive favorites in your reading rotation:
Lift-the-flap books: Surprise reveals keep toddlers curious about what’s next.
Touch-and-feel books: Different textures spark sensory exploration.
Pull-tab or pop-up books: Moving parts make the story feel alive.
These formats turn reading into a multi-sensory experience—perfect for little learners who love to explore with their hands.
Toddler Participation: Make Them the Co-Author
Toddlers love to “help,” so give them small roles in the story:
Finish the rhyme: Pause and let them guess the last word.
Point to pictures: Ask them to find the dog, the red ball, or the moon.
Make choices: “Should the bear go into the cave or the forest?”
The more they contribute, the more invested they become. Before you know it, they’ll be “reading” their favorite books to you from memory.
Turning Your Story into Their Story
At Once Upon A Memory, we believe the most magical books are the ones that feature your child as the hero. Imagine their delight when they flip the page and see their name, favorite toy, or even your family pet woven into the adventure. Personalized stories aren’t just fun—they’re unforgettable keepsakes that make reading irresistible.
Let’s make storytime the highlight of your toddler’s day. Grab a favorite book, add a dash of drama, a sprinkle of props, and a whole lot of laughter—and watch their love of reading bloom.
