3 Simple Ways to Sneak Reading With Your Child Into Your Busy Day (Without Adding Extra Time — #3 May Surprise You!)

Reading is one of the most powerful tools you have to support your child’s early learning—and it doesn’t have to take extra time or effort!

Daily reading helps develop language, literacy, and even early math skills. But beyond academics, reading together also builds emotional connection, boosts imagination, and even creates moments of calm in an otherwise busy day--and you know we need more of those!

Still thinking, “I just don’t have time to read”?

Good news: You do. You just need to sneak it into the moments you already share with your child.

Here are 3 easy, everyday ways to make reading happen—even if you’re busy—and the third one might surprise you!

1. In the Car

Read—and relax—on the go.

If you’re like most parents, you spend a good chunk of the day driving—school drop-offs, errands, appointments. These car rides are the perfect chance to sneak in reading time without adding anything extra to your schedule.

Here’s how:

• Hand your child a board book, picture book, or early reader--instead of a tablet or phone!

  
  

• Play a read-aloud audiobook or YouTube story of a book that they know or can follow along with.

  
  

• Have older kids read aloud to you, turning the drive into a bonding and learning moment--just remember to put your phone and music down too!

  
  

Bonus benefit:

Reading during car rides can create a few minutes of peace and quiet—especially helpful after a long or overstimulating day. Instead of chaos or screen time, your child can settle into the story world.

2. Before Bed

5–10 minutes is all it takes.

Even on the most exhausting days, there’s one thing every parent eventually has to do: put the kids to bed. And bedtime, no matter how late it is, can always make room for a short reading routine.

You might think you don’t have the time—but you probably do.

Carving out just 5 or 10 minutes at the end of the day for reading is easier than you think. It's not about how long you read—it's about how often.

• Read a short book, a poem, or even just look at pictures together.

  
  

• Let your child choose the book—it gives them a sense of ownership

  
  

• Make it a calming habit that helps them wind down and feel connected.

  
  

The benefits?

Better sleep, stronger emotional bonds, and a foundation for lifelong learning.

👉 Need free books? Check your local library or see if you're eligible for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library—a free book-a-month program for kids under 5.

3. In the Bathroom

Let’s be real: if you’re a parent, bathroom privacy is rare. But instead of fighting it, use those moments to build in easy, low-pressure reading time.

Whether your child is potty training, brushing teeth, or just keeping you company while you’re trying to use the bathroom, the bathroom can become an unexpected literacy hotspot.

Here are a few ways to make it work:

When Your Child is Reading Alone During Potty Time:

• Keep a small basket of books next to the potty chair or toilet. Board books, short picture books, or wipe-clean titles work best.

  
  

• Choose familiar books they’ve seen before—ones they can "read" independently using memory and pictures.

  
  

• Swap out the books every week or two to keep things fresh and interesting.

  
  

• Let them take the lead. This can be a quiet time to build book-handling skills and foster reading independence.

  
  

When Your Child Follows You Into the Bathroom (Yes, That Happens):

• Keep a couple of books handy on a nearby shelf—safe from toilet splashes! If they wander in, invite them to read to you or ask if they want to hear a page or two.

  
  

• Use it as a short and sweet interactive reading moment, even if it only lasts for 30 seconds.

  
  

• Let them point out numbers, colors, or familiar characters as you flip through.

  
  

• If you need a moment of peace, hand them a familiar book and let them "read" beside you while you pretend to have a solo bathroom break.

Final Thought: Reading Doesn’t Need to Be Perfect—It Just Needs to Happen

Reading with your child doesn’t have to be scheduled or serious.

It doesn’t need 30 quiet minutes or a special routine. It just needs you, a few spare minutes, and a book within arm’s reach.

✅ In the car for calm and focus

✅ Before bed for connection and consistency

✅ In the bathroom because, well… #parentlife

These moments might feel small—but they’re building something big: a strong, smart, curious child who sees reading as a natural (and fun!) part of life.

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