Kids should learn at an early age reading is fun and the best way to do this is with story time. It can be fun for the whole family! Try incorporating story time programming either after school or during the week. There is no right or wrong way to have a story time. The biggest thing is to be flexible and know your audience. If the kids one day seem particularly wild then do more singing, dancing, and physical activity. If they are quiet or seem tired, then sit down, read, and do some drawing or craft activities, or even do a yoga themed story time.

On this page we have created three sections offering tips to plan and get started, resources for story time ideas, and options for story time when you don't have volunteers available.

1. Pick a Theme--A theme can help guide the Story Hour. There are lots of themes to choose from. It can be something simple like a letter, numbers, colors, etc. You can include the children in the theme selection with a brainstorming session. Volunteers can then select a theme from the ones the children generated. We have also provided some sources where your volunteers can find inspiration.

2. Once you have your theme picked out include different elements to round out the theme including:

1. Start off your story hour with a fun greeting. Greetings can be a song, games, or rhymes

2. Read the books you selected that relate to the theme.

3. Finish with a craft related to the theme.