• Pick a Book You Enjoy – Choose a topic or genre that excites you, whether it's fantasy, mystery, or comics. Reading should feel fun, not like homework.​

• Set a Specific Time – Make it a daily habit by reading before bed, after school, or during a break. Consistency helps you build the habit of reading daily.​

• Start Small – You don’t have to finish a chapter every time. Even a few pages count, and soon, you’ll want to read more.​

• Limit Distractions – Put your phone on silent and find a quiet spot. This makes it easier to focus and enjoy the story.​

• Use E-books or Magazines– If holding a book feels like a chore, read on a phone or tablet to read an eBook or Digital magazine (could VLeBooks or Libby available via Wiltshire Libraries) .​

• Track Your Progress – Use a reading app, journal, or checklist to see how many days in a row you’ve read. It’s satisfying and keeps you motivated! 

• Makes Boring Tasks Fun – Listening while doing chores, exercising, or commuting turns dull activities into engaging ones.​

• Boosts Learning & Knowledge – You can absorb new information, stories, or skills without needing extra time in your day.​

• Improves Focus & Multitasking – Helps train your brain to focus on audio while doing simple tasks, improves your concentration.​

• Reduces Screen Time – Gives your eyes a break from screens whilst also keeping you entertained or informed.​

• Enhances Vocabulary & Listening Skills – Hearing new words in context improves language skills without the effort of reading.​

• Relaxes & Reduces Stress – A good story or calming voice can help you unwind, whether before bed or during a busy day.

• Morning Boost – Read a few pages while eating breakfast to start the day with a fresh mindset.​

• Before Bed Routine – Swap 10 minutes of phone time for reading to relax and improve sleep.​

• After School Reset – Unwind with a book before diving into homework.​

• Workout or Walk Companion – Listen to an audiobook while exercising or walking the dog.​

• Screen Time Swap – Trade a few minutes of social media or gaming for reading to balance entertainment and learning.​

• Waiting Time Filler – Read while waiting for a ride, in between activities, riding on the bus or during solo meals.

• Ask About Their Favorites – Start by asking what books they love and why. Their excitement might make you interested too!​

• Share Your Interests – Tell them what genres, topics, or themes you enjoy so they can suggest books that match your taste.​

• Join a Book Club or Group – Participate in school or community book clubs to discover popular recommendations from different people.​

• Visit the Library and Ask the Librarian – Librarians are experts at finding books based on your reading level and interests.​

• Discuss Books with Friends – Talk about books your friends are reading, trade recommendations, or even swap books.​

• Ask for Age-Appropriate Reads – Family members and teachers can suggest books that challenge you while still being enjoyable.

• Mood Reading: This means choosing a book based on how you’re feeling at the moment.​

• Why Try It? Reading something that matches your mood can make the experience more enjoyable and relatable.​

• Ask a Friend: Your friends might know great books that fit your mood—whether you're happy, sad, excited, or even feeling adventurous!​

• Discover New Books: You might find a new favorite book you wouldn’t have picked yourself.​

• Change Your Mood: Sometimes, reading a book that matches your feelings can help you process emotions or even improve your mood.​

• Give It a Try! The next time you need a book, ask a friend for a recommendation that fits your feelings!

1. BBC Sounds Podcasts Page for Children: The following page includes a range of podcasts for children of all ages, created by the BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/category/childrens

2. Brains On! is a science podcast for curious kids and families that answers fascinating questions about the world through fun experiments, expert interviews, and interactive segments. Each episode features a kid co-host and encourages listeners to explore science with creativity and wonder. https://brainson.org/

3. Bust or Trust is a weekly mystery podcast for kids aged 8–12, hosted by comedian duo Tiernan Douieb (“Myth Truster”) and Athena Kugblenu (“Myth Buster”), where young listeners act as “Chief Detectives” to evaluate evidence and decide whether famous myths—like Big Foot or the Lost City of Atlantis—are true or false. The show combines fun facts and silly jokes with a structured exploration of evidence, helping children develop critical thinking and debating skills in a playful, engaging way. https://bustortrust.com/

4. Fierce Girls is a podcast all about women throughout history and how their actions, campaigns and talents changed the world. Fierce Girls is not just a podcast for the ladies either, anyone will be interested in listening to stories about passionate and talented women from all walks of life and many different cultures. Fierce Girls offers a history lesson like no other. From Bindi Irwin, and Jackie French to Dr Abigail Allwood there are a huge range of inspirational stories about inspiring women to choose from. https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/fierce-girls/ 

5. Football for Kids Football for Kids is a weekly, audio-only podcast hosted by Darren Rees that brings the world of football to young fans through fun stories, fascinating facts, and player insights. Each episode—designed for kids aged 6–12 —aims to provide an immersive, educational listening experience that sparks a love of the beautiful game. https://www.patreon.com/Footballforkids

6. Fun Kids Story Quest: This podcast series from Fun Kids – the UK’s radio station for children – features stories that are perfect for children and families of all ages. Listen in the car, chilling at home or before bedtime. Fun Kids also have a range of other podcasts about things your child might be interested in, from science and space to comedy and sports. https://www.funkidslive.com/podcasts/storyquest/

7. Girls Make Beats is a teen-led podcast hosted by young DJs DJ MAK10, MK The Boss, and Sparkle that offers a safe, girl-powered space for discussions on music, school, creativity, fashion, food, current events, and more. Each episode features interviews with female artists and influencers, blending passion, empowerment, and fun conversation for a fresh perspective on topics that matter to young audiences https://www.girlsmakebeats.org/podcast

8. Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls: Following on from the bestselling book, this podcast highlights stories about extraordinary and brilliant women from the worlds of politics, sports, arts and so much more. The stories are narrated in short and snappy 20 minute episodes. https://www.rebelgirls.com/podcast

9. Greeking Out is a family-friendly podcast from National Geographic Kids that narrates captivating retellings of ancient Greek myths—complete with gods, monsters, and epic heroes—decoded through engaging storytelling and fun historical tidbits. Hosted by Kenny Curtis alongside the playful "Oracle of Wifi" (Tori Kerr), each episode blends mythic drama with insider facts to bring Greek mythology to life for young audiences and their families. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/podcasts/greeking-out 

10. Radiolab for Kids: Great for curious families. This podcasts features child-friendly episodes from a long-running American podcast and radio series, exploring everything from the music of animals to the speed of thought. https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab-kids

11. Smash Boom Best Smash Boom Best is a funny, smart debate show for kids and families from the Brains On Universe. Every episode takes two cool things, smashes them together and lets you decide which is best: Pikachu vs. Mario, Lollipops vs. Popcorn, Flamingos vs. Axolotls, Mermaids vs. Bigfoot, Cats vs. Dogs, Spiderman vs. Batman, Refrigerators vs. Toilets, Minecraft vs. Lego… the list goes on. Our star-studded line-up of debaters use facts and passion to make their case, teaching listeners how to defend their opinions along the way! https://brainson.org/smash-boom-best

12. Story Seeds is a Webby‑nominated podcast for kids aged 6–12 where young creators pitch story “seeds” and then collaborate with bestselling authors to grow them into original, imaginative tales that are later read aloud. Hosted by librarian and author Betsy Bird with a theme by Grammy‑nominated Andrew VanWyngarden, the show celebrates creativity, diverse voices, and the storytelling process in every episode.  https://www.storyseedspodcast.com/

13. The Creeping Hour: A brand new horror-themed podcast perfect for Goosebumps fans. It is suitable for all ages, especially children aged 8-12, and for families to enjoy together. Perhaps not one to listen to in the dark! https://www.wgbh.org/podcasts/the-creeping-hour

14. The Week Junior Show: This podcast takes you behind the scenes of the award-winning magazine for 8 to 14-year-olds. Each week, Bex from Fun Kids is joined by members of The Week Junior team to discuss their favourite stories, debate the week’s hot topic and discover whether the ‘Real or Rubbish?’ report is fake news or the real deal. https://omny.fm/shows/the-week-junior-show/playlists/podcast

15. This Teenage Life a specific podcast made by teens for teens, focusing on their stories, ideas, and perspectives on growing up, offering connection and relatability. https://www.thisteenagelife.org/

16. Tumble is a science podcast for children or for the whole family to enjoy. This podcast tells stories of wonderful scientific discoveries with the help of real-life scientists. Everything is explained in a simple and easy to understand way. Perfect for children who are interested in science and how it emphasises the world around them. Tumble also features some science experiments for children to try out themselves. Open a child’s eyes to the wonderful world they live in with Tumble. https://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/

17. Wow in the World is a science and curiosity podcast for kids that explores amazing facts, discoveries, and mind-blowing ideas about the world around us. Hosted by Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas, each episode mixes humor, storytelling, and real science to spark wonder and learning in young listeners. https://tinkercast.com/all-podcasts/wow-in-the-world/

18. You’re Dead to Me: BBC "comedy podcast for people who don't like history," where a host, a historian, and a comedian discuss historical figures in an accessible, humorous way. (13+): https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p07mdbhg 

BookTrust Bookfinder is a free online tool that helps you find great books to read. You can search by age, genre, or topic to discover stories that match your interests and reading level.

Books for Keeps is a fantastic resource for students, offering reviews, recommendations, and insights into children’s and young adult literature. It helps young readers discover new stories, develop a love for reading, and stay connected with the latest in the world of books.