If the idea of starting a kids’ book club sounds both exciting and a little intimidating, you’re in good company. Many of us dream of gathering a small circle of young readers, sharing stories over cocoa and snacks, and watching friendships blossom through books. But we’re not quite sure where to begin.
The good news? You don’t need to be a teacher, a literature expert, or even an especially organized person to start a meaningful book club. You just need a love of stories and a willingness to create a space for connection and curiosity.
Your first book club doesn’t have to be elaborate. Invite just a few families or a handful of friends. Choose a short, engaging book or even a picture book for younger readers. Folk tales, classic chapter books, or seasonal stories are perfect places to start. They’re rich in imagination, easy to discuss, and appeal to a wide range of ages.
You might meet once a month (or every few weeks) for an hour or two. Keep it manageable so that the focus stays on enjoyment, not pressure.
Finding Families to Join
If you don’t already have a ready-made group of kids to invite, don’t worry. You can absolutely build one from scratch. This might take a little creativity and a willingness to get out of your comfort zone, but it’s worth it.
Start by thinking outside the box. Look for local Facebook groups for moms, homeschoolers, or family activities in your area. Post a friendly message to gauge interest. Ask if others have kids who love to read or if anyone had been looking for a low-pressure way to connect through books.
Once you’ve found a few interested families, consider creating your own Facebook group or group chat to plan together. This helps everyone collaborate on details like time, location, structure, book choices, and volunteer roles. Include as many people as show interested. Life gets busy. It’s completely normal for some families to drop out due to scheduling conflicts.
Over time, you’ll likely find a smaller core group of families who can commit to meet regularly. That consistency helps kids form friendships and keeps momentum going. Some groups even collect a small fee to cover snacks or supplies. Not as a barrier, but as a gentle way to encourage follow-through when life gets hectic.
Remember, flexibility is your friend. A kids’ book club doesn’t have to look the same every season or year. It can grow, shift, and adapt to fit your community.
Add a Dash of Fun
Kids’ book clubs thrive when reading feels like an experience. Think themed snacks, simple crafts, or a short activity tied to the story. A fairy tale meeting might include decorating crowns or acting out a favorite scene. A winter story could end with hot chocolate and a cozy blanket fort for group reading time.
Even a short science demonstration or a game of tag adapted to the theme of the story is a fun addition. Don’t worry about trying to make it feel academic. Kids’ book clubs are about making memories and fostering positive relationships with stories and friends. They will learn plenty just from the reading. The books will speak for themselves.
These small touches help stories come alive. And they remind kids that reading isn’t just something you do, it’s something you live.
Guide the Conversation (Lightly)
When it’s time to talk about a book, keep things conversational. Ask open-ended questions like:
- What part stuck with you the most?
- Did the story remind you of anything?
- What did you notice about a character’s actions? Why do you think they did that?
You don’t need to steer toward “right answers” at this stage. The goal is to help kids think, imagine, and connect. And in a book club, they can connect both to the story and to each other.
Make it About Connection, Not Perfection
Some meetings will be magical. Others might feel a bit chaotic. Someone will forget their book. Someone else will eat all the snacks before the discussion starts. The baby will be fussy, and the kids will be rambunctious. That’s ok! The real beauty of a kids’ book club lies in the togetherness. It’s in sharing stories and creating memories that root a lifelong love of reading.
Want a Simple Way to Begin?
If you’re looking for an easy, ready-to-go starting point, I’ve created Tinker Book Club resources and Reader’s Theater activities in my Teachers Pay Teachers store. These can be a good starting point for first-time book club leaders.
These printable packs include discussion guides, hands-on extensions, and folk tale reader’s theater scripts designed to help kids build confidence and reading fluency while having fun.
I first created these materials out of my own homeschooling experience–teaching a mix of strong and struggling readers. I discovered that familiar folk tales and simple repetitive dialogue helped even reluctant readers find their voice. And before long, our little “book club” had become the highlight of our homeschool week!
So go ahead. Pick a story, gather a few friends, and start small.
You might be surprised at how something so simple can spark so much joy.
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like 👉 How to Use Reader’s Theater to Build Fluency and Confidence.
Want to bring these stories to life in your home or classroom? Join the Tinker Book Club mailing list for free guides, discussion ideas, and book club printables.
Thanks for listening, friends!
