6 Toddler Bedtime Reading Tips Every Mom Needs to Hear
If you’ve ever ended “storytime” with three open books on the floor and zero idea how Goodnight Moon ends (again)...Welcome, you're among friends 😉
Reading with toddlers is a whole vibe, and it’s not always the Pinterest-perfect scene you imagined during pregnancy.
But here’s the truth: even the most chaotic story times are helping shape your little reader in big ways. It’s one of the best ways to build early literacy skills and bond with your child.
So if your toddler treats bedtime reading like a circus act, I’ve got you covered!
Here are 6 battle-tested tips for reading with toddlers when you're this close to hiding the books and turning on Paw Patrol.
Lower Your Expectations. No…Lower…Yep, There!
Bedtime reading with toddlers isn’t going to look picture-perfect, and that’s okay! Some nights, the book becomes a hat. Other nights, you’ll get halfway through a sentence before someone’s off doing somersaults. But guess what? Every silly second still counts. Your toddler is soaking up your voice, figuring out how books work (even upside down), and building bonds that matter more than finishing the story. Let’s normalize bedtime stories that end halfway through, get read backwards, or turn into an impromptu puppet show. Because honestly? If your toddler hears even one page, that’s a literacy win.
Remember…
Bedtime reading with toddlers isn’t about finishing the book, it’s about starting the habit!
2. Make It Routine, But Keep It Flexible
Routine helps toddlers feel secure, so if you can, make bedtime and the books that come with it a consistent part of the day. Kids thrive when they know what’s coming next, and a cozy story before bed can be the bridge between the chaos of the day and the calm of nighttime.
But (and it’s a big but) flexibility is key. Some nights, you’ll have a full, snuggly storytime with silly voices and a completely cooperative toddler. Other nights, you’ll barely make it through Where The Wild Things Are before someone melts down because their pajamas “feel weird.” And that’s okay! Showing up consistently matters more than doing it perfectly.
Here are a few tips to help storytime become a steady(ish) routine at bedtime.
Create a simple “storytime starter” - like brushing teeth, putting on pajamas, and picking out two books together.
Keep favorite books in easy reach - a small basket by the bed makes it feel natural, not like a production.
Stay flexible - if bedtime falls apart, reading a quick page or even telling a made-up story still counts.
Celebrate the wins - some nights will feel like a movie moment while others will feel like survival. Both are good parenting 💛
The goal isn’t nailing a perfect storytime. It’s building a love of books in the middle of real, messy life.
3. Let Them Lead the Way
Toddlers are tiny tyrants with VERY strong opinions, and most of the time, we’re working hard to teach them they can’t always get their way. But when it comes to reading, letting them take the lead is actually a win.
So let your toddler pick the book, even if you’ve already read it 87 times.
If they want The Very Hungry Caterpillar for the 11th time today, so be it. Want to read it backwards? Sure. Want to read it while balancing on the back of the couch dressed as Spider-Man? Fine.
Giving your child the power to choose increases engagement. It’s also a huge part of developing toddler reading independence…yes, even if they’re still in diapers.
The more control they feel, the more fun they’ll have. Reading becomes an adventure they get to direct, and that means they’ll keep coming back for more.
And here’s the best part: as they grow, all these wild, wiggly moments will eventually turn into cozy, quiet reading sessions (promise!).
Mom Hack
Keep a low shelf or basket filled with books you’re happy to read (aka the “yes pile”) that your toddler can reach anytime. Rotate the selection every so often to keep it feeling fresh.
4. Embrace the Chaos
The flashlight under the blanket. The toddler who insists the dog needs a turn reading. The baby doll that needs to turn the pages. These aren’t distractions, they’re part of the magic of raising a reader.
Storytime doesn’t have to be quiet or perfectly on-script to be valuable. Every silly voice, every wiggle, every totally unexpected detour is teaching your little one that reading is something joyful, not just educational.
So when the chaos creeps in (and it will), lean into it:
Let them interrupt - Toddlers process stories out loud, so it’s okay if they need to add their own commentary mid-page.
Answer their questions - Even if it's the 7th time they’ve asked why the bear is wearing pants.
Let them be the storyteller - Take turns making up new adventures for favorite characters.
Go off-script - If they want that silly Caterpillar to eat tacos instead of apples, why not?
Let them move - Wiggly bodies can still be listening. Reading isn’t ruined just because they’re somersaulting mid-story.
Every bedtime story with your kiddo is showing them that stories and the time spent together matter, even when things get a little loud.
5. Don’t Worry About the Words
Some nights, your toddler will sit wide-eyed and hang on every word. Other nights, they’ll flip through pages at warp speed while you scramble to keep up. Don’t worry! That’s all part of how they build their own love of books.
The words you’re reading matter less than the experience you’re building. Even if it feels like they aren’t paying attention, they are. Children notice details we often miss: the tiny mouse hiding on every page, the funny face in the corner, the color of a character’s shoes. Following their curiosity builds real engagement, even when the story takes a few detours.
Talking about the pictures, skipping pages when needed, summarizing the longer text…it all counts! Because at the end of the day, books aren’t just about reading, they’re about bonding, no matter what it looks like.
6. Make Every Moment a Reading Opportunity
Storytime doesn’t have to happen in a cozy chair with a blanket and a lullaby (although that’s lovely when it does!). It can happen in the grocery line, during a potty break, or while waiting at the doctor’s office.
The more books are woven into your child's everyday life, the easier and more natural it will feel for them to settle down with a story at bedtime.
So keep a book in your diaper bag. Toss a few in the car. Let them flip through pages while you’re making dinner or folding laundry. Celebrate the times they "read" to you, even if it’s mostly babble. Every page they turn, every silly story they tell, every moment they spend with a book is laying the foundation for a lifelong love of reading.
⭐ Bonus Tip: Laugh About It Later
Write it down. Snap a picture. Jot a quick note in your phone (after storytime, of course)
You won’t remember every silly bedtime detail, but these glimpses of their imagination are worth saving.
Because someday, when bedtime gets quieter and they’re reading on their own, you’ll be so glad you captured the wild, wonderful way it all started.
And…
Looking for the perfect bedtime stories to go with your bedtime routine? Check out our list of 15 Best Bedtime Books for Toddlers that help little ones wind down, snuggle up, and actually look forward to lights out.
