The internet offers an unprecedented wealth of resources designed to engage, educate, and excite young minds about the joys of reading and learning. However, navigating these resources can be daunting for parents and educators alike, especially when searching for quality online reading websites for kids. No worries, I have done the work!
I compiled for you some of the best online reading websites for kids. These are all platforms that I have repeatedly recommended to fellow teachers and educators here in Educators Technology. These websites offer a multitude of reading resources from interactive games that reinforce foundational literacy skills to platforms offering diverse libraries of digital books narrated by celebrated voices.
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Online Reading Websites for Kids
Here are some of our top picks for online reading websites for kids:
1. Epic
Epic offers a treasure trove of books perfectly suited for kids of all ages and reading levels. These books cover different topics including social-emotional learning (SEL), STEM, science, math, and history. What makes Epic truly unique is its variety of engaging formats – from graphic novels and motion comics to audiobooks and educational videos, there’s something to spark a love for reading in any child.
For those taking their first steps into the world of letters, Read-To-Me books offer a supportive hand, while chapter books present a challenge for more advanced readers. It’s also a multilingual haven, with a selection of books and videos in Spanish, French, and Chinese, making it a globally inclusive platform for young readers.
2. Starfall
Starfall emerged from Dr. Stephen Schutz’s personal challenges with dyslexia, blossoming into an interactive haven designed to ease the journey of learning to read. Launched in 2002, Starfall offers a wide range of untimed, multisensory interactive games that blend sight, sound, and touch to foster learning, making it a delightful alternative to the passive entertainment options available to children.
Focused on English language arts and mathematics for preschool to fifth grade, Starfall’s activities are grounded in research and aligned with educational standards. Its unique approach is especially beneficial for emergent readers, children with special needs, and ELL students. While the core content is free, a low-cost membership unlocks a plethora of additional resources, supporting the creation of new educational materials.
3. ReadWorks
ReadWorks is another powerful online reading website for kids. ReadWorks is dedicated to enhancing children’s reading comprehension through a carefully curated selection of high-quality, engaging reading materials. The platform also features a vast library of texts across various genres and topics, all supported by evidence-based instructional strategies.
Its key features include building background knowledge, expanding vocabularies, and strengthening strategic reading skills, making it an invaluable resource for educators and students alike. With content tailored to different reading levels and interests, ReadWorks offers an accessible, impactful, and completely free tool to support the reading development journey of young learners, fostering both academic success and a lifelong love of reading.
4. Reading Rockets
Reading Rockets offers a wealth of free resources aimed at demystifying the process of teaching kids to read, especially those who face challenges in their learning journey. This website is a goldmine of information, featuring articles, strategies, videos, and tips for parents and educators, all designed to support the development of proficient readers and writers.
Its initiative, Reading 101, is a self-paced course for teachers up to grade 3, focusing on essential reading and writing strategies. Beyond the classroom, Reading Rockets utilizes public TV to engage parents and educators, showcasing ways to support children’s reading development through its Launching Young Readers series. The project is backed by a panel of leading researchers, ensuring that its resources are both credible and effective.
5. Storyline Online
Storyline Online is a unique online resource where children can listen to stories read aloud by celebrated actors. The platform enriches children’s lives by bringing together the magic of storytelling with the charm of beloved figures like Oprah Winfrey, Chris Pine, and Viola Davis. Each story is accompanied by creative illustrations, enhancing the listening and viewing experience.
Storyline Online is utilized by educators in classrooms and medical professionals in children’s hospitals to promote literacy and a lifelong love of reading. The platform also offers curriculum designed by credentialed educators to support English-language learners, making it a comprehensive tool for improving comprehension and verbal skills.
6. Storynory
Since its inception in November 2005, Storynory has become one of the largest archives of kids free audio stories. Storynory’ s approach to storytelling is reminiscent of traditional storytelling, focusing on the power of words to ignite the imagination. The content ranges from fairy tales and classics to original stories and factual programming, all aimed at stimulating curiosity and critical thinking. The voices behind Storynory, including professional actors with impressive backgrounds, bring each story to life, making it a cherished resource for families seeking high-quality audio entertainment and education.
7. Newsela
Launched in 2013, Newsela has quickly established itself as a transformative educational tool, offering news and content at five different reading levels to cater to the diverse needs of students. Newsela stands out for its ability to connect classroom learning with the real world, making education more meaningful for students. With a suite of products that includes quizzes, writing prompts, and subject-specific resources, Newsela empowers teachers and students with tools to build knowledge and skills, supported by real-time data and insights from Formative, its assessment platform.
8. Reading Eggs
Reading Eggs is an award-winning early learning resource created by experienced educators. The platform combines online reading games and activities that are self-paced, engaging, and designed to support a child’s reading journey from the ground up. By leveraging the five essential keys to reading success, Reading Eggs offers a comprehensive approach to learning that is both fun and effective.
The program includes a vast library of over 3000 online books, interactive lessons, and rewards that motivate children to keep progressing. Parents and educators can track progress through detailed reports and access supplemental materials to extend learning beyond the screen. Available in different English dialects, Reading Eggs makes reading accessible and enjoyable for children worldwide.
9. ReadTheory
ReadTheory offers a personalized approach to improving reading comprehension for students of all ages, from K-12 to ESL learners. The platform’s adaptive technology ensures that each student receives reading exercises tailored to their individual level, making it an effective tool for enhancing reading skills.
With an easy-to-use interface, ReadTheory simplifies the process for educators, allowing them to implement the program quickly and efficiently. The engaging and interactive nature of the exercises, along with the opportunity for classroom competitions, keeps students motivated and invested in their learning.
1o. Oxford Owl
Oxford Owl is a good platform for parents and educators seeking to bolster children’s learning from home to the classroom. With its roots in the prestigious Oxford University Press, this award-winning website offers a treasure trove of resources designed to support the primary curriculum.
For parents, Oxford Owl for Home is a dedicated space filled with insights into reading, English, and maths, curated by leading educational experts. It stands as a guide through the maze of primary education, offering advice, activities, and tips to help your child thrive academically. Whether it’s tackling a new reading level or demystifying a complex math problem, Oxford Owl equips parents with the necessary tools to be active participants in their child’s educational journey.
11. ABCya Reading Games
ABCya offers a fun-filled landscape where fundamental reading and writing skills are the order of the day. Through a wide array of literacy games, children are engaged in exercises that span from phonics and sight words to advanced sentence structures and punctuation. Each game is crafted to make English learning enjoyable and effective, ensuring that students not only learn but also love the process.
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Final thoughts
In conclusion, the journey through the world of online reading websites for kids unveils a landscape rich with opportunities for learning and growth. Platforms like Epic, Starfall, ReadWorks, and Storyline Online, among others provide not just stories, but gateways to new worlds, fostering a lifelong love for reading and learning.
Oxford Owl and ABCya reading games further demonstrate the power of tailored educational content, ensuring that every child, regardless of their learning stage or style, can access high-quality, engaging, and effective literacy resources. As parents, educators, and caregivers, embracing these tools means offering our children a diverse and robust foundation for their educational journey.
