Free Reading Websites for Kids

Here’s a list of 10 free reading websites for kids! Download a free list of online reading sites to help your students practice reading at school or home!

I don’t know a teacher who doesn’t LOVE books!  In this time of school closures and distance learning, it is hard not having access to our leveled libraries, mentor texts, and all the books we normally rely on to help us teach about all different topics!  

It’s also hard to think of our students being limited to the books they have in their homes.  We want them to be able to listen to and read books that are appropriate for their level, engage them, and teach them new things!  

The good news is that even from afar, we CAN get access to such books! There are many great websites out there today providing wonderful literature to teachers and students!  

free reading websites for kids

So to help you out I’ve gathered a list of trusted sites that are offering online books, read alouds, and reading resources for FREE during this time. 

If you’d like, download this free list of reading websites to share with parents. I’ve linked each website so when they click the name it takes them right to the site!

free reading website list for kids

*If you are reading this post and we have already returned to school (hooray!!) then know that the following sites are great to use as a “listen to reading” literacy center.  

Take a look at what I’ve found…. 

Epic 

Grab unlimited access to over 40,000 ebooks, videos, quizzes and more!  Students can read to themselves or listen to books read aloud. The books are leveled so your students can make sure they’re reading a “just right” book and the titles they offer are AWESOME!  They are currently offering teachers FREE remote access for their class through June 30, 2020!

Storyline Online

Storyline Online streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading popular children’s books aloud. Readers include Oprah Winfrey, Kristen Bell, Rita Moreno, Viola Davis, Kevin Costner, Lily Tomlin, Sarah Silverman, Betty White, Wanda Sykes and lots more!  Each book comes with a helpful activity guide- all FOR FREE!  

Storytime from Space

This one is so cool!  While in space, astronauts videotape themselves reading books about science and space to the children of Earth!  Students will find it highly engaging and it’s very educational!  

Starfall

Starfall is a great website for beginning readers.  It allows them to explore letters and sounds, practice word recognition, reading comprehension and fluency. There is also a helpful parent-teacher center where you can download free customizable ELA practice sheets and more.  

Indianapolis Public Library

The Indianapolis Public Library has a wonderful collection of read-alouds and online activities for kids created and presented by popular children’s book authors and publishers.  In addition to listening to stories read aloud, children can get a sneak peak inside the studios and workspaces of these authors and learn how the words and illustrations in stories come to life.  Find these FREE activities by visiting the blog on the Library’s website, then go to the “For Parents” section and scroll to “Read Alouds and Author

Tumblebooks

Tumblebooks offers over 1,100 titles and includes animated talking picture books, chapter books, videos, non-fiction titles, graphic novels, playlists, and books in French and Spanish. You can also access their lesson plans, quizzes, educational games and puzzles related to literacy, comprehension, and language skills!  It’s a great site with high-quality resources!  Right now Tumblebooks is offering schools FREE access to their collections until August 31, 2020!

Pebble Go

Ideal for K-3rd grade readers, Pepple Go offers engaging non-fiction articles read aloud to students.  You can choose from over 1,000 articles across 5 different subject areas- animals, science, biographies, social studies and dinosaurs. It is available in both Spanish and English.  It’s very user-friendly for kids and they love it!  

Raz Kids 

For the rest of the school year, Raz Kids is offering FREE access to their digital library!  Here you’ll find hundreds of leveled books and corresponding quizzes offered at 29 levels of reading difficulty.  It’s a great site to help ensure students are reading books at their appropriate levels! 

Time for Kids 

Time for Kids is making it’s digital library FREE for the rest of the school year!  Along with the digital magazine, you’ll have access to corresponding instructional materials that are aligned to Common Core and state standards. They do a superb job providing kids with age-appropriate, high-quality information about the world around them!  

So while I know these websites can’t take the place of your wonderful classroom, school and public libraries, they can provide your students with access to literature they might otherwise not have during this time of school closures and at-home learning.  

And once we do get back to the classroom  (because WE WILL!) many of them will make for engaging literacy listening centers!  

So until then, be well and stay healthy! 

PIN for LATER

Looking for another way to promote reading with your students?

Take a look at this Adopt a Pet Reading Buddy Kit! Help get students EXCITED about reading AT HOME! Adopting a reading buddy builds RESPONSIBILITY and enthusiasm for reading! Students can choose a pet from home or one you offer to adopt! 

Digital & Printable Reading Resources for distance learning

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