The Magic of Story Time: Why Reading to Our Kids is More Powerful Than We Think

The moments you wish away one day and wish you could get back in the blink of an eye

I’ve read ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ more times than I can count. The characters in all the Peter Rabbit books feel like long-time friends. And our Winnie-the-Pooh books are worn-out favourites. As tiring and repetitive as reading can sometimes feel, reading to our children is one of the most powerful things we can do as parents.

It’s more than just a bedtime routine or an afternoon activity. It’s bonding that builds brains and shapes little hearts in ways that ripple through their entire lives.

When we read to our children, we’re not just telling stories. We’re growing vocabulary, strengthening memory and sparking imagination. We’re helping them make sense of the world and giving them the tools to express their own ideas, feelings, and dreams.

I still remember the belly laughs from making up funny voices and going off script, making up parts of the story. Asking “What do you think happens next?” takes reading to the next level, opening up worlds and inviting our kids to explore.

It doesn’t have to be fancy. Picture books, online stories, silly rhymes, dog-eared library finds, they all count. It’s not about the perfect book or the perfect setting; it’s about the shared moment. That 10, 15, or 30 minutes of undivided attention can be the calm in a chaotic day, the connection after a tantrum, the cuddle that says, “I’m here, and I love being with you.”

If you’re tired at the end of the day, swap a story for an audiobook and listen together. It’s still story-time and it’s still story-time snuggles.

If you're away from home and don't have a book with you, Kids Dream Stories provides stories on the go, accessible wherever there's internet. And let's face it, that's pretty much everywhere now.

The power of reading to our kids isn’t just in the pages. It’s in the love, the learning, and the lifelong memories we create together.

Kids Dream Stories is available online, giving you access to a story whenever you don’t have a book.