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15 Reading Tools for Kids Who Are Learning to Read (Homeschool Favorites That Actually Help)

  • Aug 14
  • 7 min read

Learning to read is one of those things that can look completely different from child to child.


One kid might know every letter sound but struggle to put those sounds together.


Another can read the entire page but has absolutely no idea what they just read. 😂 And sometimes they can read—they just don’t want to.



That’s why I’m a big fan of having a few different reading tools available instead of relying on worksheets for everything.


Whether you’re homeschooling, supplementing what your child is learning at school, or building a simple reading station at home, these are some of the reading tools I’d actually consider buying.


The goal isn’t to buy everything on this list.


It’s to figure out where your child needs support and choose tools that help with that specific skill.


If Your Child Knows Letter Sounds But Can’t Blend Words…

Knowing that C says /c/, A says /a/ and T says /t/ is one thing.


Putting those sounds together and realizing they make CAT is another skill completely.


These tools can make blending much more hands-on.


1. Magnetic Letters

Magnetic letters are one of those inexpensive homeschool supplies you can use over and over again.


Instead of only looking at the word CAT, your child can physically build it:

C + A + T

Then switch one letter:

C + A + P

M + A + P

M + O + P


You’re practicing phonics, spelling and word families all at once.


Best for: Letter sounds, CVC words, spelling and word families.


2. Phonics or Word-Building Tiles

Once your child understands individual letters, phonics tiles can help introduce more complicated sound combinations.


Look for sets that include things like:

sh • ch • th • ee • oa • ai


Being able to physically move sounds around can make phonics much easier to understand than simply memorizing a list.


Best for: Blending, digraphs, vowel teams and spelling.


3. CVC Word-Building Cards

CVC cards usually give kids a picture and letters they can manipulate to build the matching word.


For example:

🐷 PIG

🐱 CAT

☀️ SUN


They’re especially helpful when your child is transitioning from knowing sounds to actually reading words.


Best for: Beginning readers and hands-on phonics practice.


If Sight Words Are the Struggle…

Some words show up constantly when kids begin reading.


Instead of turning sight-word practice into another worksheet, I prefer making it something we can practice for just a few minutes at a time.


4. Sight Word Flash Cards

Flash cards don’t need to mean sitting at the table drilling words for 30 minutes.


Keep it short.


Pick five words.


Practice them.


Then turn them into a game.


You can hide the cards around the room, play a matching game or have your child find the word you’re calling out.


Best for: Building automatic word recognition.


5. Sight Word Sentence Cards

Recognizing a word by itself is great.


Recognizing it inside an actual sentence is even better.


Sentence cards give kids the opportunity to practice sight words in context instead of memorizing isolated words.


Best for: Beginning reading, sight words and sentence fluency.


If Your Child Loses Their Place While Reading…

This is such a simple problem that can make reading feel much harder than it actually is.


6. Reading Highlight Strips

Reading strips help your child focus on one line of text at a time.


Instead of seeing an entire page of words, they can concentrate on the sentence they’re currently reading.


They’re inexpensive, reusable and easy to throw into your homeschool cart.


Best for: Tracking, focus and early readers.


7. Reading Finger Pointers

Sometimes kids just need something fun.


A reading pointer lets them follow each word while they’re reading without constantly losing their spot.


You can also use it during read-alouds, morning basket time or lessons.


Best for: Word tracking and making reading practice interactive.


If Your Child Can Read But Reads VERY Slowly…

This is where I’d start working on fluency.


Fluency isn’t about rushing through a book.


It’s helping kids read accurately and smoothly enough that they’re able to concentrate on what the words actually mean.


8. Reading Fluency Cards

Fluency cards usually contain short sentences or passages that children can practice multiple times.


Instead of handing them an entire book, you’re giving them a manageable amount of text.


Read it once.


Practice tricky words.


Read it again.


Celebrate the improvement.


Best for: Reading speed, accuracy and confidence.


9. Phrase Reading Cards

Instead of reading:

The / little / dog / ran / down / the / street.


We want children to eventually recognize natural phrases:

The little dog / ran down the street.


Phrase cards help children move away from reading every single word individually.


Best for: Fluency and natural reading rhythm.


If They Read the Page But Can’t Tell You What Happened…

Reading the words isn’t the entire goal.

We want our kids to understand them too.

10. Reading Comprehension Cards

Comprehension cards usually include a short passage followed by questions.


For younger children, I especially like questions such as:

Who was the story about?

Where did it happen?

What happened first?

What was the problem?

How was the problem solved?

You can even ask the questions verbally instead of requiring your child to write every answer.


Best for: Reading comprehension and narration.


11. Story Retelling Cards

These are one of my favorite concepts because they help children organize what they’ve read.


Cards might include:

Character

Setting

Beginning

Problem

Solution

Ending

After reading a book together, choose a few cards and talk about them.

Now you’re practicing comprehension without another worksheet.


Best for: Story comprehension and sequencing.


If Your Child CAN Read…But Doesn’t Want To

This one is different.

Sometimes the issue isn’t ability.

It’s interest.

And I’m completely okay with using a child’s interests to get them reading.

12. High-Interest Early Reader Books

Dinosaurs?

Buy dinosaur books.

PokĂŠmon?

Find PokĂŠmon books.

Animals?

Grab animal books.

Space?

Space books it is.


Reading practice is still reading practice.


If your child willingly reads five pages about something they love, that’s a win in my book.

Best for: Reluctant readers and independent reading.


13. Reading Tracker or Reward Chart

Some kids LOVE seeing their progress.


Instead of only tracking the number of books completed, you could track:

📚 Days we read

⏰ Minutes spent reading

⭐ New words learned

📖 Chapters completed


You don’t necessarily need a huge prize either.


Sometimes filling in another square or adding another sticker is enough motivation.


Best for: Building a consistent reading habit.


14. A Cozy Reading Pillow or Lap Desk

Does your child have to read sitting perfectly upright at a desk?


Absolutely not.


Let them read on the couch.

On the floor.

Outside.

In a blanket fort.

Or curled up in a reading corner.

A comfortable reading pillow or lap desk can help create a space that makes independent reading feel different from regular schoolwork.


Best for: Independent reading and creating a cozy homeschool environment.


15. Book Bins

This might sound like an organization product, but I actually think book bins can help encourage independent reading.


Instead of having every book your child owns sitting on one giant bookshelf, create smaller collections.


You could have:

Books I Can Read Myself

Books We Read Together

Funny Books

Animal Books

Science Books

Books I Want to Read Next


Suddenly your child isn’t staring at 100 books trying to decide what to read.


They’re choosing from a manageable little collection.


Best for: Homeschool organization and independent reading.


If I Were Building an At-Home Reading Kit, I’d Buy These 5 First

You definitely don’t need all 15 products.

If I were starting from scratch, I’d prioritize:

1. Magnetic Letters

They’re inexpensive and can be used for letter sounds, blending, spelling and word families.


2. Phonics/Word-Building Tiles

These give you somewhere to go once basic CVC words become too easy.

3. Reading Highlight Strips

Simple, inexpensive and useful during everyday reading.


4. Reading Comprehension or Story Retelling Cards

Because learning to read isn’t only about saying the words correctly.

5. High-Interest Books

This might actually be the most important one.


Give your child something they want to read.


Try This Simple 20-Minute Reading Routine

You don’t need an hour-long reading lesson every day.


For younger elementary students, try:

5 Minutes — Phonics

Build words with magnetic letters or phonics tiles.

10 Minutes — Read

Let your child read a short book, passage or several pages from a book they enjoy.

5 Minutes — Talk About It

Ask:

Who was it about?

What happened?

What was your favorite part?

What do you think will happen next?

That’s phonics + reading + comprehension in about 20 minutes.


Mama’s Thoughts 💌: Don’t Buy Every Reading Tool—Figure Out the Problem First

This is probably my biggest takeaway.

If your child struggles with reading, buying another giant workbook isn’t automatically going to fix it.

First ask:

What part of reading is actually difficult?

Is it letter sounds?

Blending?

Sight words?

Fluency?

Comprehension?

Or do they simply have zero interest in the books they’re being asked to read?


Once you identify the problem, it’s much easier to choose a tool that actually makes sense.


And sometimes something as simple as magnetic letters, a reading strip or a book about their favorite character can completely change the mood of your reading lesson.


More Homeschool Favorites From Know Mom Life

If you’re building your homeschool setup, you may also like:



I’ll continue sharing the homeschool tools, activities and resources that actually make our days easier—without making you feel like you need to buy an entire classroom to homeschool successfully.

 
 
 

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