Heidi Reina, M.S., Ed, is an educational technology integrator and teacher, reviewing free educational websites and apps.
The Best Free Reading Websites for Elementary Students
Children become fluent in reading with practice, practice, practice. As a teacher and educational technology integrator, I've used these free, engaging reading games to hold their attention and keep them motivated. They are among the best methods for turning the hard work of learning to read into play. You might introduce your child to these websites while school is out of session or as an after-school activity—or just for some educational fun at any time!
10 Free Sites to Help Kids Practice Reading
These 10 excellent sites for pre-K and elementary children are backed by a tremendous amount of research into how kids learn to read and how they become fluent readers.
- Between the Lions
- Starfall
- StoryPlace
- Storyline Online
- ReadWriteThink Student Interactives
- PBS Reading Games
- WordWorld
- Storynory
- OxfordOWL
- ABCya
What Software Do I Need?
Many of these games, activities, and videos can be played through your browser, so no special software is needed. Some of the websites require the Adobe Flash Player plug-in, though, which is free to download.
1. Between the Lions
Age Range: Preschool to 1st grade
Publisher: PBS
Format: Videos
Cost: Free
PBS LearningMedia hosts some terrific educational material for children, and its Between the Lions video resources are among the best. There are read-along folktales and fables with a twist, clever song videos of letter sounds, and many more amusing stories and catchy songs to capture kids' attention. The videos are short, with most ranging from 20 seconds to 6 minutes in length, so it's easy for children to watch a variety of them—or to re-watch a favorite several times.
Skills Covered
- The videos for preschoolers cover phonological awareness, letter knowledge awareness, vocabulary and language development, and even book and print awareness (like the catchy "Reason to Read" video).
- The videos for K–1 students incorporate the basic building blocks of reading skills using phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension.
These learning resources and the lessons they teach are memorable. In fact, my teenage daughter has fond memories of Between the Lions, and I had to tear her away from this website so I could finish this review!
Is It Really Free?
Yes. All of the videos are free to watch, and there are no ads on the website.
2. Starfall
Age Range: Pre-K to 3rd grade
Publisher: Starfall Education Foundation
Format: Read-along library, games, interactive activities
Cost: Free, although some materials require a paid subscription
Starfall Education (a nonprofit that focuses on free and low-cost learning resources for children) has created an engaging group of games and activities that range from the ABCs to fables. The stories and poems can be read by the narrator or by your child, with or without assistance. Your child can read the text on the screen and click on a word they need help with.
The reading material includes simple sentences, short stories, poems, plays, fiction, nonfiction, comics, folk tales, Greek myths, and Chinese fables. The phonics section includes videos to illustrate letter sounds and patterns.
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Skills Covered
- Phonemic awareness
- Systematic sequential phonics
- Common sight words
- Decoding practice
- Word recognition
- Fluency
Is It Really Free?
The Starfall website is free to access and use, and it doesn't have any ads. However, you will encounter some activities that are grayed-out and can't be opened. A paid subscription is required to access these activities. For a home membership, it costs $35 per year. There is a wide range of resources that can be enjoyed completely for free, though!
3. StoryPlace
Age Range: Pre-K to K
Publisher: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Format: Read-along library, activities, videos
Cost: Free
StoryPlace is an award-winning digital learning library hosted by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system in North Carolina. The site is fully available in both English and Spanish.
Beginning readers choose from 15 story themes:
Animals | Firefighters | Pets |
Babies | Fish | Shapes |
Bath Time | Gorillas | Teddy Bears |
Colors | Monkeys | Trains |
Crocodiles | Music | Wheels |
These animated read-along stories engage children with songs and rhymes. Each story is accompanied by several other online and offline activities for kids on the same theme. You'll also get suggestions for related library books to read with your child.
Skills Covered
- Early literacy
- Book awareness
- Vocabulary
Is It Really Free?
Yes. The website is completely free to use, and it has no ads.
4. Storyline Online
Age Range: K to 3rd grade
Publisher: SAG-AFTRA Foundation
Format: Videos narrated by famous actors
Cost: Free
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Foundation has a wonderful story read-along website called Storyline Online. Well-known SAG actors of all ages read more than 50 popular children's picture books. The narration is accompanied by illustrations from the book. Some of the stories use storybook cutout animation. Each book has accompanying lesson plan ideas and activities.
Skills Covered
- Early literacy
- Book awareness
- Reading comprehension
- Verbal and written language skills
My kids love to hear the actors read the stories, as they're very expressive. I've heard many children copy the tone and pitch of the readers when they read the books aloud themselves.
Is It Really Free?
Yes. The website and the videos are completely free, and the videos can be viewed through an ad-free player.
5. ReadWriteThink Student Interactives
Age Range: K to 2nd grade, with a few games for older readers
Publisher: International Literacy Association and National Council of Teachers of English (ILA/NCATE)
Format: Interactive games
Cost: Free
The ReadWriteThink Student Interactives site is jam-packed with lessons and interactive games for students of all ages who are learning reading and writing skills. For children learning to read English, there are seven interactive games (all of which are described below). Each student interactive is accompanied by lesson plans for use in the classroom or by homeschoolers.
Skills Covered
- ABC Match: In this game, kids match initial letters and letter sounds with pictures.
- Construct-a-Word: Kids choose a word ending, then add beginning letters and letter blends to create a word bank.
- Picture Match: Learners match a picture to a beginning letter or short- or long-vowel sounds.
- Puzzle Me Words: Kids combine letters together to create words that describe the pictures shown on the screen (for example, they might create the word "web" to describe a spider web).
- What's in the Bag?: This game helps kids develop vocabulary skills by listening to descriptive words to identify objects.
- Word Family Sort: This game helps beginning and struggling readers recognize word patterns using onset and rime.
- Word Wizards: With this game, learners develop their reading comprehension and spelling skills by using clues and scrambled letters from popular children's books.
Is It Really Free?
Yes. This website is free to use, and it doesn't have any ads.
6. PBS Reading Games
Age Range: Pre-K to 3rd grade
Publisher: PBS Kids
Format: Interactive games, read-along library
Cost: Free
PBS Kids has more than 70 reading games connected to characters from its popular television series, such as Sesame Street, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Martha Speaks, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, and Caillou. When your child successfully completes a game, many of them provide instant rewards, such as video clips or more fun games. This encourages children to keep playing and learning.
Skills Covered
The website's reading games include ABC, rhyming, vocabulary, and story games. Here are just a few examples:
- In Story Book Builder, kids can make a book with Abby, Elmo, or Cookie Monster from Sesame Street by choosing where the character will go and what they will do. After your child designs the book, they can read it again or create a new one.
- Kids can play Rhyme Racer with Wonder Red. They steer Red as she rollerblades to collect rhyming words (like cake, lake, and rake) and then help her incorporate those words into the story.
- Children will learn vocabulary words related to space by helping Martha through her adventure in Socks in Space. The new words are reinforced by a funny game in which astronaut Martha collects socks in outer space while dodging extraterrestrial cats!
The PBS characters are captivating and much loved by generations of kids, so their games easily hold the interest of young children as they learn basic reading skills. In addition to the selection of reading games, the website also offers music, math, science, and Spanish games, among many others.
Is It Really Free?
Yes. The website is totally free, and it does not have any ads.
7. WordWorld
Age Range: Pre-K to 1st grade
Publisher: WordWorld (a TV show for preschoolers)
Format: Interactive books, games, videos, printable activities
Cost: Free
In WordWorld, words morph into the objects they name. That creates a powerful connection between the letters and the words they represent. Children are captivated by the vibrant colors and graphics in these interactive books, and it's an excellent vocabulary building site for beginning readers.
Skills Covered
- Vocabulary
- Early literacy
- Phonics
Is It Really Free?
Yes. The website and games are free, and there are no ads on the site.
8. Storynory
Age Range: K to 5th grade
Publisher: Storynory Ltd. (UK)
Format: Audio stories
Cost: Free
With more than 600 audio stories, Storynory is a longtime favorite in the UK. It provides a broad range of original titles, fairy tales, myths, educational stories, poems, world stories, and classic authors. Children listen as they read along with the expressive storytellers. The stories also available via podcast.
Skills Covered
- Verbal language skills
- Listening skills
- Reading comprehension
Is It Really Free?
Yes. The website and all of the stories are free to access. However, the website does feature ads.
9. OxfordOWL
Age Range: Pre-K to 5th grade
Publisher: Oxford University Press (UK)
Format: E-books
Cost: Free, requires registration
OxfordOWL is another site from the UK. It offers more than 100 free e-books that range from simple level-reader stories to more complex titles and layouts, such as How to Build a Castle. Each book is prefaced with guidance for teachers and parents, explaining the reading skills emphasized in the story. The book ends with more guidance for discussion and reading comprehension questions. Free registration is required to access the e-books.
Skills Covered
The specific skills emphasized vary based on the book, but they include:
- Phonics
- Early literacy
- Reading comprehension
- Vocabulary
Is It Really Free?
Yes. You must register with the site in order to view the e-books, but registration is simple and free.
10. ABCya
Age Range: Pre-K to 6th grade
Publisher: IXL Learning
Format: Games
Cost: Free, though a subscription plan is available with more features
ABCya offers reading games for a wide range of grade levels. You can browse by level, and each game is helpfully labeled with the appropriate age range. (For example, the Alphabats Rhyming Words game is marked suitable for Pre-K through 2nd grade students.) The site also links games to the Common Core Standards, and you can search for games that address each standard.
The preschool games mostly focus on the alphabet, while higher-level games delve into more advanced topics like contractions, nouns and verbs, past tense, hom*ophones, and adverbs. Many games feature colorful creatures, friendly narrators, and lively music to keep kids engaged.
Skills Covered
- Reading comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Fluency
- Early literacy
Is It Really Free?
Yes. All of the games on the website are free to access and play. However, the website does feature ads, and if you want an ad-free experience, you'll need to pay for a subscription. The family subscription can be purchased on a monthly, yearly, or 6-month basis ($9.99 per month, $69.99 per year, or $44.99 per six months).
Why Isn't Epic on This List?
You may be familiar with Epic from your child's school (or your own classroom, if you're a teacher). Epic is a digital library that boasts more than 35,000 books, along with videos and quizzes. Although an Epic subscription is free for educators to use in the classroom, it's not free for parents. The service costs $7.99 monthly for a home account. However, Epic does offer a 30-day free trial, which might be something to consider if you're interested in trying it out at home.
Also, Epic occasionally offers remote student access during lengthy school closures. This allows students to access their teacher's subscription to the service from their own homes; all that's needed is an invitation from the teacher. If your child's school uses Epic, it's worth checking if remote student access is available during emergency closures.
What About Free Apps for Beginning Readers?
If you're looking for a mobile learning experience, kid-friendly apps are a good place to start. Like the websites listed above, apps offer fun, educational activities, and the touchscreen interface adds to the interactivity. Although many apps are free to download, some do offer in-app purchases for additional content.
My personal favorite app is Khan Academy Kids, which you can read more about below. I recommend five other free reading apps as well.
Best App: Khan Academy Kids
Age Range: Pre-K to 1st grade
Publisher: Khan Academy
System: iOS and Android
Format: Games, activities, books, videos
Cost: Free
This engaging app combines math, reading, drawing, and storytelling in thousands of activities. Original stories, games galore, and beautifully illustrated characters hold the interest of young children. It has books for kids up through first grade.
Khan Academy grounds these activities in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and Common Core Standards. As with the main Khan Academy program, children follow a learning path tailored to their learning abilities and performance.
Skills Covered
- Early literacy
- Reading
- Writing
- Phonics
- Vocabulary
This is now officially my favorite app for early learning skills in reading and math.
Is It Really Free?
Yes. The app is free to download, and there are no in-app purchases. There are no ads or subscriptions.
Parents, teachers, and children alike have embraced online educational tools as an effective means for teaching and practicing reading. However, there are some disadvantages to them as well. The following are a few of the benefits and drawbacks to using websites and other online learning tools.
Pros
- Flexible and Accessible: Schools close for many reasons—holidays, summer break, bad weather, strikes, health crises—and online educational tools allow kids to keep learning even when school isn't in session.
- Productive Use of Screen Time: Educational games are a positive, productive way for kids to spend their screen time. In its recommendations for children's media use, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) specifically mentions the resources offered by PBS and Sesame Workshop as being high-quality educational media.
- Enhances Computer Skills: While they're learning about reading or the ABCs through these websites, kids will also be learning computer and digital literacy skills as they navigate and interact with the activities.
- Fun: Online games and activities are made to be fun. Kids might not even realize that they're learning while they play.
- Inexpensive: Many online resources are free (like those above) or low cost. These activities do not require tons of supplies—if you have access to a computer, you're all set.
Cons
- Technology Requirements: Although the websites themselves are inexpensive, the computer isn't. Not all families can afford a computer and internet access at home.
- Increases Screen Time: Kids already spend a lot of time looking at screens, and using online educational tools adds even more screen time to their day. According to the recommendations from the AAP, there should be a limit of one hour of screen use per day for kids aged 2–5.
- Displaces Other Types of Learning: According to the AAP, overuse of digital media supplants other essential types of learning, such as "physical activity, hands-on exploration, and face-to-face social interaction in the real world."
- Structured: Although educational games are self-paced, they're still structured, and there are right and wrong answers to the questions. Children benefit greatly from unstructured play. As the Mayo Clinic explains in its guide to screen time for children, "Unstructured playtime is more valuable for a young child's developing brain than is electronic media."
Traditional Methods for Helping Your Child Learn to Read
If you're worried about screen time or the other drawbacks to digital learning tools, remember the wise words of the ancient Greek poet Hesiod: "Moderation is best in all things." You can limit your child's time spent on educational websites and combine it with more traditional means of encouraging and practicing reading—like physical books.
1. Read Aloud to Your Child
Reading to your kids will help them become better readers. A bedtime (or anytime) story isn't just a way to bond and relax—it also helps your child's cognitive development, vocabulary, and comprehension, among many other benefits. Children who engage in early literacy activities like read-aloud storytime with their families will have an easier time learning to read when they reach school age.
If you want some pointers on the whys and hows of reading aloud, check out Jim Trelease's Read-Aloud Handbook. Originally released in 1982, this classic guide has been revised and updated through the years. It answers questions like why you should read aloud and when you should start, and it includes a list of recommended books.
2. Read Together With Your Child
As your kids get older, they can join in as you read to them—or they can even read to you. Simple books like those by Dr. Seuss help new readers build confidence while learning about concepts like letter sounds and rhymes. By sharing books together, you'll help your child develop a love of reading, which is crucial for helping them become better readers.
Storybooks are wonderful to read together, but you can also read instructive books. Another classic guide is Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons by Siegfried Engelmann, Phyllis Haddox, and Elaine Bruner. This easy-to-follow book includes stories and lessons for kids to complete, along with advice for parents on how to present the lessons.
3. Visit the Library
Libraries are the original free educational resource. You can get your kids excited about books by making regular visits to your local library. Letting children choose which books they check out gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility for their education—and it gives them even more incentive to read "their" books. Depending on your library, your child may even be able to get their very own library card.
Books aren't all that libraries offer, either. Many have a range of programming for kids (and adults), such as tutoring services, storytime and sing-alongs, classes, board games to check out, research assistance, and service projects, depending on the library. A visit to the library helps fulfill the "hands-on exploration" and "face-to-face social interaction" aspects of learning that the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes.
4. Model Good Reading Behaviors
To encourage your children to read, make sure that they see you reading. Children will model your behavior. If they see you regularly reading and enjoying books, they're more likely to do the same.
More Online Reading Resources for Parents
Literacy Resources for Parents: Reading Rockets
Reading Rockets offers effective teaching strategies, activities, lessons, lesson plans, worksheets, exercises, skills, tests, assessments for reading comprehension, language arts, literacy, fluency, phonics, and phonemic awareness for children, especially those with dyslexia and other reading difficulties.
4 Library Resources for E-Books and Videos for Kids
If your family is stuck at home, you can still visit the library virtually. Many libraries offer online access to e-book databases that features a wealth of children's books, like Tumblebooks and Hoopla Kids Mode. You can sign in from home with the use of your library card.
Project Gutenberg: Free E-books
Project Gutenberg has more than 60,000 free e-books for Kindle, Android, iPad, and iPhone.
This is a Parents' Choice–approved website founded by dyslexic and ADHD siblings to bring the joy and confidence back to the struggling reader. The site and YouTube channel provide free audiobooks of abridged classic novels read by high school students and filmed chapter by chapter for easy listening. The website also has a blog filled with information for kids and parents and a list of other free resources.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
Questions & Answers
Question: How much does it cost to use these elementary reading websites for kids?
Answer: The websites I list here are all free to use.
Question: My daughter is 2 years, 3 months old. Can you suggest some good websites or apps enhance her skills?
Answer: For preschoolers, there are two that I recommend above all others. The first is the Khan Academy Kids app: https://learn.khanacademy.org/khan-academy-kids/. I've written about it above. It has tons of basic skills activities from shape recognition to reading and math: . The second is the PBS Kids website: https://pbskids.org/learn/. Their Learn section has similar types of skills activities. The site uses PBS children shows for their themes. Both are excellent. Above all, read picture books to your daughter. Tactile books are especially appealing to children at this age.
Question: What websites could help my 3rd-grade brother to read?
Answer: Try Reading Records from SAS Elementary Pathways: https://www.curriculumpathways.com/portal/#info/1698
Oxford Owl, linked in this article, is also good.
What elementary reading activities do your kids play?
Heidi Reina (author) from USA on June 02, 2020:
Fee-based courses like this one are not necessarily the best way to teach kids to read. I would not expect a 4-year-old to be able to read simple words. This is a skill set for kindergarten and first grade. What helps the most is to read with her, whether with an online or physical book. You are modeling the skill by reading aloud with her. Rhyming stories are particularly helpful. Just don't rush her.
Heidi Reina (author) from USA on March 01, 2020:
Epic is free to teachers in brick & mortar elementary schools. They can set up logins for their students to access the books. For everyone else, there is a monthly subscriptions charge.
amk on February 27, 2020:
Epic is absolutely free. I use it in my classroom all the time!
Heidi Reina (author) from USA on December 13, 2019:
Epic Books are not free.
Heidi Reina (author) from USA on December 12, 2019:
I hope your brother has been evaluated by his school to see if he has a reading difficulty, such as dyslexia, or an attention deficit disorder.
If not, that's what needs to happen first. Reading Rockets has a good article on getting struggling readers evaluated: https://www.readingrockets.org/helping/assessment.
If he has one of these problems, the school will recommend to your family how best to help him learn.
Reading Rockets has a good article on with tips for helping kids who have attention problems: https://www.readingrockets.org/article/reading-tog...
Kudos to you, Lilian, for helping him with his reading! I hope this helps.
Lilian on December 12, 2019:
I need help for my little brother he needs to learn how to read he is in 3rd grade I don't know what will help him he gets distracted easily and fidgets with things a lot while learning.
Michael on December 12, 2019:
wheres Epic Books?
Faith on November 15, 2019:
Between the Lions is no longer offered by PBS.
Makai moore on October 16, 2019:
I love it it is so cool for my class
Heidi Reina (author) from USA on August 14, 2019:
Hi Loyda. You can help your little brother learn to read. Read books with him, especially those with lots of rhymes. Storynory is a good website with the kinds of books that will help him to become a reader.
Loyda Meija on August 08, 2019:
How could you help my little brother to learn how to read
Heidi Reina (author) from USA on July 04, 2019:
So glad you find them helpful Hoop!
Hoop on July 04, 2019:
As a third grade teacher, these are great resources! Sharing with our parents!
Heidi Reina (author) from USA on June 24, 2019:
Thank you for alerting me to the broken links. I've updated the link for Between the Lions. BBC has restricted access. So I've recommended another site, StoryPlace. Hope you find them helpful.
FredRogersDaughter on June 23, 2019:
You appear to have at least 2 dead links: Between the Lions and the BBC one.
Heidi Reina (author) from USA on November 06, 2018:
I'm happy you liked it. Was there a site that your kids particularly enjoyed?
Harman on November 05, 2018:
I like this website
Heidi Reina (author) from USA on September 08, 2018:
Sorry you did not find something helpful. Epic, though, is not a free site.
Heidi Reina (author) from USA on May 09, 2018:
Glad you found to helpful, Analyn!
analyn on May 09, 2018:
im from philippines ..needed this for my kid..eureka!
Heidi Reina (author) from USA on May 07, 2018:
For older elementary students who have advanced beyond the beginning reader stage, check out the section "More Reading Resources from Parents" above. Project Gutenberg, Oxford Owl, and Reading Games are all useful for grades 3-5.
Sara on May 07, 2018:
I love this website
blah blah on April 25, 2018:
ok so where are 5th grade reading websites
Heidi Reina (author) from USA on January 13, 2018:
Try Reading Records from SAS Curriculum Pathways. It's free and it's designed for K-5 readers. You can use online or as an iOS or Windows app. Link to all versions: https://www.curriculumpathways.com/portal/#info/1698.
Izabella on January 13, 2018:
What are good reading map growth test warm up websites
Heidi Reina (author) from USA on November 23, 2017:
So glad you found it helpful. Wish you much success with your school year.
Taniah on November 23, 2017:
Lots of help for my classes
Alyiah on February 22, 2017:
I love this website it helps kids learn
DaniRren on December 10, 2013:
Such interesting stuff here on your pages! I simply love between the lions, sure makes great fun reading for a child. A kid usually gets to learn more when there is fun involved in the lessons. Thanks for the lovely ideas. educationalplay.info
Regards
Dani Rren
anonymous on December 03, 2013:
I love this website. I look forward to putting you suggestions to good use!
LearnKidstoRead on November 17, 2013:
Thanks for the very enjoyable and helpful lens. Anything we can do to get our kids to learn and have fun doing it has got to be good. Sue
TeachKidsReading on November 14, 2013:
That is a great list of websites, and definitely a good resource for parents wanting to teach their children to read or give their kids the resources to learn to read better. Thanks
NancyKraz on October 22, 2013:
Our kids love ReadingEggs. we were originially turned on to it by our daycare, but it has done wonders for their reading comprehension. It's definitely worth checking out if you haven't done so yet. You can get a free trial at kidslearntoread.net
Early2ReadMom on October 21, 2013:
I got my kids started early to readâ¦before they ever entered kindergarten. I canât overstate how much it helped their overall confidence level in all subjects. My boy started reading at age 3. As he entered first grade and they told me he was reading on the 5th grade level. Kids love reading when they can learn with no pressure.
Fay Favored from USA on August 22, 2013:
Don't have any, but saw this for a friend. Sending her this link. Good collection of sites.
LouisaDembul on January 26, 2013:
Very nice selection of reading sites for kids. I came here looking for help to teach my little on to read, and found it!
suepogson on January 12, 2013:
These sites are terrific, and will encourage participation from young 2nd language speakers. Thank you so much - I have sent this lens to Primary (elementary) teachers and heads of my acquaintance.
neotony on December 02, 2012:
nice resource but i had to comment on the cute bookworm that called me over to this lens!
dsypert on November 08, 2012:
Like your "book worm" image.
anonymous on September 26, 2012:
I have introduced my children to Starfall. I am trying to get my older daughter to read more to improve her development. This lens is an excellent resource for parents like me.
Peggy Hazelwood from Desert Southwest, U.S.A. on September 04, 2012:
My grandkids love Starfall. Great bunch of resources!
CruiseReady from East Central Florida on September 30, 2011:
GameGoo looks like a fun site!
denetraharris on September 05, 2011:
Love your lens, good and useful info. on the websites. check out my lens on how important it is to learn to read & enjoy reading in the early years of life. If not, you will have low performing schools in your school district.
squidoo.com/mercybookmobile
anonymous on August 29, 2011:
Practice, practice, practice....and have fun, what a great approach for developing reading skills.
KarenTBTEN on August 11, 2011:
Looks like a good set of resources, and well annotated. SquidAngel blessings from the preschool and elementary neighborhood SquidAngel.
