Join a book club
Join or start a kid-friendly book club with friends, choose a book, discuss favorite parts, share simple reviews, and swap reading recommendations.
About this activity
Join or start a kid-friendly book club with friends, choose a book, discuss favorite parts, share simple reviews, and swap reading recommendations.
What you need
Step by step
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Step 1
Invite three friends to join your kid-friendly book club.
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Step 2
Decide if you will join an existing club or start your own club.
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Step 3
Choose one kid-friendly book that everyone agrees to read.
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Step 4
Pick a date time and place for your first meeting.
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Step 5
Read the book before the meeting date.
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Step 6
Use bookmarks or sticky notes to mark the pages you like best.
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Step 7
On a piece of paper write three short sentences about the book.
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Step 8
Bring your notes and a bookmark to the meeting.
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Step 9
Share your favorite part with the group.
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Step 10
Read your short review aloud to the group.
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Step 11
Ask each friend to say one book they would like the club to read next.
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Step 12
Write down all the book suggestions on paper.
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Step 13
Vote together to pick the next book for your club.
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Step 14
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do you join or start a kid-friendly book club?
To start or join a kid-friendly book club, invite a small group of friends or classmates, agree on a regular meeting time, and pick a short, age-appropriate book. Assign short reading sections between meetings, set a simple agenda (share favorite parts, ask one question, give brief reviews, swap recommendations), and rotate a child host. Keep meetings 30–45 minutes and include a fun activity like drawing a favorite scene or having a themed snack.
What materials do I need for a kid-friendly book club?
You’ll need copies of the chosen book (library, paperback, or e-book), a calendar or planner to set meeting dates, simple review sheets or notebooks and pencils, and optional craft supplies for related activities. For virtual clubs, add a stable device and video platform. Parents should also have contact details and permission notes for meetups. Keep supplies minimal and shareable so every child can participate easily.
What ages is a kid-friendly book club suitable for?
Book clubs work for many ages with small adjustments: ages 3–5 need short picture books and adult-led discussions with activities; ages 6–9 enjoy picture and early chapter books with drawing or show-and-tell reviews; ages 9–12 can handle independent chapter books and deeper discussion prompts. Teens can run more structured clubs with longer books. Always supervise younger children and set clear online-safety rules for virtual meetings.
What are the benefits of joining a kid-friendly book club?
Joining a book club boosts reading motivation, vocabulary, and comprehension while teaching kids to express opinions and listen to others. It builds social skills, confidence, and empathy by discussing characters and choices. Regular meetings create a reading routine and can introduce diverse books and perspectives. Clubs also encourage teamwork through shared projects, like making simple reviews or recommendation lists to swap with friends.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have bookmarks or sticky notes?
If you don't have bookmarks or sticky notes, fold small scraps of paper, use paper clips or index cards, or make simple corner bookmarks so you can still 'Use bookmarks or sticky notes to mark the pages you like best'.
What should we do if someone hasn't finished the book before the meeting date?
If a friend hasn't finished the book before the meeting date, ask them to bring a bookmarked favorite page or listen while others read aloud so they can still 'Share your favorite part' and join the discussion and vote.
How can we adapt the club activities for different ages?
For younger children, replace the 'write three short sentences about the book' step with three drawings and use sticker voting, while older kids can write longer reviews, lead the 'Ask each friend to say one book' discussion, and organize the vote.
How can we personalize or extend the book-club meeting?
Personalize your meeting by crafting themed bookmarks to bring, creating a poster listing 'all the book suggestions', recording a short group video, and then 'Share your finished creation on DIY.org'.