There is something special about watching a child get pulled into a good book. A few pages can introduce a new character, spark a question, or open the door to a completely different world. With the school year underway and book fair season approaching, it is a great time for families and educators to find creative ways to keep that excitement around reading going.
Reading does not always have to happen at a desk or during a scheduled lesson. At home, in classrooms, in school gyms, at family literacy nights, and during book fair events, books can be part of a larger experience that includes conversation, creativity, movement, and play.
At Pogo, we believe learning and play can complement each other. Backyard inflatables can add energy to reading-centered activities and celebrations while helping create experiences kids look forward to. Whether you are planning a relaxed afternoon at home or a larger school event, here are seven ways to make reading feel like an even bigger part of the fun.
1. Give Storytime a Change of Scenery
Sometimes making reading feel fresh is as simple as changing where it happens. For families, that could mean taking a stack of favorite books outside, setting out a few blankets or cushions, and making storytime part of an afternoon in the backyard.
There is no need to turn it into a formal activity. Read a chapter before play begins, let each child choose a book for the family, or take a break between stories for some time on the inflatable. Allowing the afternoon to move naturally between quieter moments and active ones can make reading feel less like another task on the schedule.
That same idea can work beyond the backyard, too. Once reading is treated as something that can happen in different places and in different ways, it becomes easier to build books into the activities kids already enjoy.
2. Let Favorite Characters Become Part of Storytime
Familiar characters can make that connection even stronger. Pogo’s growing collection of licensed backyard inflatables gives families another way to bring recognizable characters into play while keeping books and storytelling at the center of the experience.
For example, our licensed inflatables featuring The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ and Dog Man™ show how familiar characters can extend the excitement kids already have for the stories and personalities they know. Children can enjoy a favorite book, talk about the characters they love, and then carry that enthusiasm with them into play.
It does not need to become an elaborate themed activity. Sometimes simply bringing a familiar character into the day helps make the experience feel more memorable. From there, movement can become another easy way to keep kids engaged.
3. Mix Reading With Movement
Young children spend a lot of time being asked to sit, listen, and focus, so adding movement can give a reading-centered activity a different rhythm. Rather than thinking of quiet reading time and active play as competing with each other, families and educators can allow space for both.
At home, that might mean reading together, taking a play break, and returning to another book later. In a classroom, gym, or community setting, inflatable play can be part of a rotation that also includes read-alouds, crafts, drawing, or other literacy-focused activities.
The goal is not to turn every book into an activity. It is simply to create a day that feels varied and engaging, with opportunities for kids to listen, move, create, and participate in different ways. That same balance can work especially well when reading becomes part of a larger event.
4. Build a Reading Event Kids Will Remember
Family literacy nights, reading weeks, library events, and school celebrations give educators an opportunity to make books feel like something the whole community can enjoy together. Instead of relying on one activity, schools can create an event with several simple experiences for children and families to explore at their own pace.
A gym, multipurpose room, playground, or field could include teacher read-alouds, crafts, book browsing, and supervised inflatable play. Keeping the mix focused helps the event feel organized while still offering enough variety to keep kids interested from beginning to end.
Thoughtful planning helps everything work together smoothly. When an inflatable is included, schools and organizations can choose an appropriate space, build adult supervision into the event plan, and follow the product’s setup, age, occupancy, and operating guidelines along with any facility requirements. With those pieces in place, the inflatable becomes one part of a well-rounded literacy event.
5. Make More of Book Fair Season
Book fair season is a natural opportunity to build on that same energy. Kids are already discovering new titles and talking about what they want to read next, so schools can extend the excitement beyond simply browsing the shelves.
Teachers, PTO/PTA groups, and school volunteers can help turn book fair week into a larger literacy celebration with read-alouds, crafts, character-inspired activities, and supervised active play. Giving families more reasons to stay and participate can make the book fair feel less like a quick stop and more like a shared school experience centered around reading.
The excitement can continue before and after the event, too. Students might make bookmarks, vote on classroom favorites, or take part in simple reading-themed activities throughout the week. Those small additions can help make book fair season feel like a broader celebration instead of a single day on the school calendar.
6. Celebrate Reading Goals in a Meaningful Way
Book fair season can also be a natural time to encourage kids to set reading goals of their own. While traditional challenges often focus on the number of books or pages completed, goals can be broader and more personal.
Kids might try a book about a new topic, read outside, share a story with a sibling, listen to someone else read aloud, or create something inspired by what they have read. Mixing different types of activities keeps the focus on curiosity and participation rather than simply completing a checklist.
When kids reach a milestone, it is worth recognizing the effort. A classroom celebration, special family afternoon, or extra playtime can mark the occasion and give children a positive memory connected to what they accomplished. And once they have discovered a book they really enjoy, giving them a chance to talk about it can keep that enthusiasm going.
7. Let Kids Share What They’re Reading
Reading can become even more engaging when kids have a chance to talk about the books they enjoy. Giving children a voice in the experience helps move reading beyond something they complete on their own and turns it into something they can share with friends, classmates, siblings, and parents.
At home, let each child choose a book for family reading time or tell everyone what they liked most about a story. In a classroom or during a book fair event, students could create short recommendation cards, talk about a favorite title, or share a book they think someone else would enjoy.
Those conversations can help build excitement around reading in a way that feels natural. When kids see the people around them talking about books, recommending stories, laughing about favorite moments, and getting excited about what they want to read next, reading becomes part of the culture around them—not simply another assignment to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions from Parents
Will a bounce house ruin my lawn grass?
Not if used properly! When left on grass for a few hours during a party or weekend afternoon, your lawn will recover quickly. To prevent yellowing or flattening grass during multi-day play, move the inflatable setup to a slightly different spot on your lawn every 24 to 48 hours. Using a breathable tarp and ensuring you do not leave deflated vinyl sitting on wet grass under direct sunlight prevents turf stress. Read our detailed guide on avoiding lawn damage with bounce houses for more expert turf care tips.
How difficult is the setup process for just one or two parents?
It is surprisingly fast and simple! Our Backyard Kids Inflatables line can easily be set up by a single parent in under 10 minutes. You simply unroll the unit on top of your ground tarp, attach the inflation tube to the included electric blower, stake down the corners, and turn on the switch. The blower inflates the entire unit in about 60 to 90 seconds.
What is the proper way to clean and dry water slides to prevent mold?
To keep your water slide in pristine condition, drain all water from the splash pool after play. Leave the electric blower running for 30 to 60 minutes after the water is drained; the continuous airflow inflates and dries the seams from the inside out. Wipe down any remaining surface water with a soft micro-fiber towel. If you ever discover mold or mildew from improper storage, check out our guide on how to clean mold off a bounce house with minimal damage.
How do I choose between a Backyard Kids unit and a Crossover model?
Focus on the ages and play styles of your children. If your kids are under 10 years old, or if you want a lightweight unit that is easy to pop up after school for quick play, the Backyard Kids Inflatables line made from ripstop nylon is ideal. If you have older kids, teenagers, or children who love rougher play with higher weight limits, step up to a Crossover unit made from 10-15 oz heavy-duty vinyl.
How should I store my inflatable during cold winter months?
Before storing your unit for the winter, ensure it is completely dry and clean. Deflate the unit fully, following our step-by-step instructions on how to deflate a bounce house. Roll it tightly and store it inside a heavy-duty storage bag or container off the ground in a clean, temperature-controlled environment, such as a basement, closet, or elevated garage shelf. For comprehensive seasonal care, read our 12 tips for safely storing inflatables this upcoming winter.
Bringing Play and Learning Together in Your Backyard
Reading can become even more meaningful when it is part of the moments kids already enjoy. By blending books, imagination, movement, and play, families and schools can create experiences that keep children engaged and excited to learn.
At Pogo, we are proud to help bring those moments to life with safe, durable inflatables designed for family fun.
To discover more ways to bring active play and imagination together, visit our website and explore our Backyard Kids collection.