There are lots of resources out there for online reading for kids, you just need to know where to look. Our website is a prime area to check out first. Our free online speed reading test can be easily completed by anyone ages ten and up. We designed the test originally for struggling 7th grade readers, but really it’s written at about a 5th grade reading level. Students younger than ten might find the reading a little challenging, but many of them can try it as well. Results will vary strongly based on your student’s ability to read, and their vocabulary.
However, you should still try it to get an idea of how strong of a reader your kids are. This will definitely help determine what kinds of materials you should provide that will give them the correct balance of challenge versus ease. Online reading for kids come in all varieties and forms, and knowing how good of readers they are can really help you select from the most appropriate websites to use. You don’t want to overwhelm them, but you do want to provide a challenge.
One of the best online reading for kids sites out there is CYOA, the Choose Your Own Adventure website. On this website, children read a description of a character and some events surrounding them, and then when a character reaches a decision point (usually every 300 to 500 words), your child makes it for them from a set of multiple choice questions. Eventualities are set up for either path. You are dynamically creating your own reading adventure, which is an excellent way to “play” reading like a video game. These were a favorite of mine growing up, and I think I read every single one that our library had from 3rd through 5th grade, and now having them set up as online reading for kids, it’s easier than ever to use them.
Online reading for kids continues with a website called Starfall which is a phonics website. While I’m not so keen on phonics, this site is pretty good for beginning readers, since it allows them to practice making words and sounds, and it is targeted for very young kids.