7 Fun Ways to Explore a Picture Book With Your Child
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Most of us have a familiar routine when reading with our children. We pick a book, read the story together, turn the last page, and put it back on the shelf.
And sometimes, that's all we need.
But a picture book can offer so much more than the story itself. In our own family, some of the most enjoyable moments with books have come from games that had very little to do with the actual storyline.
With a little imagination, the same book can become a guessing game, an art project, a memory challenge, or an opportunity for conversation.
Here are seven simple ways to explore a picture book with your child, using books you already have at home.
1. Let the Pictures Tell the Story
Let's start with a familiar approach that's especially helpful for younger children who aren't reading independently yet.
Before reading the book, look at the cover together and ask what your child thinks the story might be about. As you turn the pages, let them explore the illustrations and imagine what's happening.
“What do you think is happening here?”
“How do you think this character feels?”
“What do you think will happen next?”
Children can tell us quite a lot through pictures, even before they can read a single word. They might even invent a completely different story!
Rather than correcting their guesses, encourage them to explain what they see. This gives them opportunities to build vocabulary, use their imagination, and express their ideas.
You can also try looking through the entire book without reading the words, then compare their version with the actual story.
2. Turn the Book Into a Scavenger Hunt
Instead of focusing on the story, give your child something to search for throughout the pages.
You might ask them to find five red objects, count the animals, or look for different kinds of food.
For children beginning to recognize letters and words, try something a little more challenging.
“Can you find something that starts with B?”
“How many different animals can you find?”
“Can you find the word 'the' five times?”
The challenges don't have to relate to the story at all. A familiar book can suddenly become a search-and-find game.
You can easily adjust the difficulty, from finding colors and familiar objects to searching for words, patterns, or hidden details.
3. Try the 30-Second Observation Game
This is one of the book games my children have especially enjoyed.
Choose an illustrated page with plenty of details and give your child about 30 seconds to study it carefully. Then close the book or cover the picture.
Now start asking questions!
“What color was the man's hat?”
“How many birds were sitting in the tree?”
“Was the window open or closed?”
Open the book again and check the answers together.
Then switch roles and let your child quiz you. You might be surprised by how many little details they remember that you missed!
For younger children, choose a simpler illustration, allow more time, and start with just one or two questions.
It's a playful way to practice observation and visual memory while encouraging children to create questions of their own.
4. Bring the Book Into Your Own Art
Sometimes the illustrations are just as memorable as the story.
Let your child choose a favorite page and turn it into an art activity. They might enjoy recreating the original picture, paying attention to shapes, colors, and details.
Or they can create something entirely new.
What would the scene look like at night? What if the characters lived somewhere different? How would your child design a new cover?
They could even draw an extra page showing what happens after the story ends.
Some children love carefully copying what they see, while others prefer inventing their own versions. Both are wonderful ways to explore art, observation, and creativity using a book and a few drawing materials.
5. Connect the Story to Real Life
As children grow, books can become wonderful starting points for conversations about their own experiences, thoughts, and feelings.
After reading, ask if anything reminds them of something that happened in their lives.
“Have you ever felt the way this character did?”
“Did something like this ever happen to you?”
“What would you have done differently?”
You can also share your favorite parts of the book and explain why you chose them.
For older children, these conversations can become a simple reading journal. They might write a few sentences about a character, a favorite scene, or a memory the story brought back.
Younger children can draw their favorite part while you write down what they tell you. Those beginning to learn letters can try tracing or copying a few important words from the story, practising early writing and fine motor skills.
It doesn't need to become a formal book report. The idea is simply to help children connect what they've read with their own experiences.
6. Keep the Story Going With Questions
Sometimes children aren't in the mood to sit down and draw or write. That's when a few playful questions can be enough.
After reading, take turns asking each other questions about the story.
You might ask why a character made a certain decision or what your child thinks happened after the final page.
Then let your child become the quizmaster.
“What do you think happened the next morning?”
“If you could add one character, who would it be?”
“What would you do if you were in this story?”
The questions can be thoughtful, funny, or completely silly.
You can play on the couch, while walking together, or even after putting the book away. No supplies or preparation needed, just a little imagination and conversation.
7. Rebuild the Story Together, One Word at a Time
Here's a fun challenge for children who enjoy making up stories.
After finishing the book, try retelling the story together with one simple rule. You can only add one word at a time.
You say the first word, your child adds the next, and you continue taking turns.
For example, you might start with “Once...” and your child adds “there...” Then you say “was...” and see where the story goes.
The finished story might sound nothing like the original, and that's perfectly fine! The unexpected turns are often what make everyone laugh.
For younger children, try taking turns adding a short phrase or sentence instead.
It's a simple way to practise listening, language, and storytelling while building something together.
One Book, Many Possibilities
You don't need to turn every reading session into an activity. Sometimes children want to hear their favorite story again, and that's enough.
But when you're looking for something different to do together, a familiar book can offer plenty of possibilities.
One day, you might talk about the characters. Another day, you might count animals, test each other's memory, draw a favorite scene, or invent an entirely new story.
What we love about these activities is how naturally they fit into family life. They don't require elaborate preparation, and they leave room for children to explore in their own way.
This playful approach to everyday learning is also at the heart of our Rapport Calendar. Its daily prompts encourage families to observe, think, talk, and create together using familiar things around them, including books.
If you'd like more ideas like these to explore with your child, take a look at our Rapport Calendar.