How to Read Books to Grandchildren Online: Easy Guide for Virtual Storytime
You know that warm, cozy feeling when you used to snuggle up beside your grandkids, picture book in hand, and their giggles filled the room? Life’s pace, distance, or even a virus can put miles and weeks between you. But here’s the good news: technology can’t replace those cuddles, but it sure can help keep your storytime tradition alive—no matter how far apart you live. Video calls, clever apps, and a little planning turn any ordinary day into magical book-sharing moments your grandkids will remember. Forget the learning curve—if you can make a phone call, you’re halfway there already.
Why Virtual Storytime Matters
Reading to your grandchildren online isn’t just about the story. It’s about showing up for them, keeping that special bond strong despite distance. Studies from the American Academy of Pediatrics have shown how regular reading helps kids with words, curiosity, and imagination. But there’s another angle—seeing your face, hearing your voice, knowing grandma or grandpa is making time just for them. That’s priceless.
Plus, online reading sessions aren’t just “second best.” The novelty of video calls can make kids even more excited for storytime, especially if you jazz things up with silly hats or voices. It also carves out a routine—a weekly “date” grandkids look forward to. For you, it’s a sneaky way to keep up with their favorite books as they grow and feel involved in their changing lives, even across state lines.
But does it feel awkward or techy? Not at all. Most video call apps are friendly now; you just need a smartphone, tablet, or laptop and a tiny bit of setup to connect. Some apps even let you share screens or show pages up close so kids can see the pictures as you read. With a good Wi-Fi connection, you won’t miss a beat.
Grandparents say the real surprise is how lively these online sessions get. Kids want to pick favorite books, ask goofy questions, or “turn” pages on their end. Some families even do group sessions—imagine one grandparent reading while three cousins sit on their screens miles apart, all waving goodnight. Suddenly, distance feels less daunting.
Older kids love it, too. Chapter books can be read aloud across several sessions, keeping them hooked all week. Reluctant readers hear stories out loud, sparking their interest. For bilingual families, you can also switch between languages, making storytime a memory and a learning boost at once.
Best Tools for Online Book Reading
Now, let’s sort out the nitty-gritty: which tools actually work best for reading stories online? The truth: you don’t need anything fancy. Start with what the family already uses. Most households already have video call apps like Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, or Google Meet. If everyone’s used to FaceTime on iPhones and iPads, that’s probably the simplest route—just a tap and you’re reading face-to-face.
Zoom is popular for group calls, especially if you want to read to siblings or cousins. You can "Share Screen" so the grandkids see the book’s pictures really clearly, or just hold your book up to your camera if that feels easier. There’s no shame in low-tech, honestly—kids just want to see you and the book.
Looking to jazz things up? Try a service called Caribu. Caribu lets you video call and share books right on the app; you both see the pages at the same time just by swiping. There’s a free trial, and thousands of books available (including in Spanish). Epic! is another big name—kids can browse a library of digital books, and you can guide them as you read together, sharing the screen from your device.
If you and your grandkids both have Amazon Kindle devices, you can use Amazon’s "Family Library" feature to share books between accounts. Then you can both “turn” pages and see the same section. Kindle apps are free for phones and tablets, so you don’t need to shell out for a new device.
Tech is rarely perfect. Here’s a pro tip: always check your camera and Wi-Fi first. Make sure you have the book ready, your battery charged, and maybe a backup plan if connections get glitchy (like, calling by phone to continue the story or telling the ending in your own words).
For families spread across time zones, try setting up a weekly storytime “appointment.” Use a digital calendar invite with reminders, so everyone can plan for it and the kids get used to looking forward to Tuesday night adventures with Grandma.
Choosing the Right Books for Online Reading
Not all children’s books work online. Big, colorful illustrations and clear, simple language are best for younger kids. Look for picture books you can easily hold up or show through the camera. If you want the kids to see every detail, ask the parents to have the same book at their house—or use apps like Caribu or Epic! with built-in digital books that you both see at once.
For toddlers and preschoolers, classics like "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" or "Dear Zoo" never fail. These books have repetitive patterns that little ones love, so they can “read” along with you. For ages five to eight, try "The Day the Crayons Quit," "Dragons Love Tacos," or "The Book with No Pictures"—all packed with fun (and guaranteed giggles, even over video).
Once kids get older, start chapter books you can read over a few weeks—anything by Roald Dahl or Beverly Cleary is a winner. With older grandkids, mix in books about things they love, whether that’s animals, sports, or funny family stories. Or look for graphic novels that have short text bubbles—these are extra fun to share online and can help keep wiggly kids engaged.
If your grandkids are learning two languages, look for bilingual books and switch between languages as you read. Spanish-English picture books are easy to find at the library (or on apps like Epic!), making storytime extra educational. Sometimes, kids love silly voices in both languages—don’t be afraid to ham it up!
Don’t stress over having every book your grandkids want. The real magic is just seeing your face and hearing your voice tell the tale. If you forget the ending, just make up a silly one together. Kids don’t expect perfection—their favorite stories are almost always the ones they share with you.
Tips for Keeping Grandkids Engaged Online
Even the sweetest kid can lose interest if the tech lags or you’re reading too fast. The secret is mixing up the pace and making the experience interactive. Before starting, ask what happened in the story last time, or let them pick which book you’ll read that day.
Keep sessions short at first—15 or 20 minutes for little kids—then build up as they ask for "one more page." Add drama with your voice: whisper, gasp, laugh, and use silly hats or props if that fits the book’s mood. Some grandparents keep a “storytime box” of scarves, animal puppets, or plastic glasses handy to liven things up.
Let kids help tell the story. If it’s a picture book, pause and ask what they see or what might happen next. Encourage them to draw a scene from the book and hold it up to the camera, or to act out a funny part. For older kids, pause between chapters and chat about the plot or characters. This keeps them thinking and brings your time alive.
Give them chances to “read” a page or finish sentences, even if they’re still learning to read. Kids feel proud when they help—plus, it gives your voice a break! If your grandkids have their own copy of the book or a printout of some pages, they can “turn” pages with you and feel more involved.
Try to keep outside sounds low and lighting good so kids can see your face and the pictures clearly. If your grandchild is shy, start with a silly icebreaker (like making faces or sharing a joke). Patience matters: sometimes a kid will wander off and then wander back, and that’s totally normal.
Virtual storytime doesn’t have to be rigid. You can open with a funny riddle, sing a favorite song, or let grandkids “show and tell” a new toy before you start reading. Having a loose plan (with a backup book if the first one’s a bust) means you can relax and have fun—even if storytime doesn’t go as planned.
Making Storytime Special from Miles Away
Yes, it takes a little effort to set up storytime online, but those small moments add up. Years from now, your grandkids won’t remember every word, but they’ll remember the laughs and closeness. Try recording a few storytimes for the family—apps like Zoom can record sessions (with parents’ permission), creating memories you can revisit when you’re feeling nostalgic.
Mark each session with a closing ritual—a silly goodbye wave, blowing kisses, or a short song. This gives kids closure and a reason to look forward to next week. Some families mail books or tiny props to each other as a way of “sharing” a piece of the story. Others keep joint reading logs, with stickers for every finished book, so you can see your progress together.
Don’t be afraid to get creative—read outside in the yard, under fairy lights, or with pets snuggled up beside you. Show kids your own childhood books, complete with old notes or doodles in the margins. Sometimes, the best stories are family tales—kids love hearing about what life was like when you were their age.
Special events like birthdays or holidays? Plan a themed storytime. Wear costumes, decorate your “story corner,” or send a surprise snack for your grandchild to munch on during your call. Even sharing a cup of cocoa can make it feel like you’re right there together.
Virtual reading may never fully replace curling up on the couch together, but it sure helps bridge the gap. With each session, you’re building a cushion of love and cherished memories that last long after screens turn off. So grab that favorite book, dial up your grandkids, and let the stories—and laughter—roll. Kids, after all, never forget a grandparent who brings stories to life, whether in person or miles away.