
My favorite thing to do on a rainy day {well, quite honestly any day} is read! So, having a classroom Read-In Day is a no-brainer – even if it’s not raining! Read-In Day is a fantastic way to immerse your students in the joy of reading while giving them a day full of cozy, focused, and enjoyable reading experiences.

And you may be thinking, “How can I give up a whole day to reading?!” Fear not – it can be a memorable event that encourages a love for books and helps foster a strong classroom reading culture. So much of what we teach in the primary grades is to fall in love with learning, so dedicating a whole day to books should be on your plans!
Keep reading for a step-by-step guide to help you plan a fun and successful Read-In Day for your classroom students.
Choose a Date and Set Expectations
Select a day that works for your classroom schedule, preferably one where you can dedicate a few hours solely to reading. I’m very fortunate in my district that each Wednesday is a minimum day for students. I’ve always selected a minimum day for Read-In Day because it just makes sense for my schedule. However, if you can only carve out a couple of hours in the morning, that works too – it’s just about building in the time to celebrate the love of books and reading.

I try to do one Read-In day per trimester. It’s really fun to see the different books kids bring as the year goes on and their reading skills develop.
Once you’ve selected your day, you can reach out to your room parents to help set things up for you. My room parents communicate the date to the classroom families and ask for volunteers to come in and read aloud to the class, as well as provide a snack for the day.

In your communication to families {whether from you or the room parent}, encourage students to bring their favorite books, pillows, blankets, and perhaps even wear pajamas to make it extra cozy.
Create a Comfortable Environment
On Read-In Day, transform your classroom into a cozy reading retreat! I push all of the desks to the side of the classroom and create a wide-open space for students to get cozy.

They can set up their blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals around the room to make a comfortable reading nook. You can dim the lights slightly or hang twinkling string lights to create a calm, inviting atmosphere.
Plan a Mix of Independent and Group Reading
While a Read-In Day focuses primarily on independent reading, incorporating a mix of activities will help keep students engaged throughout the day.
Here are a few ideas:
- Independent Reading Time: Set a timer for 15-20 minute reading sessions. Encourage students to choose books they enjoy, whether it’s picture books, early readers, or chapter books for more advanced readers.
- Buddy Reading: Pair students up to read with a friend or partner. This can be a fun way for them to share stories and discuss what they are reading.
- Family Read-Aloud: When room parents coordinate with families, encourage parents and grandparents to come in and read to your class! They can select a book to read aloud to the class from their home library or you can provide a special book to share {that may not already be in your library}.
Incorporate Themed Reading Stations
To keep things exciting, set up different reading stations with specific themes or types of books.
Here are a few station ideas:
- Picture Book Paradise: A spot filled with colorful picture books.
- Mystery Corner: Books with a suspenseful or mystery element.
- Adventure Land: Stories with adventurous themes.
- Nonfiction Nook: A collection of nonfiction books related to your current lessons or topics of interest.
- Student Picks: Ask students to bring a book from home that they love to introduce their classmates to new favorites.

You can rotate students through these stations every 10-15 minutes or let them choose where to go.
Book Exchange
One of our favorite Read-In Day traditions in Room 8 is our book exchange. Students are asked to bring in a gently used book that they no longer read at home that they are willing to give up.
I place the pile of wrapped books into a circle and students take turns selecting a book. Altogether they open their new books and discover a new book to explore.

Tip: you may want to keep a few wrapped books on hand in case someone forgets or is unable to bring a book in to share.
Incorporate Fun Break Activities
Break up the day with a few fun literacy-related activities or brain breaks to avoid reading fatigue. Some ideas include:
- Bookmark Making: Provide art supplies for students to create their own personalized bookmarks.
- Book Talks: Give students a chance to briefly talk about the book they’re reading and why they chose it.
- Book Bingo: Create a bingo sheet with different reading-related activities or genres, and challenge students to complete it throughout the day.
Snacks and Drinks
To make it even more special, consider offering simple snacks like popcorn, fruit, or juice boxes. If you allow snacks, make sure they are easy to manage and not too messy. You could even tie the snacks into the theme by serving “bookworms” (gummy worms) or “reading fuel” (trail mix).
Or, if you want to really play up the theme you can ask your room parents to provide book-themed snacks that tie into a specific read-aloud.
Full disclosure: in my classroom someone swings by Costco and snags a box of popcorn and a bunch of juice boxes and kids are still very happy with the simple treat! 😉

Read-In Day can be a low-prep, high-impact activity that brings excitement to reading. By making the day fun and relaxed, you create a positive association with reading, helping students build a lifelong love for books. With the right mix of independent reading, group activities, and fun stations, your students are sure to have an unforgettable day full of literary adventure!
Need some read-aloud ideas? Check out these books!
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Happy Reading!