8 Best Free Reading Websites for Elementary students

Are you looking for free websites to help your Kids improve their reading skills? You want something fun yet educational. Many great platforms exist, whether you’re a parent looking for fun stories, a teacher seeking classroom resources, or a kid who loves exploring books online.
This article explores free reading websites for elementary students and focuses on their features and benefits so you can find the perfect fit for your child.

How These Websites Beneficial for Children

These top 8 free reading websites offer a variety of educational activities, interactive games, and animated stories designed to make learning fun. Whether your kid loves books or needs extra motivation to read, these platforms have something for everyone. With suitable content for all age groups, they provide an engaging learning experience that parents and teachers can feel good about.

Storyline Online is an excellent choice for parents or teachers looking for a fun way to spark a love of reading. This platform offers engaging read-aloud videos of popular children’s books narrated by well-known actors.
With each story accompanied by on-screen text, kids can follow along easily, making Storyline Online a perfect gadget for improving their reading skills. Storyline Online turns books into immersive experiences, helping Children readily interact with the story and gain a greater understanding of literature by following along with the text.

Important Features

• Stories include on-screen text so children can follow along, improving word recognition and fluency.
• Perfect for children who learn best when actively engaging in visual and sound objects.
• The combination of storytelling and text encourages comprehension, listening skills, and vocabulary growth.
• Great for both individual learning and group storytime.
• Famous actors like Oprah Winfrey, Chris Pine, and Viola Davis bring stories to life with expressive readings.
• It offers diverse books covering topics like empathy, kindness, and diversity.
• Suitable for children of different ages, from preschool to elementary school.

Benefits

• Enhances both listening and reading comprehension
• Ideal for children who enjoy audio-visual learning
• Great for parents wanting a low-effort way to encourage reading

Oxford Owl is an award-winning educational platform designed to support children’s learning at home and in school. It offers a variety of educational tools, including e-books, games, and activities, all aligned with the UK National Curriculum.

Important Features

• Includes reading tips and teaching math to help parents support their child’s learning at home.
• Teachers can access lesson plans and curriculum-linked resources for classroom use.
• It offers over 250 free eBooks tailored for children aged 3 to 11.
• Includes fiction, nonfiction, and phonics-based books supporting various reading levels.
• Fun learning games focusing on spelling, grammar, and vocabulary.
• Keeps children interested while using play to bolster important ideas.
• Provides phonics-based learning materials to help young students build essential literacy skills.
• It’s ideal for parents and teachers working with early readers and struggling students.
• A wide range of free printable resources for additional practice at home or in the classroom.
• It Supports subjects beyond reading, such as math and science.
• Easy navigation makes it simple for children to browse and choose books alone.
• Accessible on mobile devices, tablets, and computers for seamless learning anywhere.
• Younger children can follow along more easily with books with a read-aloud option.
• Improves reading comprehension and listening skills.

Benefits

• Enhanced Literacy Skills
• Confidence Building
• Convenient Access

ReadWorks provides thousands of reading passages, articles, and lesson plans. Teachers love it because the content aligns with school curricula, and parents can use it at home to support their children’s reading comprehension. This website provides teachers and students with top-notch, scientifically proven reading resources. It aims to address the reading comprehension crisis in the United States.

Important Features

• Provides tools to adjust reading levels and assign materials based on individual student needs.
• Each reading passage includes multiple-choice and open-ended questions to assess comprehension.
• Thousands of fiction and nonfiction texts across various topics, including science, history, and literature.
• Grade level, topic, and Lexile score are used to sort passages so students can easily find appropriate content.
• With the platform, you can learn wherever and whenever you like on computers, tablets, and smartphones.

Benefits

• Bridges Classroom and Home Learning
• Supports Struggling Readers
• Encourages Independent Learning
• Improves Reading Comprehension

Funbrain is a popular online learning platform designed to make learning fun and engaging for children. It is an educational website designed for children in Pre-K through 8th grade. It offers a variety of games that focus on math, reading, and general knowledge to engage and educate kids in a fun way.

Important Features

• Access to popular books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Amelia Writes Again.
• Books are divided into chapters to encourage continuous reading.
• Educational videos on science, history, and language arts.
• Fun and engaging animated series available for free.
• A learning-based game that includes math, reading, and logic.
• Age-specific games to match children’s developmental levels.
• The platform offers a child-safe space without intrusive ads.
• Easy navigation, ideal for young stars.

Benefits

• Makes learning fun
• Helps children develop essential skills
• Supports reading and Literacy
• Provides personalized learning experiences
• Offers resources for teachers

Starfall is a phonics-based educational platform designed to develop early reading skills. It offers Engaging activities, stories, and games designed to enhance children’s learning, particularly in reading and mathematics, making it a popular tool for both schools and homes.

Important Features

• Focuses on teaching children phonemic awareness and sound-letter relationships.
• It Includes engaging lessons with letter sounds, word building, and interactive storytelling.
• Colorful animations and audio guidance that are perfect for young learners.
• Read-aloud options help children follow along with texts.
• They offer a variety of reading games, puzzles, and songs to reinforce learning.
• Activities align with early childhood education standards.
• Primary content is free, with additional features accessible through a low-cost subscription.
• Accessible across different devices, including tablets, smartphones, and desktop browsers.

Benefits

• Fun and exciting learning
• Effective teaching of phonics
• Improved reading comprehension
• Early literacy skills
• Increased vocabulary

The International Children’s Digital Library (ICDL) is an online platform offering a diverse collection of children’s books worldwide. The ICDL provides free access to literature in multiple languages to kids of all ages and backgrounds, helping foster cultural understanding and promote a love of reading.

Important Features

• ICDL offers many children’s books from various cultures and languages.
• Many books on the platform are interactive, allowing children to engage with the story through games, puzzles, and quizzes.
• The library provides books in multiple languages, promoting cultural understanding and language learning.
• ICDL is a free online library, making it accessible to children worldwide.
• They expose children to diverse cultures and perspectives through international literature.
• It Helps kids become empathetic and open-minded by learning about different ways of life.
• Its ideal for children learning new languages, offering stories in both native and foreign languages.
• Teachers can use ICDL to introduce children to multicultural stories in the classroom.
• Children and parents can engage in meaningful conversations about other cultures and traditions by reading family-friendly books.
• Learning about different ways of life helps kids become empathetic and open-minded.
• It is ideal for children learning new languages, offering stories in both native and foreign languages.

Benefits

• Encourages Global Literacy
• Supports Language Learning
• Promotes Independent Reading
• Valuable Resource for Parents and Teachers

Unite for Literacy is an online library that provides free, accessible books designed to foster early Literacy in young children. It offers digital picture books in multiple languages with narration, ensuring every child can develop reading skills, regardless of background or native language. Their primary mission is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to read and learn.

Important Features

• They provide extensive picture books on subjects like nature, animals, families, and more.
• These books are designed to engage beginning students with vibrant illustrations and simple texts.
• Books are organized into categories, making it easy for students to find stories that interest them.
• Simple navigation ensures children can explore the library alone.
• Narration in over 40 languages, including Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, and Swahili.
• Children can listen to stories in their native language or explore new ones.
• Works seamlessly on computers, tablets, and smartphones, offering reading access anywhere, anytime.
• Requires no downloads or subscriptions, making it convenient for families and educators.

Benefits

• Improved Literacy Skills
• Cultural Awareness
• Language Development
• Independent Learning
• Family Engagement

The TumbleBook Library is a digital library that offers many animated storybooks, e-books, and instructional videos. It is intended to help students of all ages find reading exciting and fun.

Important Features

• Animated storybooks that bring stories to life with sound effects and movement.
• Audiobook options allow children to listen to stories, fostering a love for books even if they are not yet fluent readers.
• Fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, and educational videos.
• They offers read-along texts with word-by-word highlighting, improving reading fluency.
• Some books are available in multiple languages, including Spanish and French, to support bilingual learning.
• Provides quizzes, puzzles, and games related to the books, making learning fun and interactive.
• Teachers can create customized lesson plans using the platform’s features.
• Available on computers, tablets, and smartphones, ensuring easy access from home or school.
• Requires a library membership or institutional access, but many schools and public libraries offer it for free.

Benefits

• Engaging Learning Experience
• Improved Reading Skills
• Enhanced Digital Literacy
• Access to Diverse Content
• Convenient Access

Exploring the best free reading websites for elementary students helps foster a love for books while building essential literacy skills. Platforms like TumbleBook Library, ICDL, and Unite for Literacy offer engaging content tailored to different needs, ensuring children enjoy reading and grow academically. Whether through interactive stories, audiobooks, or multilingual texts, these resources are perfect for making reading fun and accessible.

As parents and educators, using these tools ensures that children enjoy reading while building strong foundational skills that will benefit them throughout their academic journey. Explore these websites with your child to find the perfect fit and embark on an exciting reading adventure together.

Happy reading!