My 5-year-old loved playing with cars. After school, she’d line them up, build tracks around the living room, and create elaborate backstories for every single one. But when it came time to practice her sight words, her energy stalled. So one day, I turned those words into “parking spots.” That kid shifted into giggles and then zoomed her cars into slots, completely unaware she was actually learning.
As moms, we know our kids learn best when they’re excited about what they’re doing. Whether they’re really into playing Minecraft, climbing trees, or collecting Squishmallows, their passions can become go-to tools for learning through play. Here are 5 simple ways to sneak learning into what your child already loves to do.
1. Extend screen time into story time.
My daughter’s love of cars started with the movie Cars (and plenty of repeat viewings during family nights). Instead of worrying about screen time, I used her movie obsession to spark reading. Your child’s favorite show or game can do the same.
If your kid is obsessed with Minecraft, give him a book about architecture, coding, or geology (might as well learn about diamond mining for real!). If your little one is into Bluey, Peppa Pig, or Curious George, look for stories about friendship, family, or kindness (or books featuring those characters). Connecting what kids watch to what they read builds a bridge between entertainment and learning that they won’t even notice they’ve crossed.
Your local librarian can help you find the perfect fit. Or, if you live in Florida, check out the New Worlds Reading Initiative. This free at-home literacy program sends books matched to your child’s interests, so every delivery feels handpicked.
Try this: Learning through play can be as simple as keeping a few themed books near the TV or tablet. After a show ends, say, “Hey, I found a book about that!” Or, visit the library together and let your child choose stories that match his favorite screen adventures.
2. Let your child teach you about her obsession.
When our kids are into something, we can sneak in a little learning upgrade by asking our children to teach us what they know. Studies show that when kids get to “be the teacher,” they actually remember more. Researchers call that the protégé effect.
In one study, students who taught someone else spent more time engaged in reading, reviewing, and problem-solving (and learned more) than students who thought they were learning just for themselves. Turns out that when kids teach, they process ideas on a deeper level, and the sense of responsibility keeps them motivated.
Try this: Ask questions that show you’re genuinely curious about learning from him: “What makes an Allosaurus different from the T. rex?” or “Why did the referee call that offside?” You can even let him assign you a little homework, like a video to watch or a book to read. Then come back together and talk about it!
3. Turn your child’s everyday questions into learning moments.
My oldest once asked why her tummy growls when she’s hungry, and before I knew it, we found a kid-friendly app about the body and had a mini-biology lesson on digestion. Young kids are natural question-askers (you know that’s true!), and every “why” or “how” that your child asks is a perfect opportunity to sneak in some learning.
So when your kid asks which Pokémon card is stronger, that’s math practice waiting to happen as she adds up
hit points or compares trading values. Or when she asks, “Mom, what kind of leaf is this?” that’s a little science thrown into your walk as you figure out the answer together.
Try this: When your child gets curious, sneak in a little learning through play by wondering out loud with her. Ask questions like, “Where else have you seen something like this?” or “Why do you think it works that way?” Curiosity grows best when you explore the answers together.
4. Let your child’s playtime spill over into projects.
Here’s where things get really fun! Those curious “why” questions can expand into full-blown projects. When kids make something inspired by what they love (and what triggers their curiosity), learning happens. They’re testing ideas, figuring out what works, and learning from what doesn’t. And kids think they’re playing the whole time because they are.
Try this: Encourage your child to level up her interest. If your child’s obsessed with building LEGO castles, encourage her to create a “tour guide” video for her creation. If your little chef loves pretend cooking, find a simple kids cookbook and make a real recipe together. Or your gamer can design a board game with rules and scorecards.
5. Find books that don’t feel like “books.”
Some kids find comic books, podcasts, and audiobooks more appealing than traditional books. But those sneak in real literacy skills too. Graphic novels help kids build vocabulary and comprehension by pairing images with text in ways that make words stick. Audiobooks spark interest in reading for nearly 40% of kids who listen to them, especially for struggling readers.
Programs like New Worlds Reading make this easy by offering interest-based books in multiple formats, including graphic novel–style stories that hook even the most reluctant readers.
Try this: Check out audiobooks from your local library and use them on road trips or for quiet after-school time. Or find a podcast you can both listen to together in the car. My kids loved listening to the podcast series The Unexplained Disappearance of Mars Patel.
How do you sneak learning into playtime using what your child already loves?
