43 Free Reading Websites with Online Readers for Kids

Traditional printed books can be expensive, so alternatives are great. Whether you’re a teacher trying to prepare for reading online or a parent looking for ways to keep kids engaged over the summer vacation months, it can be challenging to sift through the amount of free readers online.

There are many great benefits to reading, and in today’s digital age, there are a wealth of free online reading websites available for kids. These websites can help children develop their reading skills, explore different genres, and find books that interest them.

We are so excited to share our list of free websites for digital reading – including quality free online readers!

With these online resources, your student will have unlimited access to diverse literature in an engaging format without spending a single cent. From picture books to popular novels and everything in between, our selection of free websites offers something for every reader – no matter their age and interests! Get ready for hours upon hours of educational fun as you explore this amazing world of digital reading together.

If you are looking for websites specifically with audiobooks, I have another post that lists many ways teachers can access free audiobooks for kids. This post is focused on online readers where students can read the words on the screen. For the below online readers, the words of the text are on the page. The text may be read aloud or there may be no audio format available.

Why consider using FREE Reading Websites instead of physical books?

Online reading websites can be a powerful supplement to physical books for several reasons.

• First and foremost, they are highly accessible. With internet connectivity becoming increasingly widespread, children can access an array of books anytime, anywhere, at the click of a button. It’s like having an entire library in your pocket!
• Second, online readers often come with interactive features, such as animations, sound effects, and interactive quizzes, that make reading more engaging and fun – a crucial factor in fostering a love for reading.
• Third, online readers can be easier on the budget, offering countless free or low-cost books.
• Finally, they’re environmentally friendly, reducing the need for paper and aiding in conservation efforts.

So, while physical books are my go-to resource for kids, online readers provide a handy, engaging, and sustainable alternative to expand your child’s access to books.

Here are some of the best free reading websites for kids: Monkey Pen, FunBrain, Free Kids Books, ManyBooks, Oxford Owl, Tumble Books, Story Place, ReadWorks, Newsela, and Get Epic. With these sites, you can build a classroom of engaged readers.

Want to know more about these free reading websites? Here is a list of my top 13 with details about why I like them, then a list of more reading sites to check out on your own.

1. Monkey Pen

The first on our list of free online readers is, Monkey Pen, offers a delightful collection of free children’s books online. This treasure trove of digital literature is designed to promote a love for reading among kids.

The stories, beautifully illustrated and easy-to-navigate, are designed to captivate children’s imagination, making learning and reading a pleasure rather than a chore.

And the best part? It’s entirely free! Whether you’re looking for a bedtime story for your toddler or an intriguing adventure for your older child, Monkey Pen ensures that quality reading is accessible to everyone, no matter where they are.

2. Fun Brain

Next on the list is Fun Brain, a platform that truly lives up to its name by making learning an engaging, enjoyable experience. Specifically tailored for elementary students, the site offers free online readers that cater to various reading levels.

Scroll to the bottom to select the grade level. Fun Brain includes fun-filled comics to more serious chapter books, all designed to accommodate the diverse tastes of young readers. The website’s user-friendly design makes it easy for kids to navigate through the collection and pick a book that resonates with them.

Fun Brain’s commitment to providing free, quality literary resources makes it an excellent tool for fostering a lifelong love for reading among the young ones. You can access their fabulous library at Fun Brain.

3. Free Kids Books

Free Kids Books: The name says it all. This extraordinary platform, Free Kids Books, is a haven for teachers seeking a wide array of free online readers.

Embracing a broad spectrum of genres – from classics and fairy tales to adventure books – the site provides an accessible and engaging reading environment for children of all ages. The easy, user-friendly interface allows books to be read online, downloaded as a PDF, or printed, offering flexibility to cater to different reading preferences.

With Free Kids Books, teachers can enrich their classroom library with quality digital literature without incurring any cost. This website is a gem for educators dedicated to fostering a love of reading in their students.

4. ManyBooks

A paradise for book lovers, ManyBooks offers an extensive catalogue of free online readers. This invaluable platform boasts more than 50,000 free eBooks, making it a comprehensive resource for teachers seeking to diversify their classroom material.

Ranging from timeless classics like to science fiction adventures, the site hosts books that cater to every student’s interests . The books are geared toward older readers. If you have students who love reading the classics, this is the site for them!

The intuitive user-friendly interface makes it easy for teachers to browse and download books in various formats including PDF, Kindle, ePub, and many others. With ManyBooks, teachers and parents will want to filter the books students are allowed to read. This website isn’t just for kids, so it includes books at all levels.

A special feature on ManyBooks is the built-in book review section, allowing educators to read others’ opinions and choose the most suitable books for their students. With ManyBooks, teachers can truly open up a world of reading for their students at no cost.

5. Oxford Owl

An invaluable resource for educators and parents alike, Oxford Owl has a wide selection of free online readers especially designed to support children’s learning at home and at school. The platform presents an expansive digital library where you can access over 250 free eBooks, sorted by age group and reading level.

Apart from a diverse collection of engaging stories, Oxford Owl also provides insightful guidance for parents and teachers on how to support children in their reading journey.

This resourceful platform definitely makes for an ideal companion in fostering not just a love for reading, but a love for learning in children.

6. Tumble Books

Tumble Books is yet another remarkable resource for online readers. While it is a paid subscription, teachers may be able to access it for free through their school district or local public library system. It’s worth checking to see if you might have free access to it.

Tumble Books is a digital library designed specifically for kids. The platform offers interactive eBooks and more, making learning a multi-dimensional experience. Stories come to life engaging kids and encouraging them to read and explore.

What sets Tumble Books apart is its dedication to accessibility – many of the books are available in different languages, ensuring that children from diverse backgrounds can enjoy the magic of literature. With Tumble Books, reading becomes an adventure that kids look forward to.

7. Story Place

Story Place, a digital library crafted especially for pre-schoolers, offers a unique, interactive learning experience. This engaging platform is filled with free online books, activities, and games, all designed to foster early literacy in young children.

Each thematic unit on the site comprises an online story, online activity, printable activity, and a parent guide, so learning extends beyond the website.

What makes Story Place truly special is its fully animated stories where characters come to life, ensuring that storytelling is an exciting and immersive experience for young learners. This is a fantastic resource for parents and educators aiming to instill a love for reading and learning at an early age.

8. ReadWorks

ReadWorks is an exceptional online resource providing educators and parents with high-quality, research-based tools designed to improve reading comprehension. Offering a vast collection of authentic texts in various genres, the platform truly caters to diverse reading interests and abilities. It is wonderful for classroom teachers!

ReadWorks also provides question sets to accompany each reading passage, which help strengthen comprehension skills and deepen students’ understanding of the text.

An added advantage is the adjustable Lexile level that allows the content to be customized to each student’s reading ability, ensuring a personalized learning experience. As a free resource, ReadWorks is an invaluable tool for fostering literacy skills and cultivating a love for reading in students.

9. Newsela

Newsela stands as an innovative, dynamic platform providing educators and students with a diverse range of engaging articles across various subjects. The platform takes authentic content from trusted news sources, and finely tunes it to students’ reading levels, making complex topics accessible and comprehensible for all.

With hundreds of daily news articles and a library that spans literature, science, social studies, and more, Newsela ensures students remain engaged and informed, while fostering critical thinking skills. A standout feature is the platform’s ability to let teachers track and measure students’ progress, truly making it a versatile tool in enhancing literacy and promoting in-depth learning. This resource is a phenomenal asset to have in the modern educational landscape.

10. Get Epic

Get Epic: Yet another spectacular resource for teachers and parents, Get Epic, is an expansive digital library that hosts a wealth of online readers. GetEpic is not a completely free resource, but may be available to your classroom through a school or district subscription.

This platform is dedicated to instilling a love for reading in children, offering a vast array of books catering to different age groups, reading levels, and genres.

The site’s robust collection includes everything from picture books and novels to educational books and audiobooks. Unique to Get Epic is its highly personalized approach – it recommends books based on the child’s interests and reading level, providing a tailored reading experience.

For teachers, Get Epic is a goldmine of resources. The platform offers the option to create virtual classrooms, assign books, and track students’ reading progress, making it an invaluable tool in today’s digital learning environment.

11. Libby

Libby is connected with your local library.  If your library carries the ebook, you can likely find it on Libby and read it on your device. You can often download books to your Kindle, too.

We personally have library cards from two local libraries to expand our options on Libby. This is my kids’ go-to app to find books they want to read.

12. Unite for Literacy

Unite for Literacy is a great resource for finding free reading materials for people of all ages and backgrounds. They offer various children’s books on topics including animals, plants, food, the earth and sky, technology, healthy living, family, friends, community, creativity, and learning. 

Additionally, the site provides educational games and activities to help children learn and grow, making it a well-rounded resource for anyone looking to improve their literacy skills or enjoy a good read.

13. Bookshare

Book Share is a fantastic resource for children with learning disabilities. This online library offers a vast collection of accessible eBooks, audiobooks, and learning materials that can be customized to suit individual needs. 

The best part? 

It’s completely free for US students with qualifying learning differences thanks to funding from the US Department of Education. By providing tailored reading experiences, Book Share empowers children to overcome challenges and develop a love of reading.

11-42 Additional Websites with Online Reading Resources for Kids

The following websites are additional websites for online books and reading passages. Some of them have print on the page, some of them are printable PDFs and some are books read aloud to students. Others are complete online learning platforms for students. Not all of the below resources are exclusively for kids, so you’ll want to peruse the websites before giving students access to them.

14. International Children’s Library
15. CommonLit
16. Read to Me
17. Tween Tribune
18. iStory Books
19. Ducksters
20. Project Gutenberg
21. Whooo’s Reading
22. Planet EBook
23. Reading IQ
24. Amazon Free eBooks
25. Free-Ebooks.net
26. Roy, Tale of a Singing Zebra
27. Scholastic News
28. Freckle
29. ReadWriteThink
30. Read Theory
31. MobyMax
32. PebbleGo.
33. Starfall
34. Khan Academy
35. Project Gutenberg
36. Planet eBooks
37. Between the Lions Early Reading Collection
38. Explorer Magazine
39. Into the Book
40. Learning Ally
41. Smashwords

Do you have some more online reading resources for students that are not on the list? I’d love to know about them! Leave a comment below and let me know!