Picture Walks: Make Reading Interactive and Fun for Kids
What is a Picture Walk?
A picture walk is a fun and interactive way for kids to learn how to read before they can read every word on the page.
Before you read the words in a book, you and your child look at the pictures throughout the book. You and your child talk about what’s happening in each picture, guess what will happen next, and predict how the story might unfold.
This easy strategy helps kids:
- Make story sequencing stronger
- Make predictions and draw conclusions
- Build up their confidence in reading
💡Kids are already thinking like readers when they talk about pictures. They notice details, ask questions, and connect ideas!
🎨 Picture Walk Example: The kite that danced in the wind
To show how a picture walk works, I created a short InstaDoodle story called “The Kite That Danced in the Wind.”
It’s a playful story about Finn, a brave boy whose colorful kite slips from his hands and gets stuck high in a tree. With teamwork, problem-solving, and a bit of creativity, Finn and his friends figure out how to rescue the kite!
Watch the InstaDoodle below:
🧠 How to Use Picture Walks at Home
You can use this same method at home to help your child understand what they read.
Step 1: Look at the Photos
Take a “picture walk” before you read. Look through the book together and talk about what you see.
Inquire:
- “What’s going on here?”
- “Who are the people?”
Step 2: Predict What Will Happen
Ask your child to predict what might happen next.
Ask:
- “What do you think the character will do?”
- “How do they feel at this moment?”
Step 3: Look at the pictures to predict the problem and solution of the story
Talk about the problem and solution based on what is shown in the pictures before you read it.
Inquire:
- “What might be the problem?”
- “How do you think they solve the problem?”
Step 4: Make personal connections to the story
Ask your child to tell you about a time when they helped a friend, solved a problem, or were proud of something they did.
🗣️These discussions help kids understand and care about what they read, which are two important skills for becoming a strong, confident reader.
🌈Why picture walks work:
Picture walks turn reading into a conversation, not a quiz.
They help children:
- Notice story structure (beginning, middle, end)
- Use context clues from illustrations
- Strengthen language development
- Feel engaged and confident while reading
They’re also a wonderful way to connect with your child – and remind them that stories are meant to be understood and enjoyed!
🏠Try it today
Grab your favorite picture book, sit beside your child, and take a few minutes to explore the illustrations together.
You’ll be amazed by how much they can infer – and how much fun it becomes to “walk” through a story side by side.
If your child struggles with decoding or comprehension, picture walks can make reading feel less intimidating and more joyful.
💬want more Reading strategies?
Follow me on Instagram @shakyalearningco to see more InstaDoodle stories designed to help children build strong reading skills in a fun, visual way!
📞Interested in personalized support?
I offer one-on-one Orton-Gillingham-based reading sessions for K-5 students in Monroe, NC and surrounding areas – with a free 30 minute consultation to get started.