How to encourage or reward reading with a trip to the real place (or as close to real as possible!), from our friends at Common Sense Media [1].

For the average kid, Universal Studios' The Wizarding World of Harry Potter [2] looks like any other expertly designed part of the theme park. But for true fans of the Harry Potter books — including the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two [3] — the snowcapped roofs of Hogsmeade will trigger some major literary excitement. And a visit to the park — either the larger one in Orlando, Fla. or the smaller one in Hollywood, Calif. — can be an awesome way to encourage a kid to read the books or reward the ones who have.

A few things to remember, if you visit: figure out how much money you want to spend ahead of time. Between Butterbeer in a commemorative mug, a Golden Snitch souvenir, and the Ravenclaw robes, you'll be shelling out a pretty penny. The wands — some of which interact with various parts of the park — can run close to $50. The commercialism of the park can really detract from the emphasis on the story — but then again, those Hedwig backpacks are super cute.

Also, even though kids as young as 5 enjoy the books — especially when cozy in bed with a parent reading to them — the main ride at the park, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, can be super intense. Not only does it have the physical scares of a roller coaster, but the 3D imagery involves plenty of near misses, not to mention huge, soul-sucking Dementors.

If you and your kids can handle those issues, the park offers many opportunities to talk about the stories and stoke their book-loving tendencies. As you wind your way through the cobblestone streets, encourage kids to remember the details of each book. Not only is this a fun exercise, but it stimulates their imagination, builds vocabulary skills, and creates a stronger bond between you and your kids.

Try these conversation starters:

• At Ollivanders, ask: What happened when Harry got his first wand?
• After a visit to Honeydukes, recall together the scene where Harry first encountered Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans.
• At the Owl Post, try to remember all the times Harry received a letter from Hedwig.
• Enter Dervish and Banges and decide which house each family member would belong to and why. Who's more Hufflepuff? Or Slytherin?
• In Zonko's Joke Shop, try to place each toy in the correct book (or movie, if that's easier).
• On the ride home from the park, ask everyone to name a character trait that Harry Potter (or another favorite character) embodies. Is it perseverance? Compassion? Humility