What better way to get kids reading than create a space for them to do it in? No need for upscale book nook ideas; you probably have everything you need laying around somewhere in your home. All you need to do is cobble together a cozy spot in a corner of your child’s room, on the sun porch, in the basement, or under a tree, and even your most reluctant reader will settle in for a long, juicy read.
While you may want to surprise your young reader with a cool new book nook, it could be a good idea to involve your child in the design and development of her reading space, particularly if you feel she doesn’t read enough. By having an active role in coming up with book nook ideas, your child will be more likely to spend time in there.
You may also want to lay some ground rules for your child’s book nook. For example, restricting the use of electronics—or anything other than books, for that matter. You want your child to associate her new spot with reading, rather than turning it into a ‘gaming corner’ or a doll’s house. Your child will probably want to use her book nook for everything she can think of when it’s new, but if she does, she may lose her motivation to grab a book and snuggle in.
Here are 7 book nook ideas to start designing your child’s book nook, but I’m sure you can come up with many more!
7 BEST BOOK NOOK IDEAS
A THEME
Start with a theme. How does your child want to feel while he’s in his book nook? Like he’s sitting on a cloud? In a forest? Under a rainbow? Your theme will inform the colors, textures, and props you’ll want to fill the space with. If your child has a favorite book, movie, or superhero, start there. Keep it simple. If he loves Spiderman, Spiderman stickers and a poster will do.
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SEATING
This may seem obvious, but you’ll need a nice, comfy chair. Children are used to sitting in chairs that don’t fit; kids are flexible and can tuck their feet up however they need to. But if the chair actually fits, it will be easier for your child to stay put for a longer period of time. Make sure your child’s feet rest flat on the floor and there’s plenty of room in the seat for her to sit with her feet up if she wants to.
If you can’t find the perfect-sized chair, a beanbag chair will do. Child-sized beanbag chairs can accommodate kids of all sizes, so this may be a great option if multiple children are going to use your book nook. Please make sure your beanbag chair has built-in safety features, as some beanbag chairs are not appropriate for children.
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LAP DESK
Speaking of comfort, books can get pretty heavy. (Think Harry Potter!) A small lap desk is a useful tool for small hands to comfortably balance a book for an hour or two. Nothing complicated, just a flat surface on a soft, beanbag-style base will do.
SMALL SHELF
While you may have many books in your home, turn your child’s book nook into a sacred space for a few favorites. Library books go in there, too, so your child gets through them before they’re due. A small bookshelf—or even an old milk crate—is all you need for storage.
COLORED PENS AND PAPER
A bright array of multi-color pens or pencils and a blank journal—even better, a diary with a lock on it—is the perfect complement to a good book. Encourage your child to engage with what she’s reading by inviting her to make a note or draw a picture of how she feels when she reads a certain passage. Taking thoughtful breaks from reading will inspire your child to ponder and reflect, rather than racing through a book to find out what happens at the end.
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COMPANION
One of the best book nook ideas is to let your child choose a stuffed toy that ‘lives’ in his book nook. This companion stays in there all the time, waiting for your child to snuggle in with a can’t-put-it-down book. Your child can also read aloud to his companion or share thoughts about what he’s reading. When children talk out loud about what they’re reading, they learn to create meaning out of stories, which is what reading is all about, right?
TENT
There’s nothing that says cozy like a tent! While there are many options for purchasing indoor tents for kids, a simple sheet is fine, too. Children love to crawl into private spaces where they can be in charge of their world, at least for a while. Make sure the fabric is lightweight—even see-through—so it doesn’t get too stuffy in there.
Once you’ve implemented your book nook ideas and your book nook is ready for reading, name it! Is it Hannah’s Happy Corner? Tyler’s Treasure Island? Let your child come up with ideas; to name something is to create ownership. Make a cheerful sign to hang outside that tells everybody this book nook belongs to a serious reader.
Now it’s time to read! Invite your child to choose a special book to initiate her new space, and once she’s settled in, slip out quietly so she can get lost in her nook—and her book.
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Photo Credits: Pexels, Unsplash
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