How to Create A Children's Library In Your Home

Literacy and a life long love of learning begins at home. Children's toys don't have to take over your living spaces. Instead of toy shelves in every room, try making one corner into a library for your kids. Show your children the importance of books by creating a special place for them to read.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A space for your library
• A small bookshelf
• One or two comfortable kid-sized chairs
• A rug
• Books
• Educational toys

1. 
    

   BEGIN by clearing out a corner for your Library.

2. 
    

   PUT DOWN A RUG. Preferably a solid color but if you already own a kid rug use what you have. Free is better.

3. 
    

   MOVE IN THE BOOKSHELF. This shelf was purchased at a Big Box Store for less than $20. It was an assemble-yourself that took all of five minutes to put together.

4. 
    

   SET OUT SOME CHAIRS. I picked two kid-sized arm chairs that we already owned. One day I'd like to cover them so they match (the room and each other) but for now they're comfortable and the kid's don't even notice.

5. 
    

   STACK ON SOME BOOKS. The idea here isn't to have a place to store all your children's books but to provide a place that inspires quiet reading. Putting all of your books on this shelf can be overwhelming to your child. Start with 10-15 and rotate on a weekly basis.

6. 
    

   PUT OUT SOME EDUCATIONAL TOYS. Puzzles, wooden spelling games, plastic gears and a magnetic dress-up doll all live on our library shelf.

7. 
    

   STEP BACK and admire your library. Invite the kids in to read a book or work on a puzzle. Enjoy the calm.

Tips & Warnings

• You could use your home library as a place to store your library books. Then you'd always know where you put the library books.
• If your children are old enough to use it without breaking it, try putting a CD or MP3 player in their library.

[gahazeleyes]

on 5/4/2009 Lovely, this article is very good for my sister. She has 3 bookcases of books for her family. They all enjoy reading.

[00Analana]

on 12/10/2008 Thanks for this great idea!

[yourmamasaidwha]

on 12/8/2008 great ideas! thanks so much for the great article! i've been looking for a reason to visit the big box store...

[gessie]

on 12/8/2008 Oh that is so neat. That is a really cool idea.
Thanks

[MommyBear]

on 12/8/2008 Cool! Great job. I love seeing the transformation in the pix. :) 5*****