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12 Benefits to Creating Kids' Reading Spaces
- Jennifer Noel Wilson
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
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Where was your favorite reading spot as a kid? Why was it your favorite spot? Did your parents spend time reading to you there? Or maybe you found a quiet spot where you were the least distracted.
My husband and I had a few places in our home where we read to our kids. Sometimes it was under a homemade fort of blankets, on the couch, their beds, or my favorite rocking chair. My goal was for my kids to love reading and become better readers than me. I struggled with reading and comprehension growing up and I didn’t want that for my kids. So, I did my best to create cozy places to read, make reading fun, and a priority.
I have loved seeing so many creative reading nooks for kids (and adults)! What a fun idea! Whether you create an actual nook, or just find a consistent cozy place, the point is to encourage reading for your kids. Here are some benefits to creating a fun, consistent, inviting reading space.
1.    Increases a child’s desire to read
Creating a fun, welcoming space kindles a child’s desire to spend time in that place. Fill the nook with their favorite books that will encourage them to read over and over again. Wondering how to find great books for your kids to read? Check out this wonderful article by Focus on the Family’s Sheila Seifert. Read Here.
2.    Encourages children to stay off screens
The more children desire to spend time in their reading nook surrounded by books, the less time they will spend on screens. (Hint: Be sure to keep screens out of sight and reach from their reading spot.)
3.    Builds literacy skills and reading comprehension
Providing a consistent reading spot allows kids to read more. The more kids read, the better they become at spelling, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing.
4.    Builds confident readers
When you allow a space for independent reading, avoid pressure, make it fun, and establish a routine, you help build a cheerful, positive, long-term reader.
5.    Ignites Imagination, Play & Creativity
When kids read, they learn more about this world God created, enter new worlds, meet new characters, and experience new adventures. This creates a catalyst for kids to explore and dream. I remember when my boys would construct their own new worlds and adventures through imagination and play after reading books.
6.    Helps decrease distractions during reading
Using a tent or canopy and finding a quiet spot for kids to hide in during reading, provides a barrier to outside distractions. This helps kids to better focus and concentrate.
7.  Provides comfort and a place to decompress
Sometimes kids can be overstimulated after a day at school, a social outing, or other event. Kids will gravitate toward a quiet, comfortable place where they can relax. What better way to unwind than in a cozy spot with a bean bag or comfy chair, pillows, blankets, even a stuffed animal as a reading buddy, and a good book.
8. Celebrates personal creativity
Decorate the reading nook with your kids’ own artwork to honor their masterpieces. Kids will be excited to see their own art in their reading nook and desire even more to spend time in that space.
9.    Builds consistent reading habits
A tangible, inviting place to read with a dependable routine allows children to build consistent reading habits. When my kids were little, we had a rocking chair we often sat in to read together. Some of my favorite memories are when the kids would grab a book and hop up into that chair to read all on their own or to each other.
10.    Teaches organization
Let kids help you pick out a special place to keep their books in their book nook. Will you use a bookshelf, cubbies, basket, or bins? After you choose, have your kids help you set up and place the books where they belong.
11. Reading together strengthens family bonds
Read to your kids to help strengthen family bonding. The reading nook creates a welcoming, fun, comfortable place to spend time making positive memories together. There are so many benefits of reading to your children. Learn more here.
12. Sparks a love for reading
When you incorporate all the above—creating a fun, welcoming, cozy, quiet, screen-free, distraction-free, inviting place for reading that ignites imagination, celebrates your child, incorporates books they want to read over and over again, provides room for independence but also time to make family memories—you spark a love for reading in your child that can last their whole life.
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I’d love to hear where you read with your kids. Share ideas in the comments so we can all learn. If you are looking for more great books for your kids, head over to my reading blog where I annually list all my favorites. Happy reading!
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Links to my Annual Recommended Reading Lists
