How to create a cosy reading corner for kids

A good selection of Tonies and books is a great way of helping little listeners become super-charged readers, and then some soft lighting and comfy cushions is all you need to give them a cosy spot to settle in. It can be a little corner in the bedroom, the playroom, or the hidden space under the stairs.

We’ve put together some great ideas to help inspire you if you’re looking to design somewhere your little bookworms can go to read and listen to their heart’s content. The clever folks at The National Literacy Trust say that ‘Listening to stories can help reluctant readers overcome barriers to reading enjoyment and deepen comprehension of the story.”

Terrific tales 

First things first, we’re going to need the best of the best books and Tonies! Stories like Peter Rabbit and Elmer are ideal for preschoolers (with a little reading help from parents) as they help them to develop natural curiosities whilst being soothing, perfect for bedtime. For children approaching school age, stories by Julia Donaldson like The Gruffalo and The Stick Man are great for introducing them to new words and adventures. If you have older kiddies, Roald Dahl is a sure hit with his weird and wonderful worlds, some favourites include Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Keep them engaged by rotating their Tonies and adding new characters when possible.

Super storage

But how are you going to store all of this listening and reading material? Lucky for you we’ve got loaaaaads of storage solutions that can all be within kids’ reach. The IKEA trolley hack is perfect for parking up next to a beanbag on the floor, so they can grab a Tonie or a book whenever they like and it gives you the option of moving it out of the way when reading and listening time’s over. If you’d rather mount a shelf on the wall, we love this pack of two metal shelves from John Lewis, one for books, one for Tonies! Or try our original tonies® shelves which look fab in themed nooks.

Comfy cushions

Outfit the space with plenty of throws and cosy cushions to make it inviting and comfortable for long listening and reading sessions. A bean bag or floor pillow will let little ones sink in comfortably and move their seat around easily. Add in extra comfort with some soft toy reading buddies.

Ambient atmosphere

Soft and warm lighting is key. Think fairy string lights or small dimmable lamps that will help to spread out the light throughout the space and create a calm feeling. For listeners that like to migrate from nook to bed, something rechargeable and portable like the Sleepy Sheep Night Light is a great choice.

So there you have it… Some simple ways to encourage your child’s love of reading. Did you know that listening to audiobooks has a powerfully positive effect on children’s early reading skills. And, when they’re aaaaall grown up, their reading nook can then transform into a study space! Win win.