Build a Children’s Reading Den

Loving the blue! (Credit: Miles Kelly)

We love those little cosy corners where you can curl up with a book, even if you can only ‘disappear’ for 10 minutes. Children love to squirrel themselves away too & love nothing more than a secret place to spend some time with a pile of books, a cuddly friend & an obligatory torch! This got us thinking about building a Reading Den for our daughter.

Reading Dens are great for…

• Injecting a bit of fun into family life. Making a den is fab, especially if you can get your children involved in both the design & build.
• Encouraging you to step into your child’s world & strengthening that family bond — Tell your kiddie to budge up so you can share their reading space.
• Easing any of your children’s anxieties when reading new books for the first time, be it trying trickier stories, new genres or helping with that niggly kiddie self-doubt with their reading ability. We certainly feel better if we can have a go at something new ‘behind closed doors’ (or curtains!)
• Claiming your own space — Don’t know about you but sometimes we just need to be able to escape from other family members, however tolerant we are!

Using a Travel Cot to make a Reading Den — What a fantastic idea! (Credit: Miles Kelly)

The Nitty Gritty of Reading Den Building:

• Find the space for your den — Have you got space under your stairs, do you have an corner that could be partitioned off or maybe you’ve got a big enough space for something free-standing?
• Get your little one to do a quick sketch — This will give you an idea of what s/he thinks it should look like, preferred size/colour/shape & what materials could be used. More importantly, it’s also good for setting expectations early on! Remember you can keep it simple, like this fab cardboard box den

What a fab idea, a box den! (Credit: Miles Kelly)

• Gather up, blag or buy materials — Get rooting around at home, in the garage & attic. Also mention your Reading Den plans to family & friends before going out to buy supplies as it’s amazing what they will have ferreted away. Think about the logistics of the den staying upright & in one piece. Don’t forget a red ribbon & balloons to officially ‘open’ the den!
• Set the Reading Den Build Date— It’s so easy to come up with fab ideas & rush around finding the materials but we then found that we didn’t go ahead with the actually build…So set a ‘Build Date’ early on!
• Build your Den — Make a day of it! Gather everyone together with your materials & go through your building plans. Get going but remember to stand back every now & then to admire your good work. Remember to take a break so tempers don’t get frayed (Get snacks & drinks to hand for those den build breaks!)
• Fill your Den — What do your children want to put in the den? Think cushions, blankets, cuddly toy or two & lights/torch…oh & don’t forget the books!
• Officially open your Reading Den — Get a red ribbon & balloons in place. Get the family together & invite special guests like Gran. Maybe your little one would like to give a little speech to ‘open’ the Reading Den. Perhaps have a little afternoon tea to celebrate.
• Dive in & enjoy! — Let your child take the lead for Reading Den use. I’m sure s/he will want to have first dibs. Make sure that you join in if invited or let him/her have the space to themself if that’s requested…You can always sneak in when no-one is looking ;o)

HAPPY DEN BUILDING!

Wow, this is beautiful. Can we build an adult-sized one! (Credit: Miles Kelly)

Our inspiration came from the Scottish Book Trust & Miles Kelly websites. We also love this Kitchen Fun with my 3 sons’ article

To do something great with your Den Building, check out Save the Children’s Den Day

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