DIY Reading Tents



DIY Reading Tents - Top 3 Picks

reading-tents

One of my fondest elementary school memories was taking a pile of books into the “reading bubble” in my first grade classroom. This bubble was really just a clear plastic tent like structure my teacher had fashioned out of who knows what. The idea and feeling of crawling into my own special reading “bubble” all those years ago has stuck with me to this day. There’s something special about escaping into a small, enclosed space as you delve into a great book. I hope one day to create the same warm feelings about reading for my children. Here are some of the ideas I've found for creating a special reading space for kids.

“The Teaching TeePee”

teaching-teepee

It’s this great? This how-to comes from lindsayandandrew.blogspot.com. I love the size of the teepee, and the directions are super thorough. I especially like this one because kids can close it completely for a total reading escape. Check out the full details here.

“The Late Night Readers Retreat”

night-light-read

How cool! I would have loved to have this set up for summer reading when I was a kid. Tents and forts are fun to begin with, but the addition of the chandelier really makes this awesome. See full instructions from tatertots & jello here.

“The Learning Lean-to”

learning-lea-to

I can imagine being a kid, lying in here with a good book as the sun peaks through the fabric. Heavenly! I love the fabrics Marcie from mossymossy.com chose for this. It’s pretty, modern and playful. See her original post here.

Okay, are you missing your childhood yet?

The nice thing about reading tents is it allows kids to physically escape into their own space as they are learning how to mentally escape into literature. Designated reading areas make for a quiet, distraction-free zone where books become the center of children’s attention.

I specifically chose these three designs because they can be made using simple PVC pipe and parts. That makes them durable and affordable for families on a budget (who isn't?!).

Now, the only question I have is – am I too old for one of my own?

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