Having a home library for kids is a great way to encourage reading and having your own books will keep you busy as well. Gathering a large book collection is kind of expensive but with some shopping around, planning, and even asking for free books you can quickly build a new home library without breaking the bank. These 10 smart tips will help you build your home library for kids on a budget.
Why build a home library for kids?
There are many reasons why you would want a home library least of all because it offers a good deal of educational advantage. Early readers statistically do well in schools as reading ignites creativity, sparks curiosity, and stimulates the imagination in young children. As a qualified English teacher, I have always been a lover of books, I was a prolific reader myself as a child and I started reading to my children from a very young age, starting with board books, picture books and nursery rhymes.
I have also been asked when is the best time to read with children and as a teacher and parenting coach my answer is always ‘frequently’. Reading should not be saved for bedtime stories, reading should take place consistently throughout the day and not just as a wind down activity ready for a nap. Stories can be exciting and fun and involve lots of noises, actions and movement so embrace all times for reading.
What does a home library look like?
A home library can be as simple as you like, there are some great ways to store books the important thing is to have plenty to hand. You could choose to use a fixed bookcase that showcases books in a great way – this was my preferred option when my kids were younger. We had one like this one from Amazon or here if buying in the UK as the kids could access the books easily for story time and they showcase the books in creative ways.
A second option is a bookcase on wheels This bookcase is painted with delightful colours and printed with cute pictures, they will easily attract children’s attention and keep their interest. These are similar to what you would find in a children’s public library or school classroom.
A third option if storage is at a premium is to use fabric storage bins these are really handy and can then be stacked or kept away in a cupboard ready for you to bring out each day. Even a shelf space can do the job well, just make sure the books are suitable for the kids ages.
There is no right or wrong way to build a home library for kids what is important is to develop a culture of reading from a young age and the best way is by having plenty of access to all kinds of books from a young age. Having a special spot for reading can make it cosy and exciting you may be able to make a book nook under the stairs, at the top of the landing or in a corner of a room, there is no right way!
What books should be in a home library?
The best books for a friendly home library are diverse and wide-ranging. Choose multicultural books which opens your children’s eyes to differences and help them understand the world around them. Look for diverse characters and diverse lifestyles so that your children are exposed to a rich variety from an early age.
Your home library could include fairy tales as many have good morals for the youngest readers. There is still plenty of value in a classic story that you probably loved as a child yourself. There are so many book recommendations so take inspiration for what you see at baby groups if your kids are young. As they get older kids will start showing an interest in specific genres. My kids loved books where you choose what happened next. Schools can also provide book lists or suggest a number of age-appropriate book.
Poetry books are a great addition and other brands to look out for would be Usborne books and those available from scholastic book fairs as these have all been carefully chosen for their educational benefits for young readers. Many of these books are advertised or promoted by age group which can help you select books that should match your child’s ability in terms of reading levels but also the ability to understand the story and main character.
Finally aim to get a mix of fiction and non-fiction books as children should be reading both in a high-quality library.
Where to shop for used books?
One of the best ways to save money on building your home library for kids is to build it with books that you have found used. Used books sell for a fraction of the cost of new books and can allow you to build your home library for kids for pennies. While used book shops are few and far between there are a lot of great places you can still find used books to build your home library.
- Online used book shops, eBay, and even Amazon can be great places to find used books at a big discount. Amazon has a lot of great deals on used books that many people do not know to look for. Shopping for used books online can be a bit of a challenge if you are looking for a specific book but if you are just browsing for interesting finds you never know what kinds of great deals you will find.
- Many libraries host friends of the library sales where they sell off old books that no longer get much use in the library to make room and earn funds to buy new books. These sales are a great way to support your local library while building up a collection of books for your own home library on a budget. These books can often be well-loved but for often £1 or less it can be a great way to save money on interesting new books for your home library.
- Yard and estate sales are still a great way to find used books for cheap. These sales are great for finding deals on older books that are hard to find or may no longer be in print. Look online for listings to these sales then swing by to browse for interesting finds. You may find great deals on books as well as other items for your home.
- Charity shops or thrift stores are a great way to find used books. Many books and even textbooks find their way into resale shops allowing you to save money and find books that may not be available in normal stores. I get most of my books from charity shops and rarely pay more than £1, you can pretty much always find the classics it is a great place to save money kitting out the home library. Books are often in great condition as people often read them once and then get rid of them.
- Many of our local supermarkets also have a shelf where people can pick up a used book for a small donation.
- Ask for books as gifts You can build your family’s library for free by requesting books in place of random gifts or in place of greeting cards. This is a fun thing that many parents are now doing at baby showers. Asking for children’s books with an inscription inside for the child as they grow rather than traditional congratulations baby shower cards.
- When asked for a wish list for birthdays and holidays make sure your wish lists contain plenty of great books that your child will love to have in your home library. This is a great way to get books that interest your child or favorite books from the local library that they are always checking out so they can have a copy.
- Book swaps can be a great way to find new books and clear out old books you no longer need or want in your home. These can be a fun social activity that allows you to rotate out your home library saving money overall on keeping your library up to date. Many parenting groups on Facebook even hold occasional swap threads for used books. If you have a homeschool group nearby you can often join their book swaps for some great educational finds.
- Take advantage of coupons and discounts. When you do buy new books from the book store you can take advantage of sales, discounts, and even coupons. Be sure to sign up for your store’s email newsletter and to follow them on social media to make sure you never miss a bargain book sale. Many people forget to take advantage of deals from brick and mortar stores these days but they’re still a great way to find bargain books and deals.
- Tell people you will take books they want to get rid of. Simply asking for books when everyone is decluttering and spring cleaning is a great way to build your library for free or to get a heads up when people are selling books to clear them out. Make sure people know that you want books they no longer want and books will often find their way to you. While you can put out this request at any time, spring is a great time to put this message to the forefront of friends and family’s minds as they work through their spring cleaning.
We hope this article will help you on your way to building a fantastic home library for kids that will entertain and stimulate them during their childhood. Developing a love of reading is so empowering young people and it will help them in so many ways. As Dr Seuss said “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
What better reason is there then?
