You’ve finally arrived. You’re ready to give your home the attention it deserves, whether that be new toy storage in the kids’ room or giving your pantry a facelift. And the good news is, while your social feed may suggest otherwise, there’s no reason to rush out and blow your entire budget on stackable baskets and (perfect! cute!) containers for the kitchen. Instead, inspired by some of our favorite design-centric parents, these ideas are all about organizing with IKEA products and might be the answer to all of your makeover dilemmas.
Why do people love organizing with IKEA products?
The Scandinavian design company has long been a place for folks to pick up affordable and functional furniture, but the products also tend to be fairly basic in design, so you can glam it up, and with a little creativity, use it in areas you might not normally think about. Plus, the storage options are endless, and anyone with kids knows how important that can be.
IKEA’s KALLAX storage unit becomes a versatile piece in H.isforHome’s nursery as a changing table with plenty of storage ready at hand. The greatest part about this hack is that later when her son Grayson outgrows the changing table, there’s a seamless transition into simple storage and shelving pieces (click here to check it out).
Your bed slats are so much more than support for your bed. Use this awesome idea from Kristina of Ich Designer to make an amazing wall storage space for your family using the LURÖY Slatted Bed Base from IKEA. Hang baskets, magazines, notebooks, and more to get your everyday must-haves out of the way.
Whether you have a mudroom, or just have a bit of extra space in your entry, Melissa from Polkadot Chair has a hack that will revolutionize your storage life. Using the BILLY bookcase, you can create lockers for everyone’s coats, bags, shoes, and more.
If you’re looking IKEA organizing ideas to help you keep the clothes in order, the KOMPLEMENT storage boxes are perfect. They require almost no assembly and can help you organize piles of laundry in a snap.
If you’ve got a small kitchen but dream of having an island, this IKEA organization idea from Craftydust is right up your alley. Using KALLAX shelves and the KARLBY kitchen worktop, you can have an island that not only folds in half but can also be used as a bar cart.
Under your bed doesn’t have to be wasted storage space. Transform it with a helping hand from Faith Towers at Curbly. Believe it or not, her amazing under-the-bed storage boxes are made of frames—specifically the IKEA RIBBA Frames and a set of casters from Amazon! Check out her tutorial to get started.
We know this project seems like a lot of work, but the result is worth it. Nele Cole has a great tutorial on how to make a LEGO table using the TROFAST Storage System from IKEA that not only has room for all the kids but all the bricks too.
When it comes to books, give the kids a place all their own. Using BEKVÄM spice rack shelves, simply attach them to the side of your bookshelf and rotate their favorites in and out.
You want to display their best artwork as well as some of the things you’ve collected along your life journey, but you don’t want it to feel too cluttered. Solution? Snag some IKEA RIBBA frames and get to work.
Using the TINGBY side table and the RÖDEBY bamboo armrest tray, you can create a storage container that works great in an office and looks amazing, too. You’ll need extra hardware for this one, so be sure to watch the video!
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Check out these helpful tips for how to teach kids to be grateful this year
As parents, guiding our kids toward living a life of gratitude is no easy feat. After all, how do we actually teach our kids what gratitude means and how they can demonstrate it on a daily basis? It starts with simple acts and words that even the youngest of kids can understand. (Also, try reading these books about gratitude.) Here are a few specific examples to get your little one in the habit—you can thank us later.
1. Give back to the community. Acts of service are great ways to instill gratitude in kids. Consider participating in a local park clean-up, donating canned goods to a food pantry, or giving away unused clothes and toys. There are also lots of ways you can volunteer right from your own home.
2. Ask your kids to name one thing they're grateful for every night. Starting this habit helps kids (and adults) remember what is good in our lives, and that we are grateful for even the smallest of things. This can be during a dinner conversation or before bed.
3. Make a good deed calendar. Use it in the holiday months as a countdown or year-round to inspire kids to pay it forward every day.
4. Teach them to "work" for a reward. I'm sure we've lost track of how many times our kids ask for a new toy or something fun. The next time your little one wants another hour of screen time, how about telling them to complete a household chore before getting the reward? Receiving a reward after work always makes the treat feel more well-deserved.
5. Integrate gratitude with holidays and special days. Thanksgiving and Christmas aren't the only holidays that are all about gratitude. Other days where it's equally important to teach kids the meaning of the holiday and how they can be grateful for it include Veterans Day and Memorial Day are teaching opportunities for kids to be grateful for service members.
6. Model saying "please" and "thank you." There's no substitute for good manners. Regularly using words like "please" and "thank you" gets little ones to remember to be grateful while demonstrating respect to others.
7. Gratitude goes both ways, so make sure to say "thank you" to your kids. As parents, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget to show appreciation to our little ones. So when they do something kind or follow directions, remember to say "thank you." It may seem like a small gesture, but they will know you're grateful.
9. Look for the positive in even the most difficult situations. It's easy to focus on the negative, especially when a situation doesn't go our way. Helping kids focus on the positive (even if it's a small positive) will go a long way in helping them feel grateful in life, even during difficult times like we are experiencing now.
10. Send notes of gratitude. Don't reserve your "thank you" notes for birthday gifts and holiday cards. Teach your kids the importance of gratitude by having them write a note or draw a picture for a special person each month. This could be a grandparent, a neighbor, a teacher or a community member.
11. Turn holiday gifting into an opportunity to give back. With the holidays approaching and kids making their wish lists of toys, try making a new kind of list. Have your kiddos write down a few gift ideas they'd like to give to others. So rather than focusing simply on the getting, it's also about giving. Check out also these gifts that give back with every purchase.
12. Gift experiences not gifts. Kids who get tons of presents for holidays might not appreciate it when another one comes along. Gifting experiences like museum memberships or a special day with mom or dad can be something they remember long after that last toy gets chucked under their bed.
13. Create a gratitude jar. A mason jar is the start of this fun activity the whole family can participate in. A few times a week have everyone write down what they are grateful for. Then, have a special night where you read them all aloud.
14. Try out Turkey on the Table. This one is specific to Thanksgiving but is a fun way to get the flood of gratitude going. The feathers of this festive turkey are things that each family member is grateful for. You add them in the weeks before Thanksgiving and then read them aloud after dinner. Check it out here.
15. Discuss "needs" versus "wants." This one's more for the older kids but you can get the discussion started even at younger ages. Thinking about what we need to survive versus everything else can help kids to be grateful when they get those little "extras."
17. Write down a reverse bucket list. Instead of focusing on things they want, have kids write down things they have done and loved. This shift in focus will reframe this time of year away from all the wants.
18. Be a grateful parent. Kids learn from observing. There's no better way to demonstrate gratitude than for you to show how much YOU are thankful in life.
The only thing better than getting lost in a book is having your own cozy space devoted to literary escapes. These adorable reading nooks for kids are both simple and stunning. All you need is a corner of your home, some floating shelves, and a bunch of books, and you’ll be on your way to setting up a spot where reading is the focus.
This adorable option from @thunderousdandelion doesn't take up a ton of space in your home. All you need is a corner, a kid-sized chair, some floating shelves to display this week's reads, and a bookshelf for the overflow.
Who doesn't love a bookshelf organized by color? This option from @thesimpleliefofoliver takes it up a notch with rainbow artwork, rainbow sensory toys and rainbow crafts. LOVE!
Instant Reading Nook
It really is as easy as can be with this book nook from KidKraft. Order yours and set it up and you have your own too-cute reading area and bookcase combined!
Julia from Tag & Tibby set out to create a sensory-friendly space for her son, and the result is simply awesome. The little ones can cuddle up in the canopy to read, but can also take plenty of LEGO breaks.
Even if you don’t have much extra space, you can still make a reading nook. All you really need is a corner, a pile of pillows, and a few blankets, like with this sweet space by The Merrythought.
File this one under “dream house”: this daybed setup by House Homemade takes the idea of a reading nook to a whole new level. Flanked by IKEA bookshelves, this is one spot that the whole family would love.
If you've got a cupboard that doesn't do much but collect clutter, get inspired by @pagesofemma's IKEA kids' room idea for turning wasted space into a cozy reading nook using IKEA's Kallax picture shelf units.
We love this bright and beautiful nook by The Effortless Chic. Start off with stacks of pillows on the floor, add a cozy chair, and finish it off with a pretty gallery wall.
Take inspiration from Mama.Papa.Bubba and turn your kiddo’s closet into a reading nook. In this case, they kept clothes hanging in the closet, so you don’t even have to give up all the storage space. Win-win!
You know the old saying: one kid’s closet is another’s a super cool reading nook. While transforming her son’s nursery into a “big boy room,” blogger Elaine also gave his closet a literary makeover. From comfy pillows and art to essential bookshelves, check out how this reading nook was born over at Visual Meringue.
Featured over at Project Nursery, this library-inspired nursery was dreamed up by The Road Forks. Not only does it have a showstopper set of bookshelves, but there’s also a cute closet nook that’s great for book storage and story time.
When creating a home reading nook, it’s always important to consider every angle. That’s what Sunshine on the Inside did, installing gutter shelves that turn a regular corner into a nifty nook.
Ah, the magic of mesh curtains. They offer up a feeling of privacy for little bookworms, but parents can still keep an eye on storytime. If you want to try out this nifty idea for yourself, head on over to Stuff Parents Need for a full tutorial.
Got an empty fireplace in need of a new function? Turn it into a cozy reading space! Take a cue from interior stylist Emily Henson’s blog Life, Unstyled, and round up some fairy lights, cushions, blankets, and books and you’ll have a next-level nook.
Surround them with kid-friendly furniture that’s designed to hold up to anything they throw at it (sometimes literally).
We have to admit, we weren’t totally ready for how rough-and-tumble our little ones can be on our grown-up furniture. We’ve baby-proofed, done our toy research, but now we’ve got our eye on kid-friendly furniture that’s up to the task. Dust the crumbs off your sofa, sit back, and check out our list of some of the best kid-friendly furniture out there!
With a 4.5 star rating from over 6,200 customers, you know this convertible sofa-lounger is the real deal! Lightweight with a machine-washable cover, there's a reason this is the first one on the list.
The kids pod swing seat is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use, but we're especially excited about it for reading nooks and playrooms. It supports up to 100 lbs., so all the kids can get in on the swinging fun!
It's okay if you're a little jealous of this tent playhouse; we are, too. Watch your kids use it as a playhouse, a castle, and the perfect sleepover clubhouse!
If you have little ones, this butterfly seat set is ideal for every room in the house! Each seat is soft and lightweight, so they can be moved from space to space easily, and you won't mind if they're used for climbing, too.
For little ones who aren't quite ready for a study desk, Crayola's wooden table and chairs set is perfect! With two chairs, four storage compartments, and a tabletop that can be flipped between a dry-erase and a traditional chalkboard, they'll spend hours tapping into their creativity.
For a more streamlined, one-and-done desk option, this chair-desk from Delta is a great way to go! It features a large work surface, storage drawer, and removable cup holder.
A cake sofa sounds like a dream come true, if we're being honest. This darling sofa can be transformed from a seat to a desk and is designed to teach littles about shapes and spatial relations!
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Every child’s bookshelf (and every U.S. library) should have a book collection that represents the beauty and diversity of the United States.
Celebrating Native American culture has frequently been overlooked in children’s literature—especially stories that are told from an indigenous point of view. The good news is, that’s been changing over the last few years and today we find more Native American artists able to tell the stories they want to tell. From board books for babies to chapter books, these Native American children’s books tell new tales, reimagine traditional stories, and honor the modern presence and importance of our nation’s first peoples. Be sure to share these 14 indigenous heroes with your kids in honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, too.
My Heart Fills with Happiness
Reflect on the joy of little things, like holding hands, drumming, and the smell of warm bannock baking in the oven as you turn the pages of this brightly illustrated board book with your child. A gorgeous vehicle for an oft-needed reminder! Written by international speaker and award-winning author Monique Gray Smith who wrote this book to support the wellness of Indigenous children and families, it is also available in French, Spanish, Ojibwe, and Cree. Illustrated by celebrated artist Julie Flett. Ages: 0-2
Lull your Little into dreamland with Celina Kalluk’s sweet sleepy-time poem that celebrates Inuit baby Kulu’s arrival. And what a guest list it was! The Smiling Sun, Wise Wind, and Snow Bunting are just a few who arrive on the scene in this board book, ready to bestow gifts and well wishes on this precious newborn. Illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis. Ages: 0-2
Have you ever met a cat that gives you good luck when you pet it? Woogie is that type of cat until the good luck runs out. This modern Native American story is written by Joy Harjom, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
Winner of the 2021 Caldecott Medal and a #1 New York Times Bestseller, this powerful story is a call to arms to protect the Earth, the plants, the trees, the rivers, and the water from pollution and—more specifically—the Black Snake. The Black Snake, the pipeline, is a danger to the lifeblood of the Earth. It will poison the water and all of its creatures. Learn how to be a water protector with a glossary of terms and more info, followed by the powerful pledge: take it with your children—to be a steward of the Earth and its creatures and a protector of water.
The publisher even offers an online activity kit for children and classrooms. Written by Anishinabe/Métis author and member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe Indians, Carole Lindstrom with illustrations by Caldecott-medal-winning illustrator Michaela Goade, from the Raven moiety and Kiks.ádi Clan from Sitka, Alaska. Ages: 3-6 but frankly, we think everyone should take this pledge.
Told in both English and Ojibwe, the story of Windy Girl and her dog, Itchy Boy who love the stories of Uncle about the gatherings from his boyhood, and how Windy Girl and Itchy Boy love to attend the pow wow too. She loves the food, the dance, and the long nights of laughter. One night, Windy dreams about a very special powwow—with the elders, warriors, the many dancers...when she wakes she begins to understand that the powwow is both old and new, past and present, always moving, like the dancers. Written by Brenda Child, with the Ojibwe translation by Gordon Jourdain and illustrations by Jonathan Thunder. Ages: 3-7
This is the story of one of the greatest potters of all time—a Tewa woman who used her talents and traditions to create pottery that has become world-renowned. Born around 1887, in San Ildefonso Pueblo, near Santa Fe, New Mexico, Maria loved to play with clay, gathered from the Rio Grande. By observing the traditions of the potters around her in the Tewa Pueblo, Maria’s heavy interest is fostered by her Aunt Nicolasa, who begins to show Maria the methods and traditions of Tewa pottery: mixing the clay, coiling it, baking it, and always thanking Mother Earth for the gift of the clay.
As her interests grew, so did her reputation as one of the finest young potters around, and she even discovers a new firing method that is now legendary. Written by clay artist Anna Harber Freeman and illustrated by artist Aphelandra who captures the landscape of the Southwest in vibrant images reminiscent of the pottery itself. A true celebration of indigenous and women’s history. Ages: 4-9
Winner of the 2020 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal and a 2020 American Indian Youth Literature Picture Book Honor Winner, this book lyrically tells the story of making fry bread—from ingredients to mealtime—as a sensory experience, weaving together the importance of the smells, sounds, and moments that fry bread represents.
“Fry bread is nation. It is shared by many, from coast to coast and beyond.”
Sweet and powerful all at once, this simple bread is a poetic testimony to the strength of culture, survival, and nourishment. Written by Kevin Noble Millard, a member of the Seminole Nation, Mekusukey band, and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal. Ages: 3-6
Author F. Anthony Falcon had these thoughts when he first held his son: "Be brave, be brave, be brave." He and his wife were in the middle of Hurricane Harvey's landfall in Corpus Cristi Texas when she went into labor. This book, a meditation on what it means to be brave, is also the author's reconnection with his Lakota roots. It is both the story of little Lakota's perilous arrival into the world as it is about Falcon describing what it is to be a Native American man today. Beautifully illustrated by Trisha Mason. Ages: 3-7
Written by Cheryl Kay Minnema and illustrated by Welsey Ballinger, both members of the Mille Lacs Band, you'll love this story about a little guy everyone calls Hungry Johnny. And you guessed it, he loves to eat! Wild rice, fruit salad, sweet rolls—he looks forward to eating it all. After the food is prepared, Johnny and his family make their way to the community center, where he eagerly awaits the feast. But first, there’s the Ojibwe prayer. And next, the elders eat first. Johnny learns patience and respect as he awaits his turn at the table. (Spoiler alert: there’s plenty left for Johnny!). Ages: 3-7
You may know the name Crazy Horse, the legendary Lakota warrior and chief, but do you know how he got this name? Or what he was like as a little boy? His nickname was Curly, because of his curly hair, and he once bravely rode a wild horse his father brought home. Though Curly’s childhood is good, it doesn’t take long before the white settlers and soldiers begin to take Lakota land.
When white soldiers mortally wound Chief Conquering Bear, Curly bears witness to this attack. Fearful of the future for his people, he breaks from tradition and leaves to seek a vision: he sees a rider on the back of his own horse, floating above the ground. And this rider went through a storm of bullets and hail, nothing touched him. This is the Lakota story of how Crazy Horse got his name and used his vision to lead his people. Co-authored by award-winning Abenaki children’s book author, poet, novelist, and storyteller Joseph Bruchac and illustrated by Lakota artist S.D. Nelson. Ages: 6-9
Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship & Freedom
First published in 2008, Crossing Bok Chitto received starred reviews and numerous awards, including being named ALA Notable Children’s Book and winning a Jane Addams Honor Book award. An original story about the intersection of Native and African Americans received starred tells the story of a young Choctaw girl who crosses the Bock Chittor River in Mississippi and helps a young enslaved person and his family escape slavery via the river. Choctaw storyteller Tim Tingle’s artful words are accompanied by Jeanne Rorex Bridges’ art. Ages: 7-13
One of the newest books in the “Rick Riordan Presents” series (which graced us with such home runs as Tristan Strong and Aru Shah) Nebula- and Hugo-award winning, Indigenous/Black author Rebecca Roanhorse brings the epic adventures of a young Navajo girl, Nizhoni Begay, who turns out to be a monster slayer. Learn about famous heroes and monsters of the Navajo as your route for Nizhoni, her twin brother Mac, and her best friend Davery, in this page-turning novel for middle-grade readers that does not disappoint. Ages: 8-12
How I Became a Ghost—A Choctaw Trail of Tears Story (Book 1)
This is the story of a tribe’s removal from the only land they’d ever known and subsequent journey to Oklahoma along what is known as The Trail of Tears, told from the point of view of the ghost of a Choctaw boy. At first, we learn about Isaac, who is 10, and his life among the Choctaw. Soon, however, tragedy comes, and Isaac, as was true of so many children who were forced to walk it, does not survive the Trail of Tears. Perhaps for the first time, the travesty of the Trail of Tears and removal of the Choctaw is told in print for children from a uniquely Choctaw perspective—it is both heartwrenching and utterly necessary.
And yet, it is a story of resilience and innocence respite with lovable characters, including a five-year-old ghost and a talking dog, as Isaac has the ability to help those left behind. Written by Tim Tingle, an Oklahoma Choctaw and an award-winning author and storyteller, whose great-great-grandfather, John Carnes, walked the Trail of Tears in 1835. Ages: 9-12
You already love Betty White, the sweetest of the ladies on The Golden Girls who left us at the end of last year. Now watch your child fall in love with her too, thanks to this Little Golden Book about her life.!
This kid-friendly biography covers White’s 90-plus years in show business, including her celebrated work as a TV star, comedian and game show competitor. It also shares her lifelong devotion to animals, along with dreams she has made come true in her 99 years.
Need a few more inspiring tales for your kid’s bookshelf? Check out other Little Golden Book biographies on notable folks including George Washington, Martin Luther King Jr., Frida Kahlo, Dolly Parton and more.
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There’s so much about wooden toys that we love: they blend in with grown-up décor so easily and literally last forever (hello, resale value!). Etsy has all of our top picks for wooden toys like the versatile Pikler triangle, too-cute play kitchens, Montessori toys, personalized gifts and more. Consider this your wooden toy shopping list.
If you don't have a Pikler triangle in your home, you need to get on it. Not only are these all the rage for indoor climbing for little ones, but they have a high resale value when you are ready to pass them on.
We love this option for your Montessori-inspire playroom. These wooden peg dolls are hand-painted in rainbow colors with different skin tones, encouraging open-ended play.
You'll love this multi-use piece for your home as it is functional and aesthetically pleasing at the same time. Kids can rock on one side and then flip it over for a climber/tunnel.
We are totally enamored by this handcrafted play kitchen with oven, cupboard, cooktop, sink, water tap and drawer. Your little one will want to bake a cake in thanks for this gift and you'll love that the dusty green color blends in with your aesthetic. The seller can also customize a kitchen to your specifications and offers other colors like dusty pink and natural wood.
Isn't this just the perfect holiday gift? Get your child's name in this personalized train that includes a steam engine, caboose and personalized name letter cars.
Lacing toys are great for working on fine motor skills and sequencing. You'll especially love this one that is everyone's favorite Very Hungry Caterpillar-themed!
Whether you’re cuddling up on the couch for a mid-afternoon story or winding down at bedtime, a great book brings families together for quality time and important conversations. A must-have for your kiddo’s bookshelf is Stick and Stone: Best Friends Forever, a new adventure for beloved BFFs Stick and Stone.
In Beth Ferry’s latest book, beautifully illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld, Stick searches for his family tree (Is it an oak? A maple? Who are the other sticks he’ll get to meet?). As any wonderful wingman would do, Stone accompanies his pal on the journey to find his roots. Throughout their adventure, this sweet picture book delivers a big message about friendship and unconditional love.
Stick and Stone: Best Friends Forever brings to life the idea that people who are not born into your family can fill spaces in your heart. From friends to neighbors, “family” takes many forms over a lifetime. A good friend brings comfort and support. They’re by our sides through happy times and sad times and especially when the world feels scary. (As any parent navigating the uncertainty of a pandemic knows, these special relationships are everything!)
Clever illustrations visualize the playful rhymes in this relatable tale that resonates with kids and adults alike. Reading this heartwarming book with your children gives parents the opportunity to explore the importance of learning about where we came from, as well as the ability of “found family” to help us grow!
Babies require a lot of stuff! It’s a blessing to be flush with adorable outfits, cute baby blankets, and all those diapers and lotions, but it can be difficult to figure out the best way to organize it all. Try these clever ideas and essential products from Etsy, Amazon and more to keep the nursery and all your baby gear neat and functional.
1. Closet Size Dividers Babies grow fast, so you’ll want a variety of clothing sizes readily available. Closet dividers hang right on the clothing rod to keep all those different sizes in order. These Wooden Nursery Closet Dividers ($19.99+) from Etsy shop The Good Grain Designs are handmade with the size labels in two convenient locations so you always know what you’re grabbing.
2. Drawer Dividers Another way to organize all the numerous and tiny baby clothes, especially socks, is to use drawer dividers in the dresser. Look for dividers that have small and large options, like these fabric ones ($9.95-$39.99) from mDesign. Since baby clothes can be hard to fold, try a rolling method. Dividers are also a good way to organize small blankets, burp cloths and towels.
3. Under-Crib Storage Below the crib is prime nursery space for storage of extra blankets, bulk diapers and wipes, seasonal or bigger-size clothing, toys, and stuffed animals. Measure how high the bottom of the crib rail is, and look for slim fabric or plastic bins, drawers or baskets that will fit. For ease of use, try this Under Bed Storage with Wheels ($59.99) from storageLAB that easily slides out from under the crib. When your child moves to a big-kid bed, it will work there too.
4. Storage Cubes For standalone storage, cubes with or without bins are a versatile organization tool for any room. They can hide or display clothes, blankets, books, toys or even lotions and wipes. This space-themed 12-cube plastic storage unit ($39.99) from SONGMICS has an out-of-this-world design and doors to hide baby gear. For a more versatile option, we like this 6-bin organizer bookcase ($200) from Threshold, where the shelves can be left open or filled with bins. Look for fabric bins to match the nursery decor. We love these Organizix Foldable Animal Storage Bins ($14.99) from Organizix that feature an adorable selection of animals.
5. Changing Station or Dresser Top Organizers The flat spaces on top of furniture—changing tables, dressers or small bookshelves—have lots of organization potential. Baskets are great for all the diapers, creams and wipes you need at the changing station. They also work for collecting and organizing small supplies, like nail clippers and files, pacifiers and chew toys. These WarmHome Storage Baskets ($32.49) have a convenient handle and are collapsible when not in use. The HOMEVAGE Diaper Caddy ($17.99) has lots of compartments in different sizes. With a flat bottom and large handles, it can sit on a tabletop or double as an oversize diaper bag.
6. Closet Door Hangers Since hanging baby clothes won’t take up a lot of space, there is room for storage elements in the closet. A door hanger for the inside of the closet works for stuffed animals, small blankets, extra diapers and wipes, and shoes or booties. Look for one with clear or mesh windows, like this Univivi Door Hanging Organizer ($32.99), so it’s easy to see what’s there at a glance.
7. Wall Shelf with Pegs For frequently used outerwear or baby slings and carriers, a wall shelf with pegs, hooks or a rack is a nice way to store them. The shelf is perfect for photos or mementos to give it a nice design element. The peg colors on this handmade Wooden Peg Rail ($44.95+) from Etsy shop Quailwoods can be customized to fit in with your nursery design needs.
8. Hanging Storage Bags Storage bags with handles can be hung on the pegs of a wall shelf or rack, hung in a closet, or in some cases affixed to the ceiling. They are great for toys and stuffed animals or any other gear you want close at hand. We love the whimsical look of this Rainbow Hanging Pod set ($26.99+) from Etsy shop Feeding Pickle. These Hanging Mesh Space Saver Bags ($14.97) from Coastal Rose fold up to store almost anywhere when not in use.
9. Bookrack When storing books, a bookrack is a streamlined alternative to a traditional bookshelf. The Madison 4-Shelf Bookrack ($249) from Pottery Barn Kids saves space, secures to the wall, and allows books to face forward so you and baby can see all those beautiful cover illustrations. A bookrack isn’t limited to books either, so you can use extra shelves for other items, like toys.
10. Quilt Rack or Ladder There are some things you want to store but not hide away. A quilt rack or ladder is a design element that doubles as storage. Instead of hiding baby’s handmade blankets and quilts, a rack or ladder both displays and stores. To make it safe for mobile little ones, look for a design that mounts to the wall, like the Small Blanket Rack ($46.90) from Etsy shop Wood Mountain Design.
I reflect fondly on the nights reading bedtime stories with my two boys. I loved watching them scurry and giggle in their pajamas as I asked them to go pick out two or three of their favorite books from their bookshelf. Looking back, the stories that I loved reading the most were the ones which initiated a conversation that ultimately lasted longer than reading the book itself.
With that in mind, here are five children’s books (some old, some new), that touch on the importance of friendship and love and can easily spark an interesting discussion between a parent and child:
1. The Giving Treeby Shel Silverstein:
This Shel Silverstein classic focuses on the relationship that develops between a tall tree and a young boy. With simple words and black-line illustrations, Silverstein quickly draws the reader in as a believer of this unconventional friendship. It’s a warm and wonderful story, yet it is quite sad on some levels. The tree is so giving and loves the boy unconditionally. The boy takes what he is able to from this generous tree throughout his entire life. But who is happiest at the end: the individual who gives or the one that takes? It’s truly open to interpretation, which makes for a nice conversation. Parents and kids can talk about the importance of giving, equally weighted friendships, and the benefits of showing appreciation.
2. Love You Foreverby Robert Munsch:
Our copy of Love You Forever is probably the most tattered of all our children’s books. Maybe it’s the colorful illustrations or the repetitive rhyming chorus, but it is a story that can be read over and over again. It is a confirmation of the heart-felt relationship parents have with their children and vice-versa. Life can be funny and each stage has a way of being awkward or self-serving, especially when we are kids. The text taps into how parents both “love” and “like” their kids, which in itself is a good conversation topic. The lump-in-the-throat moment is at the end of the book, when he rocks his mother, and then introduces the song to his infant daughter. After reading the book—plan on singing the song together, be prepared to talk about family dynamics, the concept of growing older, and how love (and like) endures the circle of life.
3. Avery’s Gift by Jonathan Hoefer:
Waking up in a dream-like setting, and discovering that she has lost all of her colors, Avery goes on a quest to find them with a new friend, Dalton. Though the story of Avery’s Gift is inspired by a heavier topic, this modern fable can be used to discuss the importance of love and friendship. After reading the story, parents can discuss the feeling of being lost or “colorless.” The journey within the story not only shows the importance of being open to making new friends, it also demonstrates how being generous and kind can bring “colors” into another person’s life. This book contains many metaphors of love and loss, with the opportunity for dialog to run deeper if the parent so chooses.
4. The Sandwich Swapby Kelly DiPucchio:
Friendships are built on strong foundations, especially in grade school. Forming true friendships is a wonderful process, though sometimes challenging. Through our formative years, we are introduced to many people with different families, backgrounds, and cultures. As simple as showing the oddities of a hummus sandwich and a PB&J, The Sandwich Swap embraces the beauty of friendship by appreciating the differences we all possess, not just recognizing what we have in common. In today’s climate, it is nice to point out what makes us unique and how these individual qualities can be the building blocks for a solid and true friendship. Let this book spark a conversation with your children about what makes them unique and what interesting aspects of their culture or heritage would they want to share with a new friend? What food do you serve as a family that could be viewed as odd to another person?
5. The Velveteen Rabbit byMargery Williams: The Velveteen Rabbit is a classic tale of friendship, love, and becoming Real. The version illustrated by Don Daily is especially intricate and mesmerizing. There are so many life lessons that can be found inside this iconic story, but an interesting thing to point out is that the letter “R” is capitalized whenever the author uses the word ‘Real.’ The reason? According to the author, being Real is a very big deal, and worthy of its capitalization! The rabbit searched for friendship and love, and he found all of this with the boy who cherished him. This love created an abundance of self-worth in the rabbit, ultimately allowing him to become Real. Ask your young reader how the book made them feel? Does your child have a favorite stuffed animal? What would it be like if they loved it so much – it became Real? Do they ever feel like the velveteen rabbit? Use this book as an opportunity to tell your young reader how much you love them – it can make a real difference.
Children’s books are full of beautiful imagery and wonderful words. But, I find, some of the most intriguing words come from the minds of young readers sharing their thoughts about what was just read. Feel free to create your own prompts after reading your child’s favorite book and wait for their response. It might just be the best story you’ve heard all day.
Jonathan Hoefer is an author, illustrator, and art director that has been involved in the printing and publishing industry for over 20 years. His new book, Avery's Gift, is available now.
