The 10 Best Bookshelves For Kids
This wiki has been updated 19 times since it was first published in December of 2018. A love of reading is one of the best gifts you can give to your kids, as it can help them develop critical language skills and inspire their imaginations. But before lining any of these bookshelves with age-appropriate materials for your child, make sure it's extremely stable and firmly anchored to the wall to prevent it from tipping and potentially causing an injury. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. RiverRidge Nook
2. KidKraft Cottage
3. Fantasy Fields Outer Space
Editor's Notes
August 24, 2020:
Although it looks quite nice, we’ve noted that the KidKraft Natural does not offer the same level of durability as many other options — the boards tend to scratch and dent easily. We also point out that many users of the Delta MySize complain about a bad paint smell when the shelf first arrives. For this reason, it may be a good idea to let this one air out in the garage or on the back patio for a few days before assembling. The same goes for the KidKraft Pastel.
We added the Homfa Holder to the list, a wall-mountable model with security bars that run across the front of each shelf to keep books from tipping over. Some people find this feature helpful, but it can be annoying to others. We also added the RiverRidge Nook, which doubles as a bench. It’s a nice size for toddlers.
Playful children with active imaginations may be drawn to the KidKraft Firehouse, KidKraft Cottage, and Fantasy Fields Outer Space, which are all elaborately and colorfully decorated to suit their themes.
You can think of the Vooks Storybooks platform in the Special Honors as a virtual bookshelf — its easy-to-use interface allows the user to stream visually enhanced stories from mobile devices, smart TV applications, and the web.
July 19, 2019:
We wanted our list to represent the virtually unlimited offerings available in bookshelves for kids, which is why you'll find a large variety of styles here. For example, we have included models like the Sauder Beginnings, Delta MySize, and Wallniture Denver, which tend to have a more grown-up look. Despite this, the first two are still the perfect size to provide easy access to toddlers and young children, while the last can be installed at any height you desire. Models like the Fantasy Fields Outer Space, KidKraft Cottage, Fantasy Fields Farm, and various other units on our list are immediately recognizable as a piece of kids' furniture and can help when trying to create a theme in your child's bedroom.
Some units on our list have some extra features that make them more versatile than standard bookshelves. For example, the Sauder Pogo provides spots to store toys on the bottom, in addition to room for books on the top, so if you don't have a lot of space to spare, it is a great 2-in-1 piece. The KidKraft Natural is another example, which provides children with a comfortable nook for reading.
We feel it prudent to point out the potential for injury if a child tries to climb up one of the models on this list, or any other piece of furniture for that matter, so in addition to trying to teach your child not to do this, we recommend you always anchor bookshelves, dressers, and other furniture firmly to the wall for safety reasons.
Special Honors
Findel International From standard three-shelf bookcases to tabletop units and rolling organizers, this line of book storage and display solutions is a useful resource for educators. Many models are designed for classrooms full of young children, but some large options are available as well. Based in the United Kingdom, Findel serves customers across the globe. findel-international.com
Vooks Storybooks Getting kids to actively engage in reading at an early age is imperative, and Vooks makes it easy to accomplish in the digital age. Geared toward both parents and teachers, this platform offers a streaming library of visual storybooks that help youngsters improve reading comprehension and develop their vocabularies. It can be accessed via mobile devices, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, or web browser. vooks.com
4. KidKraft Firehouse
5. KidKraft Pastel
6. Sauder Pogo
7. Delta MySize
8. Wallniture Denver
9. Homfa Holder
10. KidKraft Natural
In addition to his corporate career as a marketing and communications professional in Chicago, Sam runs a popular blog that focuses on the city’s flourishing craft beer and brewery scene. He received his degree in journalism from DePaul University (which spurred his interest in freelance writing) and has since spent years developing expertise in copywriting, digital marketing and public relations. A lifetime of fishing, hiking and camping trips has left him well-versed in just about any outdoors-related topic, and over several years spent working in the trades during his youth, he accumulated a wealth of knowledge about tools and machinery. He’s a travel junkie, a health and fitness enthusiast, and an avid biker.