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Creative Ikea Finds for Kids’ Spaces

September 13, 2011 by notjustcute Filed Under: Building Readers, Uncategorized 7 Comments

A trip to Ikea is a fun adventure for me!  I go in with a list, but there are just so many ideas that start swirling once I step past those sliding doors.  Their children’s section is exciting on its own, but I’ve recently come across some different uses for items in their other sections that can be put to great use in kids’ spaces as well.

Lillian, at Domestic Simplicity, took these spice racks (for a cool $3.99) and turned them into book racks.  Genius!  Storing children’s books facing forward is more likely to call children over for a fun literacy experience.  (And creating a great shelf for less than twenty bucks is more likely to make you smile too.)

Mommy Blogger and photographer, Rachel, used this curtain wire to make a perfect place for hanging her child’s art work.  Check out her darling playroom makeover here.  Having a designated place for children’s art gives it purpose and value and helps build self-esteem.

After reading about writing centers in Mariah Bruehl’s book, Playful Learning , I redid my writing area, using these caddies from Ikea to store my writing supplies veritcally.  I also added these pots (for less than a dollar each) from the plant area for storing crayons and markers.

When Deborah at Teach Preschool shared her brilliant idea for sitting spots at circle time (here), I found these placemats at Ikea, which are durable and do the trick!  Designated areas for sitting helps communicate clear expectations for large group time.

What’s your favorite Ikea find for children’s spaces?

Top photo by Toshihiro Oimatsu.

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Comments

  1. 1

    Corey Brock says

    September 13, 2011 at 3:53 am

    What great ideas…I LOVE ikea! I read the Teach Preschool post about the sitting spots and can’t wait to get my hands on some of those place mats! 😉 We have the Expedit bookcases which are great for storage and you can use the smaller ones to create little “stations” in a playroom or schoolroom!

    Reply
  2. 2

    Yvonne says

    September 13, 2011 at 12:06 pm

    I’m also always on the lookout for creative uses for Ikea items. My favorite find was found via Ohdeedoh a while back; using a RAST nightstand as a base/table for a sensory tub or water table. It is the perfect height for little ones.

    Reply
    • 3

      Amanda Morgan says

      September 13, 2011 at 1:38 pm

      I love it! Thanks for sharing the link!

      Reply
  3. 4

    SquiggleMum says

    September 19, 2011 at 5:42 am

    I love the small shaggy rug squares from Ikea – especially in green! They are perfect for all kinds of grassy playscenes. Picnics, farm animals, dinosaurs, bugs…

    Reply
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Trackbacks

  1. Making a Creative Art Center | Passionate Homemaking says:
    October 21, 2011 at 3:01 am

    […] I was inspired (thanks to Playful Learning & Not Just Cute) to arrange a little art center in an organized fashion that could be easily accessible for the […]

    Reply

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I’m Amanda Morgan. Here’s what I’m about…

In early education, there is too much distance between what we know and what we do. I bridge the gaps that exist between academia, decision-makers, educators, and parents so that together, we can improve the quality of early education while also respecting and protecting the childhood experience.

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