How to Make a Cosy Reading Corner for Kids This Back to School?
Mark Mellett • 24.07.2026 • 4 min read
Uniforms are ironed, the lunchboxes are labelled, and the "where did the summer go?" conversations have officially begun. Back-to-school season is here and while most of the prep happens in the schoolbag, some of the most important prep happens at home.
At Elephant Living, we hear it from parents every September kids come home tired, wired, or somewhere in between, and they need a spot that isn't the kitchen table or the couch in front of the telly. A dedicated corner for reading, homework and winding down can genuinely change the shape of the school-day evening. Here's how to build one no DIY skills required!!!
How do you create a reading corner for kids?
The good news a reading corner needs far less than Pinterest would have you believe. You need three things a comfy seat, decent light, and books within arm's reach. That's it.
The seat is the anchor, and this is where a bean bag beats a chair every time. Kids don't sit still; they curl, sprawl, flop and burrow. A bean bag like the Junior Bean Bag moulds around whatever shape they've folded themselves into, and its light enough for them to drag to the window when the sun moves. Add a small shelf or even a basket of books beside it, and you've built a reading corner in five minutes.
One tip from the many classrooms we've kitted out let the child pick the colour. A corner they chose is a corner they'll use.
What is the best bean bag for kids?
The best kids bean bag is one that survives being a spaceship on Monday, a reading chair on Tuesday and a wrestling mat by Friday. Look for: -
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Durable, easy-clean fabric - School uniforms, felt-tip pens and snack crumbs will all make an appearance. Wipeable or machine-washable covers are non-negotiable.
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Child-safe zips - Every Elephant Living bean bag comes with safety locking zips as standard, so curious little fingers can't get at the filling.
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Right Size - For younger kids, the Junior is perfect. If you want something the whole family fights over, I mean, shares the Elephant Jumbo fits two kids comfortably (and one parent, once the kids are in bed).
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Bit of personality - If your little one has strong opinions about décor, Stella the Unicorn Bean Bag tends to win the argument. A fun character bean bag can be the thing that turns "go do your reading" from a battle into a treat.
How do bean bags help kids relax after school?
Any parent knows the after-school energy crash (or explosion). School days are long, noisy and full of rules and children need a way to decompress before they can face homework, dinner or each other.
This is where a soft, enclosed seat earns its keep. The gentle, body-moulding support of a bean bag creates that snug, cocoon-like feeling that helps kids settle. It's the same reason bean bags are so widely used in school wellbeing rooms and sensory spaces the Elephant Mellow has become a favourite with families of children who benefit from calming, low-stimulation spots to recharge.
Try making the bean bag the official "wind-down zone" ten or fifteen minutes there after school with a book, an audiobook, or nothing at all before homework begins. It gives the transition from school mode to home mode a physical home of its own.
What about homework can kids do schoolwork on a bean bag?
For focused written homework, a table is still best for posture and handwriting. But not all schoolwork happens with a pencil. Reading assignments, learning spellings aloud, listening comprehension, paired reading with a parent all these works brilliantly from a bean bag, and kids often stick with them longer when they're comfortable.
A nice routine that works for lots of families table for the written bits, bean bag for the reading bits. The change of scenery breaks homework into manageable chunks and gives kids something to look forward to halfway through.
Back to College: Bean Bags for Dorm Rooms & Student Rooms
If back-to-school in your house means a big move into student accommodation, we've got you covered there too. Our guide best bean bags for students walks you through everything from compact options for tight dorm rooms to jumbo styles that double as guest beds well worth a look before the September rush and for the teachers and principals reading along, we supply school bean bags for classrooms, libraries and wellbeing rooms across Ireland, with competitive rates for schools of every size.
A cosy corner at home makes the whole school routine run smoother for them and for you. Browse the full Elephant Living kids range today and have it delivered before the first bell rings.
FAQs
1. What age are Elephant Living bean bags suitable for?
Our bean bags suit everyone from toddlers to adults. The Junior size is ideal for younger children, while the Jumbo comfortably fits two kids or the whole family at story time.
2. Are kids bean bags safe?
Yes. All Elephant Living bean bags come with child-safe locking zips as standard, so the filling stays securely inside and little hands stay out.
3. Can I wash a kid’s bean bag cover?
Most Elephant bean bag covers are removable and machine washable, and our Classic Nylon range is water-resistant and wipes clean with a damp cloth perfect for everyday spills.
4. Do bean bags help children with sensory needs?
Many families find the snug, body-moulding support of a bean bag calming for children with sensory sensitivities. The Elephant Mellow is a popular choice for wellbeing corners at home and in schools.
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Expertly designed, this 140 x 110 cm bean bag serves as an essential element for children's gatherings while accommodating adults comfortably.
Its versatile size creates an ideal fusion of comfort and aesthetics, suitable for both solitary child relaxation and adult lounging. Select from three premium material options—Classic Nylon, Quilted, or ...
