These are my best ways to organize kids books in an autism playroom, classroom or therapy practice. I’ve used the methods to organize kids books in my autism center for years. Make sure you take a look at my list of the best board books for kids with autism next!
Books are a fabulous learning tool. Reading is a wonderful activity to share with your child that provides so many opportunities for learning and bonding with your little one.
We use various kinds of books in our program at Le Chemin ABA. We have books for children with different communication levels as well as in different languages. (Read more about Le Chemin ABA’s book collection for children with autism in tomorrow’s post!)
Once a book collection begins to grow, it can sometimes get a little bit out of hand! How do we organize all of these beautiful books to make sure our kids squeeze every last drop of learning and fun from their lovely pages?
3 ways to organize kids books
Organize kids books using IKEA spice racks
Materials you will need
- Paint
- IKEA’s spice racks
IKEA’s spice racks are versatile and can be used for so many fun projects. They are inexpensive and practical. You can paint them all kinds of fun colors with your child and hang them on the wall to hold books.
If you hang them at your child’s level, he or she will have easy access to them. If your child has learned to concentrate on an independent activity, this is a good idea. If your child has not yet learned to engage in independent activities, or is going through a destructive phase, I recommend hanging the bookshelves at your level. This will allow you to select a book and propose it as an activity to your child or to work on your child’s ability to request using a sign, photo or word/phrase.
Painted IKEA spice rack bookshelves from A Baby on Board.
Books in a basket
Materials you will need
- Wire basket
I love the idea of storing books in a wire basket 
.
This book storage system is simple and portable. You can decide when the basket is available (on the floor or at the table) and when you prefer to keep it up a little higher on a dresser or shelf. It’s wonderful to have the option to take your books with you – to another room or even to bring 2 or 3 to a friend’s house or on a picnic.
Decorative shelves
Materials you will need
- Train wall decal
- IKEA’s spice racks
- Paint
I work with many children who ADORE trains! What better way to get your child interested in reading than to make their bookshelves part of a train wall decal
?
Our favorite kids books on our learning house bookshelves
- Eloise in Paris
- Olivia
- Harold and the Purple Crayon
- Little Bear
- Peppa Pig : Little Library
- Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
Bonus : If you are obsessed with the Kon Mari
Method at the moment like I am, you will love the video below!
Storage and Organization Ideas for Children’s Books – How to organize books the Kon Mari Way
I also love the idea of rotating books out to give your child the opportunity to explore different books. Kids with autism have a tendancy to resist change : they often don’t like trying new things and once they discover that they love something, they often don’t want to change it! They can easily become fixated on one or two books and ignore the rest. I will be sharing my system for rotating books soon.
Want to learn more about the toys you need in your child’s playroom? Download your free printable toy checklist here.
More Autism Learning Resources
- The Successful Interaction with a Child with Autism Course – learn to better understand your autistic child or students with this complete course.
- Autism Activities Workbook Bundle – build communication skills, fine motor skills, sensory play skills and daily living skills, while helping your child or students to successfully manage any difficult behaviors, with these fun, educational, printable activities.
- Sensory Communication Workbook – Build communication skills with simple sensory activities.
- How to Make a Communication Binder Guide & Workbook – Learn how to create a Communication Binder for your child or student with autism using real photos. Follow my expert guide to learn how to use it to increase communication skills.
- Zoo Animals Play Dough Mats Bundle – use these printable play dough mat to work on the names of the animals, build language skills, and increase fine motor strength and precision in a fun, sensory way!
Organize Kids Books
I hope you love these tips! Let me know how you organize your books in your home or classroom.