Family Bonding Time with Book Nook Kits for Kids and Adults
Parents with younger kids may find it hard to do downtime activities because younger ones are on-the-go, demanding attention. Let them join in with their own little kit. While book nook kits are a tech-free activity families can do, they’re often for teens, not younger ones with inquisitive minds who’d rather pull your kit apart under the disguise of ‘helping’.
With the right kits to hand, you can use miniatures as a family activity with kids as young as 5 years old. The only difference is the materials the kits are made of. And similar to the adult versions, the theme of the book nook kit is better to be one that’s of interest so that it’s engaging.
Book Nook Kits Explained
Book nook kits are 3D puzzle kits for decorating bookshelves. Some are made for display only, others are interactive toys. The main differences between book nook kits for adults and the ones for kids is the complexity of assembly.
Adult kits require more precision and a steady hand, while kids kits are made with ABS plastic - a tougher material that can withstand some rough play. Not all plastic kits are for kids though. Miniature building block sets have the smallest parts, sometimes as small as 3.6mm with the puzzles having over 1,000 pieces. These are not the type of kit you could put in front of a 5-year old and expect them to enjoy it. Bigger parts with interactive elements in the design are better suited for younger age groups.
Age Appropriateness: Choosing the Right Kit for the Age Group
The standard age ranges for quality kits are 14 and upward. That’s primarily for the wood kits though. High quality book nook kits are made with plywood that’s at least 3mm to 5mm thick. Occasionally, some of the parts may need a little sanding here and there. That’s something kids would struggle with, perhaps shaving too much off the wood pieces, or sanding off some of the paint. Wood kits require more precision control.
The kits for younger kids with smaller fingers who are still developing fine motor skills are made with ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), a type of plastic that can withstand rough and tumble better. The youngest age group for these types of kits are ages 5 and upward, and that’s the LEGO brand Storybooks as they have a decent size of building blocks.
There are several off-brand versions of LEGO kits, some of which are mini brick kits. In these, the pieces are plastic, but the sizes can be as small as 3.6mm blocks so the puzzle sizes for a book nook kit can easily be 1,000 to 3,000 pieces. Kids upwards of 8 years old could, with time and patience, build them, but realistically, they’d be for older kids because the miniature size makes them tricky.
3 Kid-Friendly Book Nook Kits
1. Diagon Alley Building Blocks
The Diagon Alley building blocks kit is suited to ages 8+ and it contains lights. The kit is a massive 1,976 pieces, but while that may sound intimating, being mini-blocks like LEGO, it’s completely snap-together. For kids, it’s the kind of kit that’s handy to have experienced hands around to help them with any of the more challenging parts of the design, like getting the lights connected.
Once assembled, it can be displayed on a bookshelf either closed like a bookshelf insert, or open like a miniature set. Both options can be illuminated revealing soft lighting in each of the store windows along the magical alley. As a parent-child activity, pair it with any of the adult versions of Harry Potter themed book nook kits.
Find the kit at Walmart and Amazon.
2. LEGO Version of the Disney Little Mermaid Story Book
The Little Mermaid Story Book is for ages 5 and up and it’s an interactive design featuring several miniature character dolls - Ariel, Prince Eric, Ursula, and Sebastion. There’s no lights involved in this kit and it is a classic LEGO build. Once assembled, the book closes, and there’s a key to lock it.
Unlock the book, open it up, and kids can play make-believe - lower the shell throne for Ariel to stand on, spin Prince Eric’s statue around, and lift a panel to reveal a hidden treasure map, or uncover a book that opens to reveal the words “once upon a time”. A prompt for kids to create their own story and tell you all about it.
For parents wanting to work on a similar design with their child, the Mermaid Story, (featured on our most reviewed fantasy book nook kits) is a detailed wood kit that lights up.
Available on Amazon.
3. Flower House Building Set
The Flower House building set is an off-brand version of LEGO kits and the blocks are the same standard size as LEGO, which is why they say it’s compatible. It's not a mini brick kit with thousands of teeny sized pieces. This model is 699 pieces, and is suited to ages 6 and upward.
Once assembled, the roof opens and closes, as does the window and there’s a couple of lights in it too. At roof level is a white led bulb and beside a reading chair, there’s a floor lamp with a warm yellow LED bulb illuminating the reading chair. Throughout the kit are numerous flowers and a kitten to play amongst them. A similar version is the Garden House book nook kit by Rolife, which is made of wood and is for adults. It could pair with this for a Mom and Daughter activity.
Available on Amazon.
Crafting Together: Creating Lasting Memories
In today’s hyper-connected world, it’s important to have time-out for everyone. For Mom, Dad and all the kids to disconnect from technology and spend time reconnecting with each other. Doing activities together forges connections. Every moment together is building memories that'll be forever cherished. Not just the assembly, but the experiences shared and the stories the book nooks convey.
While building miniature scenes in a book nook, it opens up the opportunity to spark meaningful conversations. Chances for storytelling, to educate kids about family history. Like, while the younger ones are engaged in building a magical Harry Potter scene, Mom/Dad could be putting together their DIY Tokyo Alley book nook kit, reminiscing about a special trip, explaining to the kids about how the leaves on trees are pink, and how every year, they fall from the trees, and that’s a celebrated tradition in Japanese culture.
As kids grow up, these are the moments they remember best. The afternoons spent building little miniature scenes in books and similar hands-on family activities, instead of binge-watching cartoons. It’s memories like these that stand out and get remembered for the rest of their lives. Book nook kits, no matter the material, are a creative outlet, an engaging activity, and one that when done together as a family unit, bonds families together.