As some of you know, I work full-time at an elementary school. A few years ago our library was stripped of all the imagination in a remodel of the room. 🙁
After walking though a bare, boring library, I decided it was time to give it a revamp.
As you know we LOVE our National Parks, Camping, and reading! So, the idea was born to have the theme be a “National Park Forest themed library”.
With a limited budget we got to work to bring the idea of a magical, forest themed library to life.
Below you can see some of the before photos, showing how dull the library was for our young
minds…who love imagination and creativity.
BEFORE:
One of the great things about a national park-themed library is that it can be adapted to fit any age group/grade level. For younger children, you might focus on having cartoon wildlife, such as bears, deer, and rabbits. For older students, you could explore more complex topics such as geology, ecology, and environmental science.
Colors for the Theme: To start bringing your national park theme to life, begin by selecting colors and materials that evoke the beauty of the great outdoors. Think earthy greens, browns, and blues, and consider incorporating natural textures such as wood, stone, and leather. You may also want to include some additional elements like animal prints, hiking gear, or rustic signs. I have everything you would need to create your own National Park Library space saved in this Amazon Wish list!
Lighting:
For a national park theme, you’ll want to consider warm, soft lighting that creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Consider using lamps or hanging light fixtures (like fair lights) with shades made from natural materials like rattan or wicker, or even installing a faux campfire in a central gathering space for an added touch of ambiance. We decided to hang fairy lights since we have natural light from the sky lights.
Books:
Of course, no school library is complete without books! When it comes to selecting books for your national park-themed library, keep in mind the idea of outdoor exploration and adventure that you can feature. This might mean stocking up on field guides, travel books, and books about national parks and other wilderness areas. We even added laminated national park maps so students can use the maps in the library. You may also want to include novels that take place in outdoor settings, such as Jack London’s “The Call of the Wild” or Gary Paulsen’s “Hatchet.”
Interactive Elements:
Finally, don’t forget about interactive elements that engage and inspire students. Consider creating a display of real leaves or rocks that students can handle and examine up close, or setting up a reading nook with camping chairs or beanbag chairs for a cozy and immersive experience.
AFTER:
First we wanted to make the entrance to the library feel inviting and magical, to spark the imagination of our students when they walk into the room. Here’s the fun stickers we found on Amazon to create a extract of a forest, as well as our national forest sign (we had made)
Once you enter the room, we had trees, fake grass, log pillows, a tree house and more to create a space that feels like the National Forest.
One of my favorite parts of this room is the fun rug that looks like a pond. Our kids walk across it all the time when they pretend play!
These giant murals are large stickers we also found on amazon.
If you’re looking to decorate a library, a national park-themed school library is a great way to infuse your learning space with natural elements and create a tranquil space for relaxation and escape.
With some careful planning and creative thinking, you can create a space that inspires curiosity, imagination, and a lifelong love of nature. Get started by creating your own Amazon Wish list to share with your community – to come together and create a beautiful, cozy National Park Library theme.