I’ve heard it countless times— “My child just isn’t interested in writing. They find it boring.” But I’ve seen firsthand that it doesn’t have to be that way. Writing and creativity can come to life when children are given a space that feels inspiring, playful, and truly their own.
As a designer, a mum, and someone who deeply values creative expression, I’ve found that a simple, intentional writing station at home can make a huge difference. Whether it’s a cosy corner in the kitchen or a colourful tray on the table, it’s not about having the perfect setup—it’s about creating the invitation to write.
Here are five of my top tips for encouraging a love of writing and mark-making at home by setting up a space your child will genuinely enjoy spending time in.
1. A Cosy Corner to Call Their Own
Creating a space that belongs just to your child is one of the most powerful ways to nurture independent creativity. I’ve encouraged this ever since my children were babies, long before they could hold a pen. As parents, we often crave those five quiet minutes to enjoy a hot cup of tea, and in my years as a nursery leader, childminder, and stay-at-home mum, I’ve learned just how much children benefit from having their own space to explore and play.
One thing I’ve noticed time and time again is this: children love to feel connected to the people around them. They’re more likely to settle when they feel secure, but if they don’t have a space of their own to dive into, they’ll often become fascinated by whatever you’re doing instead (your notebook, your knitting, or that half-drunk tea you were hoping to finish in peace!).
A small desk and chair, just the right size for them, can work wonders. It doesn’t need to be fancy—just a corner with a few thoughtfully chosen supplies and an invitation to create. As they grow, this space becomes even more important. It’s somewhere that’s theirs. A place to be themselves, to write, draw, imagine, and express—without feeling like they’re in the way.
2. Keep It Simple, Stocked and Inspiring
I’ve created a lot of writing and creative spaces for children over the years, and I’ve noticed a familiar pattern: at first, they’re loved and used, full of excitement and possibility, but over time, the novelty can fade. Without a little ongoing attention, those lovely spaces can quickly turn into dumping grounds or gather dust.
The trick? Keep it fresh and functional.
Make a habit of clearing and tidying the station at the end of each day, and restock it regularly. You don’t always need to add new supplies—just rotating resources works wonders. Think of the joy of finding something at the back of a cupboard you’d forgotten about! Children feel that same excitement when a familiar tool or activity reappears.
It’s also important to keep the basics topped up: sharpened pencils, working pens, paper, and envelopes. There’s nothing more frustrating than sitting down to create and realising something’s missing—and for children, that can be enough to stop them in their tracks. They don’t always have the initiative yet to go find a sharpener or more paper, so removing those barriers really helps.
That said, never underestimate the novelty of a pencil sharpener! It was (and still is) a much-loved job at school—and a great opportunity to involve your child. Let them help tidy and restock their space so they feel a sense of pride and ownership. When they’re involved, they’re more likely to come back to it again and again.
3. Encourage Ownership Through Personalisation
Children thrive when they feel a sense of ownership over their environment, and that starts with the little things. Personalising a writing station doesn’t have to mean putting their name on everything (though a personalised print is always a lovely touch!). It can be as simple as letting them choose the pot they keep their pencils in, or helping to label a set of drawers for their favourite supplies.
When I created a writing station for Dolly, I gave her a mini drawer unit for her desk. She was so proud to help label each drawer using our little label maker — it wasn’t just about organising the space, it became hers. That small act made her more curious, more invested, and more likely to use the space in a way that felt joyful and natural.
If you’ve got the room, a pinboard or pegboard is a brilliant addition. It gives children a space to display their creations — a story they’ve written, a postcard they’ve received, a drawing they’re proud of — and creates opportunities to talk about what they’re making. These conversations help them feel seen and valued, and their confidence grows with every piece they pin up.
Decor like our adventure prints can also spark curiosity and imagination, while personalised “Writing Corner” signs help children feel like this space really does belong to them. And that sense of belonging is the quiet magic that turns a writing station into a place of creativity and connection.
4. Make It Easy to Get Started with Gentle Prompts
Even the most enthusiastic little writers can feel stuck staring at a blank page — and that’s where gentle, playful prompts come in. Having a few creative starters on display can make all the difference between “I don’t know what to write” and “Can I write another one?”
Try using simple, open-ended questions like:
- “Where would you go if you could fly anywhere?”
- “What would you put in your own secret treasure box?”
- “If your pet could talk, what would they say?”
These kinds of prompts spark imagination without pressure, helping children explore their thoughts through writing, storytelling, or drawing — whatever feels most comfortable.
You can also use visual prompts around the writing station to inspire ideas. Our “Where Will the Adventure Take You Today?” print does just that, with illustrations that hint at exciting themes like space travel, deep-sea diving, or safari adventures. For some children, pictures speak louder than words — they see a narwhal and suddenly they’re writing about a magical undersea kingdom.
Another brilliant way to support them is with our themed writing sets. Each one includes coordinating letter paper, envelopes, and stickers, and those little design details are often just the nudge a child needs to begin writing. Whether it’s a unicorn letter to a friend or a dinosaur postcard for Grandad, these sets turn writing into a fun, shareable experience that children can be proud of.
When the environment invites them in and gives them a clear starting point, children are more likely to engage — and to return again and again.
5. Create a Calm and Nurturing Atmosphere
The environment around us plays such an important role in how we focus, engage, and express ourselves — and it’s exactly the same for our children. A cluttered or overstimulating space can make it hard for little ones to settle into writing, whereas a calm, well-organised corner invites creativity to flow.
That’s why keeping the writing station clutter-free makes a big difference. You don’t need every single colouring pen or sticker on show — in fact, having fewer choices often leads to more focused and imaginative play. A small pot of sharpened pencils, a couple of favourite sheets of writing paper, and a few special stickers are often all that’s needed. Rotating resources regularly helps keep things feeling fresh without the overwhelm, just like rediscovering a forgotten treasure at the back of the cupboard.
Soft background music can also help set the tone. Fred loves using our smart speaker to pop on one of his calming playlists when he’s in the zone, while Dolly enjoys her Yoto Player with custom music cards — her way of tuning in when she wants to get busy without sitting in silence. It doesn’t have to be fancy — just intentional. We never have the TV or tablets on in the background, reserving them for dedicated screen time. That small boundary makes a big impact.
The goal is to create a space that feels safe, steady, and welcoming — somewhere your child can focus without distraction and enjoy the quiet joy of making something with their hands and heart.
Progress Over Perfection
At the heart of it all, encouraging children to write at home isn’t about doing things perfectly — it’s about creating an environment that feels safe, inspiring, and suited to them. Every child is different. Every home is different. Every day is different. What works wonders for one little writer might not work at all for another, and that’s okay.
Some children thrive with music playing softly in the background, while others need total silence. Some love themed writing sets filled with dinosaurs and sea creatures, while others might be drawn to blank pages where they can create their own worlds. The important thing is to start small, stay curious, and be willing to try a few different things to see what sparks their interest.
Our writing sets were designed with this flexibility in mind — to make writing feel playful, personal, and accessible. Whether your child uses them to send a note to Grandma, write a postcard to a friend, or simply draw what they’re feeling that day, each small moment of expression is a meaningful step forward.
And if you’ve found something that works well for your family — a favourite playlist, a print that inspired a story, or a cosy corner that suddenly clicked — I’d love to hear about it! Stories like yours are often what inspire my next ideas, and they remind us all that we’re on this creative journey together.