Play House Cube Reading Cube for Preschool

The Whitney Brothers Play House Cube is a wooden reading cube that gives one or two children a small space of their own in a busy room. It measures 29 x 30.5 x 29 in, has six sides and can stand with the roof on or with the top open. Children use it to read, play or simply have a few quiet minutes away from the group. It is made in the US by Whitney Brothers, model WB0210, for children from about 18 months to 6 years.

How This Reading Cube Works

The cube is built from six birch plywood panels. Set it up with the roof overhead and it becomes a covered, cozy space that feels like a little house. Turn it over and the top stays open, which suits rooms where staff want more light inside or an easier view in. Either way the floor area is large enough for a preschooler or two, or for one child to curl up with a pillow and a book.

Whitney Brothers states that the Play House Cube meets state requirements for a quiet space in early learning programs. Many licensing rules ask for an area where a child can be alone for a while and still be supervised. A reading cube gives that area clear edges without a separate room. Check your own state's rules for the exact wording.

Built for Daily Use

All edges are rounded over and sanded smooth. The panels are birch plywood with a non-toxic natural UV finish, which the manufacturer says stands up to heavy daily use. The cube is GREENGUARD Gold certified, a certification for low chemical emissions that many childcare centers look for in furniture for young children.

Product Details

Add the Blue Floor Mat

The Whitney Brothers Blue Floor Mat, model WB0211, is made to fit inside the cube. It is a 28.5 x 27 in vinyl pad, 1 in thick, that adds cushioning for sitting and reading and wipes clean. The mat is GREENGUARD Gold certified, made in Mexico and covered by a one-year warranty. Choose it as an option when you order the cube.

Is a Reading Cube Right for Your Room?

Most kids reading nook furniture is a bench, a bookshelf or a canopy against the wall. A reading cube works differently: it stands on its own, it is enclosed on several sides, and it can go anywhere in the room. That makes it a good fit when you need a quiet space more than extra book storage, or when the walls are already taken by shelves and cubbies.

If you are planning a full calm area, the cube pairs well with a few sensory wall panels nearby. Our sensory wall panels for daycare give children a hands-on activity at standing height next to the quiet seat. Our guide to what should be in a sensory room covers planning a space by zones, and the sensory room equipment collection shows other pieces for the same space.

Where It Works Best

• Daycare and preschool classrooms. A defined quiet space that meets licensing expectations.
• Pre-K and kindergarten. A reading cube in the library corner for one or two readers.
• Toddler rooms. A low, enclosed spot for children from about 18 months.
• Special education classrooms. A predictable place to take a break from noise and activity.
• Therapy and early intervention rooms. A small private space for calming down between activities.
• Libraries, churches and museums. A cozy reading spot in a children's area.
• Homes and playrooms. A playhouse cube that doubles as a reading corner.

Ways Children Use the Cube

The simplest use is reading: add the mat, a pillow and a small basket of books, and the cube becomes a reading spot for one or two children. With the roof on, it turns into a little house for pretend play. Teachers also use it as a privacy cube for a child who needs a few minutes alone, with a soft toy or a picture book inside. Some classrooms hang an alphabet or picture card on the inside wall so children can practice letters while they sit. Keep the contents simple, so the reading cube stays calm rather than crowded.

Setup

1. Unpack the panels and follow the Whitney Brothers assembly instructions. An adult assembles the cube with hand tools.
2. Decide whether to use it with the roof on or with the top open, and assemble it that way.
3. Place it where staff can see the opening from the main area of the room.
4. Add the floor mat and a few soft items, then check that all fasteners are tight.

Safety and Care

Use the cube indoors with adult supervision. Do not let children climb on the roof or stand on the top edge. Place it on a flat floor away from heaters and windows with cords, and check the hardware from time to time.

Wipe the wood with a soft, damp cloth and a little mild soap, then dry it right away. Avoid abrasive cleaners, ammonia and standing water. The vinyl mat can be wiped with the same mild soap solution.

Why Buy From BumbleBeeSmart

BumbleBeeSmart is an authorized Whitney Brothers dealer, so this cube arrives new and eligible for the manufacturer's warranty. We carry it alongside our own handcrafted sensory wall panels, so one order can cover a quiet space and a tactile wall for the same room.