15 Flexible Seating Ideas

Flexible seating has become all the rage in elementary school classrooms. Rather than confining kids to traditional tables and chairs, teachers are giving students lots of different seating options so that children can take control of their learning and find a classroom work space that feels best to them.

Get inspired by this flexible seating roundup of our favorite flexible seating ideas and then hop over and snag our Writing Center Starter Kit to set up your classroom for even more success!

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Flexible Seating for Success

Now, before we jump in, you may be wondering about flexible seating, “How in the world do you keep kids focused when they’re allowed to wander around the room?”

The answer? Setting expectations and providing lots of practice.

With privilege comes responsibility so students must find a spot that helps them stay productive and focused. If they don’t, they can be moved and (gasp!) assigned a work spot.

And just like anything new, modeling what good choices look like and giving children plenty of opportunities to practice during those first few days of flexible seating sets the class up for success.

Kids will love trying out all of their options those first few days so that they can find the few that work best for them.

Now let’s checkout some inspiring flexible seating ideas…

This first grade classroom includes balance disks like this for kids who want to sit on the floor and yoga balls like these for children who prefer a little height. // Miss Snable’s First Grade

I love Heidi Songs’ low cost version of the yoga balls: a bouncy ball in a crate. Genius! // Heidi Songs

And one teacher lets her kids move their seating options around the room. // Teaching with a Mountain View

In another classroom, kids can use lap desks like these ones from Amazon when they’re sitting on the floor. // Kindergarten is Grrreat

Want reusable sit spots instead of buying an expensive rug?! Three words: velcro sit spots! // Keeping up with Mrs. Harris

Kids can lounge in fold-able beach chairs… // Mrs. Reller’s Classroom*

Or adirondack chairs. // Sparking in Second Grade

They can even get comfy in laundry baskets! // Heidi Songs*

Let kids lay on a rug or cozy up in an oversized chair. // Snarky Gingersnap*

Set up a cafe table with stools. // Teach Create Motivate

If you’re up for a DIY project, you can even turn some recycled tires into super cool furniture. // The Real Housewives of Riverton

Or make some colorful benches. // The Teeny Tiny Teacher

You can use risers like these ones to make standing desks. // Teel’s Treats

Set up a reading fort with PVC piping. // Little Miss Kimberly Ann

Or make a no sew teepee! // EHow

There are so many possibilities!

Grab Your Writing Center Starter Kit

Speaking of getting your room ready for a successful year, grab our Writing Center Starter Kit for more fun!