Kids need space to play. Nobody would argue with that. If you’re lucky enough to have a spare room you can turn into a playroom, that’s the absolute ideal and we have some expert tips. But not everyone has that much space to spare, and often it’s more practical to make a play area in either a living or bedroom. Whichever you’d like to create, these ideas will help you make a play space your kids can’t wait to get to.
Make it Accessible
Try to see the play area from your child’s point of view. Little people need things low down so they can reach them. It also helps when toys and activities are on show, so their interest is piqued just by looking. This strategy helps kids become more independent and make decisions for themselves. They don’t need you to reach something down or suggest activities before they start playing.
Low-level shelving to display play items or hooks and pegs they can easily reach feeds their imagination and enables them to follow their natural curiosity. Try and keep toys out of boxes, so they’re always visible and available. It encourages independent choice and decision-making.
Make it Fun
The decor is as important for children as it is for adults. You want to make a play area both exciting and inviting. A simple colour scheme works well, using nature-inspired colours or maybe sticking to a single shade or tone. Mural nursery wallpapers or removable stickers can make a feature or create a theme.
Plain walls make the artwork stand out, but that’s not to say you can’t use bold colours. Just use them wisely so as not to accidentally make the area feel cluttered or too busy. Add pops of colour with accessories such as floor cushions, play mats or soft furnishings. Things like themed wall decals, pictures, posters, and photographs all brighten up the walls. And chalkboards, colourful shelves, and peg boards appeal to a kid’s sense of fun. There are some nice playroom decorating ideas here.
Make room for Physical Activity
Since it’s not always practical for kids to play outside, they need some way to burn off energy. Try and include plenty of floor space, so they can run and jump, bounce, balance, and dance if they want to. Physical play is as important as quiet, thinking styles of play since moving around helps them develop their motor skills. If there’s room, you could include things like ball pits or tents and tunnels to play in. It’s also good to have room for playmats, so there’s space to lay out train tracks or stack blocks. These toys encourage problem-solving and independent thinking.
Make Quiet, Creative Areas
Child-sized furnishings offer somewhere to encourage more thoughtful activities like arts and crafts, reading, or a place to lay out a puzzle.
When there’s a table and chairs that are designed for toddlers, you can relax and not worry about them falling or knocking things over.
Make it Versatile and Flexible
As far as possible, try and include toys, activities and games that offer a range of different play styles. These could include toys for role play, such as pretend kitchens or tool benches. Or educational play such as colouring, alphabet and number games, or books to read.
It’s often helpful not to have too many toys or games available at the same time. It really is possible to have too much of a good thing, accidentally creating an overwhelming muddle instead of an exciting selection.
Instead of offering everything all the time, try rotating playthings depending on your child’s current interests. Things they haven’t seen for a while will seem new and fresh again, and as a busy parent, you’ll appreciate having an easier time keeping the playroom tidy.
Adopting just a couple of these playroom ideas will help you make a special area that engages your child’s attention in a positive, skill-building way. It’s a tried and trusted strategy in the Montessori play method. Kids play and learn naturally, having fun in a safe but stimulating environment.
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