Are you tired of the kids’ toys and clutter invading your space? Do you wish your family spent less time in front of the television and more time in creative activities? If so, you may need to create a play area in your home.
Location! Location! Location!
A home play area is a room designated for play and toy storage. A play area should not be seen when you first walk into your home. The best play areas are located away from the entry of the home and have a door. Having a door is an essential part of the room because it allows kids the freedom to play messily. If an unexpected guest arrives, you don’t have to begin frantically cleaning; you only need to close the door of the play area to hide the chaos.
A Place for Everything and Everything in Its Place
Your home play area does not have to be a large space in order for it to be efficient. However, one of the most important parts of designing a play area is organization. Even the smallest of rooms can be utilized as long as there is place for everything. Begin by sorting toys and activities. Common categories are: books, games, crafts (such as coloring books, paint, clay and dough, markers, etc.), blocks, puzzles, dolls or action figures, plush animals, musical instruments and outdoor toys. After you have determined what you have, it may be a good time to get rid of things that aren’t used or are broken. Kids will actually play more often if they have fewer choices. That’s why it is a good idea is to box up half of the toys and games, and rotate them in and out on a continual basis. If you use this system, kids are less likely to get bored with what they have, and it also cuts down on unnecessary clutter.
Next, decide what you will need to effectively organize everything that will belong in the room. Each category should have its own storage system. For instance, books should be located on a short bookcase that is covered with a door. Tall shelves can be dangerous because they tip over easily. They are also inefficient for young children because they cannot reach the upper shelves. Having a door on the bookcase is beneficial because it will keep books stored away without tempting youngsters to empty the shelves on a daily basis.
Storage that utilizes cubbies or shallow plastic containers is a good investment. Open-topped containers are better than using containers with lids. The easier it is to clean up, the more likely your kids will be to help! Make sure each container is labeled, using pictures if necessary for younger children.
Also, it would be wise to store craft supplies at heights (such as a closet shelf) to prevent any unauthorized masterpieces appearing on the play area walls! Board games or electronics are also items you should consider putting out of reach.
“Centers” for Play
Have you ever visited a kindergarten classroom? Usually, desks are located in the middle of the room while the outer edges of the room have “centers” that are designated for a specific play purpose. For instance, many classrooms will have a “house center” consisting of a playhouse or toy kitchen with dolls. Other areas you might find would be a block center or art area. Your family play area can be designed like a classroom. Put beanbags or comfortable seating near the bookshelf to create a reading corner. Bring in a child-size table for coloring, art projects and games. If you own an easel, this would be a great place to locate it as well. The basic concept is to make each area of the room have a purpose for play.
Adding Creative Touches
Make your play area a unique space by adding personal touches. This would be a great place to display family photos on the wall, especially fun photos that aren’t portrait-style. Why not consider using chalkboard paint to transform wall space into a chalkboard? Hang clothesline across the length of a wall and display the children’s artwork by attaching them with clothespins. To add color to a room, you could make a wall border using handprints from each child. It is a fun family activity that will make the room look more playful and preserve those little handprints for a long time. It would also be a nice touch to add wall art that corresponds with each activity center (such as a “Reading is Fun” poster for the reading area or a “Home Sweet Home” picture for the house center). If you are really adventurous, you could paint a mural on the walls. There are many different fun and functional floor coverings that could be added to your room as well. Some floor coverings are made of foam and are giant puzzle pieces, while other rugs can be found with a roadmap design for kids who enjoy playing with cars.
A home play area can be a long-term solution for your family because the room can be easily changed as the children grow older and their activities mature. It can become a special place that encourages play, draws your family closer to one another, and helps keep the rest of your home clutter-free. What a great investment!
