Our Playroom
A safe, organized, inviting play space is key to cultivating more developmentally magical play!
Children need time to become themselves through slow, purposeful play. If we overwhelm kids with too much stuff, too many choices, and too much on the schedule, we rob them of creativity, imagination, and finding their true-self. The fragmentation and overload can quickly lead to big feelings and tricky behaviors: whining, entitlement, tantrums, difficulty sharing, and sibling rivalry.
We must protect their childhood and create a space where they can flourish.
Simple, organized spaces invite more creative, sustained play. Research even shows children are more successful on standardized tests in simple, clean, less-distracting classrooms. Fewer choices = less decision fatigue, less stress, more focus, more creativity. Organized spaces also foster more independence.
But if you don’t have a lot of space, please don’t fret. When Mackenzie was little, we lived in a small home without a designated playroom so we incorporated a six cube shelf, baskets, and toy rotation into a tiny corner of our kitchen to create a simple, kid-friendly, organized space where she could play freely! It worked well and cleanup was simple.
Now we have a playroom off the kitchen and it’s an incredible blessing to our family. I can cook while they play independently.
Here’s a roundup of links from our play space, since this is a question I receive(d) almost daily on Instagram.
The Best Items From Our Playroom:
Adjustable Chair & Table Set // save with code sunnyseed
Spinning marker/crayon organizer (not pictured)
Rug - I get questions about this all the time. It is cozy blended wool, which is nontoxic, but also traps little crumbs easily. I call it a Mona Lisa – looks great from far away, but get up close and it looks slightly dirty and worn.
I sometimes wish I would have gotten a Ruggish Play Mat instead. It’s free of BPA, Phthalate, Lead, Latex, Formaldehyde and EVA.
XL Rocker (pastel color) in our family room
We are very fortunate to have an open loft upstairs. In our previous home, we only had enough space for this six cube shelf! It worked well with toy rotation.
Not pictured: mini trampoline
Doll House (no longer sold)
