Playtime: From Newborn to Toddler a Playroom that Grows With Your Child
As quoted by Winnie The Pooh “Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” As parents, this is an important concept to remember. Try not to sweat the small stuff and remind yourself that the most simple things, like playing, for example, will be what your child remembers most when they look back. Having a dedicated space to hold their books, toys, and collectibles is every child's dream. A long-lasting playroom that can bring them years of entertainment will make them happy and is better for your budget!
Planning a playroom design that grows with your child might sound like a daunting task, but don’t worry, these helpful ideas will make the job easier to accomplish.
Choosing a Space and Financing the Project
If you are lucky enough to have an extra room in your home this is a great option for building a playroom. With limited space, you can always create a play area in the living room or your child’s bedroom. Or you can transform a room you dont use as much for your kids. See the example below of a mama who transformed her formal dining room into her kids play room.
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Before getting started, draw up a sketch of what you would like the playroom to look like and what it will include. This will help guide your buying decisions and show you how much the renovation will cost.
Funding a playroom can be expensive for new parents. If you own your home, you might want to look into how to get a home equity loan. With a home equity loan, you receive the money in a lump sum, allowing you to make the renovation right away. Another perk is you can deduct the interest on a home equity loan if you’re using the money for home improvement. Other tips to help save money are repurposing furniture and using your children’s artwork for decoration. Check out these helpful ideas for more budget friendly playroom tips.
Picking a Theme and Colors
A playroom will be a place where you and your family spend a lot of time. When it comes to a theme and picking paint colors, try to pick colors you will enjoy for a while. Don’t pick a color that you can’t stand to look at! You should focus on gender-neutral colors if you plan on having more kids. Check out these ten colors that will help you design a fun and imaginative playroom. Also, to keep the room sustainable and healthy, try to purchase eco-friendly paints. Peel and stick wall decals work great for adding thematic elements to your playroom.
Popular themes include zoo animals, dots and stripes, moon and stars, and forest friends. Other ways to incorporate the theme into your playroom include rugs, pillows, blankets, and plush items like a playmat. A playmat provides a great focal point in the center of the room and is a soft place for you to place your baby. These playmats are plush and go with any color room.
Adding the Necessary Elements
The key to a functional playroom is organization and easy cleanup. Adding flooring that is fun and easy to clean is a great way to avoid major messes. Toy cubbies for storage bins work well to keep toys and supplies in one place. This makes them easy to find and put away. For books and coloring, create a reading corner in the playroom with a bookshelf, a comfy pillow, and some of your child's favorite stuffed animals. When adding elements like storage cubbies and bookshelves, make sure they’re constructed at an ideal height for toddlers. An ideal height is 1-2 feet and an open concept is best so they can see everything.
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Adding the Fun Elements
A playroom is not complete without some fun toys that will spark joy! If space allows, a great addition to your playroom is a swing. Our macrame baby swing matches any color scheme and is long-lasting; it can be used after your child reaches 6 months and up to 50 lbs. This is great for a growing child and if you plan to add more children to your family. This is an item that will create a lot of memories and fun playtime for your child. Another popular playroom addition is a space with a tent or a fort where your child can relax, read, or just think. For something more active, a ball pit is an exciting element to add as well.
Shop Finn + Emma's hand-crafted macrame baby play swing
When adding items to your playroom, try to consider products that your child can use long-term, or that would be useful with a second child. That way you are saving money and getting the most use out of your toys. A craft corner is also an option and is great for combining fun and learning. For craft ideas check out this article that focuses on STEM learning. A playroom should seek to inspire creativity and imagination.
Thinking About Safety
As always with newborns and toddlers, you need to consider safety measurements. Kids love to get into anything and everything. A playroom should be fun and injury-free. Make sure there are no exposed sharp objects or edges. Also make sure shelving or cubbies are secure so they can’t tip or fall over. If you have both a newborn and toddler using the playroom, keep in mind the size of toys and make sure anything with a choking hazard stays up where they can’t reach. If you do add a swing or fort make sure they are properly secured.
Making Your Playroom Last
Although it can be more costly upfront, putting extra time and money into quality products will ensure that your playroom is usable for years to come. A playroom that can grow with your child will provide so many benefits and opportunities for play and learning. Consider items that have dual purposes or that are two in one. Look for carpets that can be washed or cleaned easily. A great toy that has multi-purposes is this Om Rocker which grows from being a lay flat rocker to a seat for a toddler. This is a great item for two kids because it can be used as a rocker for your baby and a fun balance board for your toddler (quality investment for sure!). Bouncers are also a great addition for newborns. If you are on the fence about what to purchase check out this article comparing both rockers and bouncers. Focusing on products that are sustainable in terms of materials and longevity is good for your baby and the environment!
