As any parent knows, creating the perfect play space for your children can feel like an impossible task. If you’re battling against boring toys, name brand characters, or constantly changing preferences, finding a way to make your child’s room more inspiring might seem like an uphill battle. We love facing home renovation challenges like these head-on and think that the best way to help foster creativity in your children is by starting fresh. Here are a few of our top tips to help you renovate your child’s room to invigorate creativity.
Room basics
While some renovation projects work within existing parameters, beginning with a blank canvas in your child’s room is the perfect way to help foster creative play and avoid too much of one particular theme. Opt for white or neutral walls with a few brightly colored decorative accents to make the space as fresh as possible. Make sure the space has plenty of natural light, fresh air, and soft and comfortable materials to help your children to feel relaxed. Finally, don’t forget to organize: too much clutter stifles creativity, so make storage your friend and consider rotating toys and play materials if your child has too many in the room at any time.
Craft corner
Once you have laid the framework for your child’s room, you can think about ways to encourage a variety of creative play situations. Most children love to get messy, so a play or craft area is essential. Stock this area often with safe, age-appropriate, and—most importantly—fun craft materials for your child. Choose items that encourage open-ended, creative play, and rotate these materials often to add variety and avoid boredom. While a low table or large counter space will suffice for crafting, we also love the idea of an easel or Tuff Spot tray for particularly messy activities because they contain the chaos and can be cleaned easily.
Role play station
When parents think of creative play, role play immediately comes to mind. Future performers will love a fully stocked dress-up corner complete with a stage and curtain, while more introverted children often enjoy engaging in home-based imaginative play sessions. Feel free to rotate the setup of your role-play station as your child’s preferences change, taking into consideration their strengths and desires when choosing your play materials. If you need suggestions to help you get started, choose toys and furniture pieces that encourage a variety of play scenarios rather than forcing a particular theme on your child’s imagination.
Building zone
Experimenting with building and construction is a key part of child development because it stimulates both the body and the mind at the same time. As gross and fine motor skills develop, children of all ages will benefit from play with building blocks, Legos, and other materials such as K’Nex or gear sets. When stocking this area of your child’s room, make sure to have plenty of table or countertop space available for the construction process, as well as a display area for completed projects. Finally, don’t forget safe and accessible storage for materials to eliminate clutter and keep the work surface tidy.
Quiet area
Although your child will love spending time in each of these various play areas in their newly renovated room, setting aside a place for relaxation and rest is just as important as active play. Find an unused corner of the room—preferably away from windows and doorways for soft light and minimal noise—and fill it with comfortable seating and cozy fabrics. As far as seating is concerned, a bean bag, large cushions and throws, or a small mattress are perfect for this kind of space. Fill the space with books, favorite soft toys, or other calming items to help your children unwind after a long day of playing. A quiet area like this is easily accomplished and can be adapted for children of different ages and developmental stages.
Author Bio:
Kaitlin Krull is a writer and mom of two girls. She enjoys writing for the home renovation and solar experts at Home Improvement Leads with the goal of empowering homeowners with expert renovation guidance and connecting them to qualified contractors.
