Setting up a play area for your kids is the best way to give them their own space for playing. However, if you have limited space at home, it can be a huge problem. Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t set up an amazing one—you just need to know how.
That’s why, in this article, learn how to maximize your available space to create a fun and safe kids' play area. This article has put together easy and simple tips you can follow on how to do it. Use these to succeed in giving your kids the best area for their playtime.
7 Tips for Setting up a Kids Play Area in a Small Space
Follow these tips for an easy and perfect play area setup at home:
1. Pick a Space Close to You
Kids love to stay close to their parents, even at home. So, consider and pick a space that’s near to where you’ll also likely be when they’re playing, somewhere walkable perhaps. This way, they can effortlessly showcase their drawing or puzzle to you. Plus, when their play area is nearby, children tend to feel more wanted and loved.
2. Use a Kid-Friendly Mat or Carpet
Before setting anything else up, you might want to get and put a kid-friendly mat or carpet on the floor. This is a good way to designate your chosen space as their play area. Plus, it ensures that they’re comfortable while playing. It’s best to get a soft, foldable, and easy-to-wash carpet or mat. This way, it would be easier to clean and maintain their play area.
3. Be Smart With Storage
When setting up a small play area, it’s necessary to follow this organizational rule: everything needs its own home. This means that your kid's toys, educational items, and anything they’ll have in the play area should have dedicated storage. To avoid clutter, having storage spaces helps keep everything organized and simplifies toy rotation.
You can choose from different storage solutions, including baskets, bins, shelves, boxes, cabinets, etc. Pick one that would fit your space and your kid's toys.
4. Use Your Walls and Corners
When you have limited floor space to utilize, make the most out of your wall space and corners. This can be a dynamic and creative approach to creating a small play area. For example, you can utilize shelves as long as you make sure they’re safely anchored and installed. They’ll be ideal for storing your kid’s book. Or, you can opt for hanging organizers with pockets or hanging nets for their stuffed toys and other play items.
5. Choose Dual-Purpose Play Items
Since you’re working with a small area, you want to make sure you’re using good play-based furniture and toys—get dual-purpose items. This means things that you can convert and use anytime. One good example is a desk that converts to a play table or an ottoman that you can flip open for more storage. Dual-purpose items like these are space-savers.
Additionally, you can also get Montessori materials that can be used for different things as your kid plays. For example, the HABA Pro Cozy Corner Cave is a good table and corner cave. Your kid can use the top when coloring books and go underneath if they want to curl up and read a book. Plus, it’s designed for corners, so it would be an ideal option for small spaces.
6. Rotate Toys
Having a small space for a play area means you don’t have the privilege and space to keep up with your growing child’s collection of toys and books. That's why it's always recommended that they rotate their toys and books, switching them up often. With this, you’ll have a stash of their toys and books in a separate storage area, while the rest is what you keep in their play area.
By rotating toys, books, and games, your kid will be less likely to be overwhelmed by toy choices when playing. This approach also gives new life to these items. If your kid looks for something not in the play area, you can easily get it from your separate storage space.
7. Make Sure Everything is for Playing
As a parent, wanting the play area to be aesthetically pleasing with all the decor and furniture is understandable. However, remember that you’re only working with a small and limited space. Plus, it’s a play area—you don’t necessarily need anything that your kid can’t use for playing. Your priority should be filling the space with toys, books, and games that they will play with and use— mostly everything they can enjoy. After all, they’re kids, and these are what matters to them most in a play area.
Set Up the Perfect Play Area Today!
No matter how big or small your space is, you can always set up a dedicated kids' play area at your home. Just make sure that it’s in an area or corner near you and make sure to make the most out of every wall and corner.
Start by getting the perfect furniture, toys, and other play-based items. We have a vast collection of products from reliable brands that you can choose from. Shop today and get the play zone set up in no time!