Creating a Great Playroom

Home Services, Parenting & Children — By 88DB Knowledge on August 23, 2012 11:23 am

playroom

Play is important in a child’s development. It helps with motor skills while stimulating their sense of wonder and creativity at the same time. So shouldn’t the room they spend time doing this suit the purpose? Here are some tips on how to create the perfect playroom.

Allocate a good space: When choosing a room to dedicate just for the kids, keep the following points in mind – it should be well-ventilated and well-lit, preferably in close proximity to where an adult would be (such as the kitchen or living room) in case of accidents. If you don’t have space for a dedicated playroom, then divide your child’s bedroom into thirds – sleeping area, study area and play area.
Design around a theme and primary colour: To get your child to enjoy their space and stay interested, always choose a theme and colour based on his or her preference. Little boys generally love themes that centre on pirates or cars, with reds and blues as their favourite colours. Girls on the other hand love pinks and purples, and love anything to do with princesses and fairies. If the playroom is to be shared by both a boy and girl, then stick to neutral colour palettes like a soothing green or a cheery yellow. Examples of neutral themes are anything to do with animals, such as the jungle or the zoo. Hot air balloons and travel or exploration based themes are also fun.
Add posters or paintings to the room: Not all of us have the budget or time to design a special mural on the walls for the kids. But this can be easily solved with bright, colourful posters or prints. These days, there are even removable wall stickers that you can include to add depth and interest to your kids’ rooms. And when the time comes for a re-modelling, they can be easily removed with any damage to your walls.
Choose good furnishings: There are various types of play and as such, you should provide the proper furnishings for them. Must haves are a nice table and chairs where they can sit and do craft or hold tea parties, and a nice comfy floor mat where they can spread out and play with their other toys. When choosing these items, bear in mind that they need to suit the theme and be easily cleaned when needed. A dedicated “cuddly area” – soft toys and bean bags – is also great to include.
Have plenty of storage: As the years progress, children will collect several toys, so make sure that you have ample space for them. Providing storage not only keeps the room tidy, but also presents the opportunity for you to teach your child to be tidy, organized and have a sense of pride in their personal space and belongings. Train them to put their toys away properly after play or before they go to bed each night.

And there you have it. Just keep these 5 simple tips in mind when creating your child’s bedroom or play area and you will have created a space for them to enjoy, and where the possibilities are endless.

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