We all want our kids to be happy and healthy, and since research shows that there is more physical activity and creativity involved in playing outdoors, it’s no wonder that children would rather be running around outside than being stuck indoors.
However, if you live in an area where the weather can be unpredictable, or if it’s just not practical to expect your child to stay outside for hours on end, there are plenty of indoor playroom ideas for kids that will keep little ones active and engaged longer than a movie on TV ever could. Here are seven ideas that you can use to make your kids’ playroom even more fun.
1. Kid-Friendly Color Palette
One of the most important elements in creating a fun, inviting space is to use interesting textures and colors. If you want your kids to be engaged in their activities for longer periods of time, put out lots of different materials so that they can choose which ones they’d like to work with.
When deciding on the colors for your child’s playroom, make sure you choose colors that work together well. This will help bring a sense of balance and harmony to the room that will encourage children to use their imagination and play for longer periods of time.
2. Introduce Sensory Play
If your children enjoy sensory play, which most babies and toddlers do, you’ll want to think about creating an area where they can manipulate lots of different sensory experiences. Sensory tables, trays, and boxes are a great way to set up the play that’s designed for sensory exploration.
If you don’t want to go with such a structured approach, just make sure that you include plenty of interesting textures and colors to keep little ones interested.
3. Multi-Functioning Play Area
When creating an area in your home or building a play space inside a room, it’s important to provide variety. This can be accomplished with different levels, textures, shapes, materials, and colors.
An important thing to remember when designing a multi-level play area is that younger children often need more stability than older ones. You can divide the play area into different sections using colorful, sliding doors with barn door hardware. This keeps a well-organized playroom that’s also stylish and multi-purpose.
4. Ensure There Is Lots of Entertainment
It’s important that the room includes plenty of entertainment to go along with all the sensory input. A great way to get them moving is to set up some basic games. This can be anything from a giant tic-tac-toe board, board game, pouncing, or chasing ball games. You can catch kids in the act of chasing a ball and then set up your own version of catch-me-if-you-can.
5. Wall Decals
As kids get older and discover new things, their interests, styles, and activities usually change. If you don’t want to commit to particular wall color or theme, stick-on wall decals are the ideal décor solution for your playroom. You can also use vinyl wall stickers to create your own personalized theme. One great advantage of these décor solutions is that they are quite easy to remove and you can adopt another theme once you remove them.
6. Storybook Section
For children who love to read, consider adding a small area that includes all of the books they enjoy most. This will encourage them to explore their interests on their own and also help improve their reading skills.
A comfy chair, rocking chair, or stuffed cushions should also be available to allow them to settle in for hours of reading pleasure.
7. Storage Section
One of the best ways to keep toys and “treats” out of sight when you have little ones running around is by creating a storage system in wall cabinets and shelves. This will make it easier for them to organize things without them getting lost all over the place.
Research has shown that play is essential for the growth and health of kids. When creating a playroom for your child, make sure that you have plenty of options so that they can choose what they’d like to do based on their interests. The style and décor need to be age-appropriate and the space should be planned with safety in mind.