Playroom Ideas: How to Craft the Perfect Space

Inside: Playroom storage, decor, and the best toys for kids to help craft the perfect space for your child to learn through play.

If you landed here, it means that Google sent you, as you searched, playroom ideas for kids. And good news! You’ve come to the right place. After years of being a teacher and now a mom to three boys, I had the chance to test and try out toy storage to craft the perfect nook in our house that my kids love. Believe me when I say that our playroom has come a long way and is now a cozy play space with organization solutions that keep kids playing longer. (Yep, it is possible!) You can create a timeless playroom for your child to grow in, not out of. I will show you how.

But before we dive in, I want to share my best tip. If you want your kids to play more, you cannot make a glamorous playroom in the basement and expect them to play all day. Kids like to stay close. Design a practical playroom somewhere you also like to spend time.

What should a playroom include?

The best playrooms include ways for children to play as an adult supervises in a comfy space within the room. The design should grow with your child, knowing the creative space may transition into an art or homework area as your child ages. Terrific playrooms have designated spaces for each type of play and practical storage solutions without buying out the Container Store. If you are like me, you prefer a playroom on a budget.

And I get it.

You spend hours scrolling Pinterest for unique playroom ideas but always wonder what comes next. Will your little boy or girl actually spend time PLAYING in that room you so carefully curated and color-coordinated? Do I need a bean bag or an interior designer? (Before you panic, no you do not need either.)

As I searched and scrolled, I never found exactly what I wanted: a playroom that encourages independent play. Not a playroom that had matching curtains or one too pretty to maintain.

More than a designated space for my children to play or store their toys, my three active little boys needed a floor space that allowed them to flourish in their imaginative, creative, and open-ended play.

With my background in early childhood education, I know that the best thing for kids isn’t just space and toys; it’s an environment that fosters true play.

I needed playroom ideas that would allow my three active boys to flourish in a way my educational background knew toddlers and preschoolers needed.

So, I created a timeless space for my children to play, complete with simple toy storage solutions and organizational hacks.

RELATED: Curious how I help inspire play? You will love our activity cards.

Inside this playroom guide, you will learn:

• What’s inside my playroom (links to furniture and decorations)
• DIY Magnetic wall for kids
• Puzzle storage solutions
• Toy storage that makes sense for kids
• Lego organization
• What’s inside an art cart?
• Playroom toys for every age and stage

RELATED: Need some ideas at your fingertips? Here are 50+ Play Ideas to get toddlers and preschoolers up and creating!

5 Playroom setup tips

The best place for a playroom is a location that works with the flow of your home. Think about where you spend most of your time, and try to find a spot nearby to set them up. From a dedicated room to clearing out a walk-in closet, finding a play nook can be as big or small as you want to make it. Kids do not need all these things. What children do need is unstructured time to play.

Consider a few things:

1. Kids like to stay close. Consider a space that is walkable to where you also like to be. Children like to check in and show an occasional Lego design or drawing. When your play space is nearby, children feel wanted and loved. Toddlers will likely stay as close as possible, so let’s set up a space that works for you and your child.
2. Good toys matter. We are looking for open-ended toys. This means the toys have a different start and finish each time they are played with.
3. Build play into your daily routine. Use this startup guide to play to help create your predictable schedule and find the same time each day your children are encouraged to go and play. Implementing Breakfast Invitations has been a game-changer for getting my boys to play more.
4. Consider age. You can begin to implement play for all ages, but it is essential to understand that the more you set time aside for play, the better players children will become. Rome was not built in a day. Consider your child’s age and remember that over time, consistency will playoff.
5. Show your child how you value play. When your child is playing, please take note of the actions they take. Build them up. Show them they are noticed when they come to you to share what they have worked on.

PRO TIP: As my child plays, I like to turn calming music on in the background. Think about the mood you’d like to set and start there trying different playlists.

What’s inside my playroom

Having an organized playroom is the start of setting your family up for independent play.

I believe in adult space (such as a sofa) within the child-centered playroom. This way, we can supervise our toddlers playing early on and watch them play as we enjoy that hot cup of coffee. For years, I would grab a magazine or book and read on the couch on the back wall as they stacked blocks. My oldest is nine and I still hop on the couch as they construct with their building toys.

Create different play zones within one room. Keep all things art in one area, and the board games and puzzles in another. This is a great way to break up the play space.

Decorating a playroom on a budget is possible with these ideas. If you invest in timeless pieces, you will see the playroom transform into a creative workspace as your child grows.

Whether your play space is at entry level or a nook in the closet, these ideas will get you organized.

How to Make a Magnetic Wall

Did you know that magnets stick to sheet metal? When I first began hanging a magnetic wall in our playroom, I searched high and low for the size I wanted. Many of the magnetic boards online were much smaller than I desired. I wanted a large magnetic board to take up one-third of the wall.

Finally, someone mentioned that I should head to a fabrication shop and purchase one large piece of sheet metal.

Inside this post, you will find how we secured it to the wall and a step-by-step guide to creating your magnet wall for your home.

Playroom Storage Ideas

It doesn’t matter if you have a small play space or dedicate an entire room. If you are stepping on toys (cough, Legos, cough) as you walk to get your coffee, it may be time to give them a home. Decluttering a playroom is overwhelming, so I have done the work to make sure I can point you to what has worked for our family for play and cleanup. I’ve spent the last nine years searching for functional playroom storage pieces for all your open-ended toys that last over time.

Puzzle Storage

Stepping on puzzle pieces? Jamming jigsaws into the desk drawer when company comes?Missing corners to your favorite chunky puzzle?

We were too! That is until we came up with this genius puzzle storage solution. Finally, a simple way to gather the pieces to each puzzle ONCE so that it can be played time and time again without any missing pieces

Gather everything from your floor puzzles to your sound puzzles. It is time to get organized!

RELATED: Here are my favorite puzzles for toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids.

Lego Storage Ideas

Okay, I admit that stepping on a Lego is not my favorite. Legos into the heal does not bring out my best self. (sigh) So the trick is finding the pieces you need without Legos pouring over the dining room table onto the floor because no one needs that amongst the chaos of daily life.

I also wanted a Lego storage solution that was neutral in color without screaming primary colors. I try to blend toy storage into our home decor and love what we find. This is a great way to store Legos in the playroom or a nearby closet.

Art Center

If you want to include art and craft supplies in your space, this art cart is an outstanding option. I put it together with the boys when they were toddlers and preschoolers. Here is how to inspire creativity in a way that makes sense within our home.

Which toys are best for the kid’s playroom?

Having good (actually, great) toys for kids matter. Look for open-ended toys that appeal to your child’s interest. I organized this toy list for kids by age, stage, and interest.

Important takeaways

Remember, finding the perfect kid’s playroom for your child does not have to be complicated.

Take some ideas from these lists above and begin to rearrange your space slowly. Over time you will notice how your child plays more independently.

Play is one of the most important jobs your child has. You heard me right! Everything your child can manipulate and touch in the younger years will help them better understand everything they read about later.

We rush to get little children reading and writing that we forget to teach them how to think.

Instead, let’s dive into play the way we remember doing so as a child. Allow children unstructured time at home to work out the boredom and rise to the occasion of problem-solving. We need a dedicated play space with open-ended toys that allow our children to grow confident and learn as they play.

RELATED: I am so passionate about allowing children the gift of play, and pediatricians are eagerly advising it, too!

Playroom Ideas FAQ