Made For Play Blog
Explore child development through play, find inspiration for your next DIY project, and discover tips for selecting the perfect toys for your little ones.
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KidKraft Dollhouse Assembly Tips
When you bring a new KidKraft dollhouse box through your door, one thing’s for sure: your kiddos will be non-stop balls of excitement and anticipation until it’s ready. The only thing standing between them and hours of dollhouse fun? Assembly. But no worries – all KidKraft dollhouses come with easy-to-follow instructions, and we’ve got a few extra dollhouse assembly tips to make the process even easier and faster! Read All the Instructions You’re way less likely to make frustrating mistakes if you give all the dollhouse assembly instructions a quick read before you get started. And don’t worry, it won’t take that long. Most of our instructions are pictures only, so just glancing through will give you a strong idea of what pieces will go where and the order in which you’ll complete each step. If you lose your paper copy, you can find full instructions for all of our current products online! Just find the product page for your dollhouse and download the PDF. Clear a Wide Space If you can create a wide, open space for your assembly process, it’ll be easier to organize all your pieces before you start building. We recommend moving all other toys and objects out of the space (and maybe even temporarily moving small pieces of furniture like your coffee table if needed). With all other clutter out of the way, you’ll be less likely to lose pieces as you work. Inventory and Organize Use all that clear space to take inventory of all your pieces and organize them before you get started. Your instructions will have a detailed list of everything that’s included. Make sure you have everything you should before you start and organize them all into designated spots in your open area. On the off chance that you are missing a piece or something is damaged, get in touch with us right away, and we’ll send you a replacement part ASAP. Have a Friend With your instructions read, your space clear, and your pieces organized, you’re ready to get started! KidKraft dollhouses can be assembled by a single person, but if possible, we recommend having a friend or family member around to help. It’ll be easier to line up large pieces… and make the whole process more fun! Have a Plan for the Kids Depending on the age of your kids, you may want to plan assembly for a time when they’re out of the house or in bed. Younger kiddos are likely to move pieces around (or at the very least ask you every five minutes if it’s ready yet!) If you know they’ll have very little patience as they wait for their dollhouse to be ready, you may want to keep everything top secret until it’s completely assembled and ready to go. On the other hand, older kids may actually be great helpers and enjoy telling everyone “I built it myself!” Reach Out Again, if you have any missing or damaged pieces, let us know ASAP so we can make it right! If you have any other questions, email us at customerservice@kidkraft.com or call us at 1-800-933-0771. We’re always here to help! Still shopping for your perfect dollhouse? Check out our tips for How to Choose the Best Dollhouse for Toddlers!
Engaging Your Child in DIY Projects at Home
By providing hands-on experiences, DIY projects allow children to take risks and learn from their mistakes, boosting their confidence and giving them valuable practice with problem-solving skills, fine motor skills, and creative exploration. Whether it’s something as complex as putting together a birdhouse kit or as simple as a macaroni necklace, kids benefit from the chance to create! Here are some tips to help give your kiddo a can-do attitude when it come to DIY projects at home: Finding the Right DIY Project Finding the right DIY project for kids can be a bit of a Goldilocks situation. You want it just difficult enough that your child is interested in the challenge but not so difficult that it causes them to give up… and triggers a meltdown in the process. Choose projects that are age-appropriate, considering your child’s fine motor development, problem-solving skills, and emotional regulation. When in doubt, Start with simple projects. Starting with easier projects can help build your child's confidence and encourage them to keep going. Plus, it gives you an accurate idea of their current skill level, so you know exactly how much of a challenge they can handle next time. That being said, don’t be afraid to pursue projects that might traditionally be considered too advanced for young kids. Kids get pretty stoked at the chance to use real tools like screwdrivers and hammers or to make a recipe on their own. Just be sure you’re supervising for safety whenever necessary! Setting Up Your DIY Project Space A child-friendly project space sets your kids up for success! But don’t overthink it. Just keep these basics in mind, and you should be good to go: Make it ergonomic Kids will have an easier time focusing on the project if they aren't struggling to stay in their chair or reach their tools. You can use a kid-sized craft table or desk, or just add a booster seat to the dining room table. Whatever you do, just make sure they are comfortable and can reach everything on the work surface. Provide all the (child-sized) tools Before you get started, make sure your kiddo has everything they need within reach. Ideally, those tools will be appropriate for tiny hands. Miniature kitchen tongs, child safety scissors, and child-sized gardening tools will be far easier for your child to handle than their full-size counterparts. Keep it clutter-free Tiny bodies come with tiny attention spans, and clutter does not help. Try to clear everything out of the workspace except for necessary project materials. Executing the DIY Project With the project chosen and the space setup, it’s time to get started on project perfection… or is it? Remember that for your kids, the process is way more important than the end product! As long as they’re having fun, getting creative, and staying safe, the project is a win. Opt for open-ended With that being said, we know kids sometimes have a perfectionist streak that can make enjoying the process hard if the project isn’t turning out as they’d hoped or if they need more help than they want. In these cases, it might be helpful to offer more open-ended DIY crafts for kids. For example, consider a project like making a “stained glass” suncatcher (using bits of colorful tissue paper and contact paper inside of a cutout construction paper frame) lets your child choose which colors to add and how to arrange them but doesn’t need to look a certain way to be a success. You can keep things even more fluid by simply offering a range of craft supplies and seeing what your child does with them. Craft pom poms glued to popsicle sticks? Brilliant. Cutting up strips of construction paper to glue onto a paper plate? Sure, why not? Remember, process over product. Encourage creativity What happens when your child takes the project in a direction that’s not exactly by-the-book? As long as they’re staying safe and not destroying property, let them take the lead! So maybe instead of your cute idea to make animals out of toilet paper tubes, your child simply wants to make a magic telescope by gluing odds and ends to the tube? That is still a win! Prepare your child for the challenges When you do choose a more difficult project that will require some adult help, try to talk to your child beforehand about the challenges they may face and the areas they may need help in. They love the privilege of participating in “grown up” projects like painting the playhouse or planting a real garden. But since there’s less room for error here, just let them know that these are projects where you’ll have to work together as a team and follow instructions closely. Hopefully, this talk will help set their expectations and manage emotions when parts of the project are tricky. Celebrate! Your words of encouragement and interest in your child’s creations mean the world to them. So no matter how those projects turn out, be sure to celebrate your child’s efforts. Try pointing out specific choices they made rather than offering general “good jobs!” And don’t forget to ask them to tell you about the project too – you’d be surprised at what they see in their own “abstract” creations!
How Long Do Kids Play With Dollhouses
Dollhouses are more than just cute (though they are that) – they’re a wealth of developmental play opportunities. Most importantly, dollhouses facilitate imaginative play that helps kids grow their social skills and make sense of the world. Kids act out social situations, imagine multiple perspectives and personalities, and perform practice runs of social conflicts. What is a good age for a dollhouse? We find that dollhouse play aligns best with the developmental needs and play preferences of kids ages 3 - 9. At these ages, kids love to engage in imaginative and pretend play and act out social scenarios. The beauty of dolls and dollhouses is that they can grow with them as their imaginations become more complex. Toddlers will love simply reenacting every day activities in their dollhouses, while older kids will create elaborate storylines and characters. Each child is different, of course, but in general, here’s how you can expect kids of different ages to play and learn with their dollhouse. 1-2 Years Those chubby-cheeked toddlers are just starting to engage in pretend play. They may hug and brush the hair of a baby doll, but most kids under two won’t really understand the concept of pretending their dolls live in a dollhouse. But that doesn’t mean they won’t still have fun with them! Toddlers love exploring features on a dollhouse like sound effects and doors that open and close. They’ll also enjoy rearranging furniture and finding all the different ways they can fit dolls and accessories into the rooms of the dollhouse. At this age, dollhouses are often more about spatial exploration, fine motor skills, and cause and effect than they are about pretend play. As they inch closer to 3 years old though, you’ll start to see them engage in simple pretend play like putting dolls to bed or making them sit at the kitchen table. Their ideal dollhouse: Very durable No small pieces that can be choked on Doors or accessories to open and close 3-5 Years You’ll really see the fun begin here. Around these ages, kids will begin to create storylines with their dolls and act them out in the dollhouse. And no, those stories don’t always make sense, but that’s okay! Just by imagining conflicts and scenarios – no matter how silly they are – your child is still gaining so much understanding of the world and other people. Their ideal dollhouse: Big enough to play with friends Not so tall that they can’t reach the top floors Simple, sturdy furniture that they can move around without breaking 6-9 Years We love these years for dollhouse play. The creativity you saw earlier only begins to grow, and you may be surprised at just how developed their pretend worlds are. You may also notice that your kiddos’ interests shift to different types of dolls in these years. They may become less interested in a family set of dolls and more interested in Barbies or dolls that look like teenagers. Unfortunately, at this age many boys experience social pressure that prevents them from playing with dolls and dollhouses, or they simply gravitate more towards other kinds of toys. Because dollhouse play can be so beneficial for developing empathy and social skills, consider providing similar toys that match your little boy’s interests like the Everyday Heroes Set. Their ideal dollhouse: Big enough to play with friends A dollhouse that fits the type and size of doll they enjoy More detailed accessories and furniture 10-12 Years The golden days of the dollhouse may be winding down at this point, but even those precocious preteens still have fun with dolls and dollhouses. Though at this age, you can expect that play to look different than it used to. For some older kids, playing with their dollhouse becomes a top secret activity. If friends and classmates have stopped playing with dollhouses, your child may start to be self-conscious about still enjoying dollhouses. Though there’s a decent chance their friends are doing the same thing. For others, dollhouses begin to become more of a tool for social play and less an activity they do by themselves. In other words, when your child has a friend over, they may love world-building and playing out complex social situations with dolls and dollhouses, but you may notice that they enjoy dollhouses less when playing alone. So what age is good for a dollhouse? Almost any child pre-teen or younger can benefit from dollhouse play, but the sweetest spot is often between four and nine years old. Their imaginations are going full steam, and they’re always looking for new ways to pretend. Trying to find the perfect dollhouse? Check out our collection of dollhouses, dollhouse accessories, and dolls!
How Activity Tables Support Child Development
Let’s gather round the table – the activity able that is– for a chat about how these fun furniture pieces can support your child’s development. What are activity tables? First off, let’s cover what we mean by “activity table.” While the term is sometimes applied to bouncer-style toys meant for babies, that’s not what we’re talking about here. Our definition is a little more straightforward…as in a kid-sized table meant for activities. Simple enough, right? Usually, those tables will be meant for one of three activities: building bricks (such as LEGOs or similar plastic bricks), train sets, or arts & crafts. Plus, some tables offer a reversible table top, making them suitable for multiple activities. So without further ado, let’s dive into just how these tables can support your littles as they learn and grow! Improving fine motor skills Playing with building bricks and toy train tracks and utilizing arts and crafts supplies requires the use of fine motor skills, such as grasping, pinching, and manipulating small objects. Building a LEGO masterpiece, managing a pair of safety scissors, or adjusting the loops on a train track help build hand-eye coordination dexterity. Developing spatial awareness Spatial awareness is one of those developmental skills that’s not talked about a ton, but is super important for proprioception (awareness of our body in space) and even academic skills like learning to read and write from left to right. One of the best ways to build spatial awareness in young toddlers? Block play! Building with blocks or building bricks requires kids to visualize and manipulate 3D objects in their mind, which can help develop their spatial awareness and understanding of spatial relationships. Similarly, playing with train sets requires children to understand spatial relationships, such as how the train tracks fit together. Enhancing creativity and problem-solving skills LEGO bricks and train tracks offer kids endless opportunities to create their own designs and track configurations, and crafting lets kids get creative with a wide variety of different materials. And when those designs and ideas need adjusting? Kids get a chance to flex their problem-solving skills – a huge part of cognitive development – as they figure out how to re-build or troubleshoot their project. Encouraging persistence and resilience When those problem-solving skills come into play, your child’s persistence will too! And sure, persisting through a frustrating challenge can be super tough for a toddler. But letting them face these challenges is critical for building the grit and resilience they’ll need as they grow! So when the train track or brick tower doesn't work out as planned, it’s an opportunity to help your child develop a growth mindset, letting them realize that practice and persistence leads to improvement! Fostering social skills One of the best parts about activity tables is that they let kids engage in their favorite activities with a friend! The tables have that cool-factor that makes them a hit at every play date, and they’re spacious enough to let several kids join in on the project at once. Of course, you’ll probably spend a fair amount of time around the table as well, building, collaborating, and creating with your child. The takeaways… Overall, activities like train sets, building bricks and crafts offer a fun and engaging way to develop a range of cognitive and fine motor skills. And while you don’t necessarily need an activity table to do these activities, having one is a great way to encourage your child to engage in those activities regularly, providing a dedicated space that draws them in and lets them focus. Whether your kiddo is into building, crafting, or playing with train sets, you can find the perfect activity table for them here!
Creating a Functional Montessori Playroom
If you're looking to create a Montessori-inspired playroom for your little one, you may feel overwhelmed by the insanely aesthetic pictures you see on social media … or the price point of some Montessori toys! But no worries – we’ve got some great tips for designing your Montessori playroom without stressing about what you see on social media. Here’s how you can get started! Offer Montessori-style activities and toys Of course, a Montessori playroom should have Montessori-approved activities… but this is where many parents get hung up or discouraged. They may feel like their kids should only play with wooden puzzles or feel like they can’t implement Montessori unless they have the budget for expensive Montessori toys. The truth is plenty of Montessori-inspired activities can be recreated with items you already have in your home! And there are plenty of affordable, Montessori-style toys as well. These tips for doing Montessori on a Budget from Ashely Yeh can get you started without breaking the bank! (Plus, she offers the great reminder that Montessori is far more about respect for your child than it is about the stuff!) Observe your child We know, this tip doesn’t actually have anything to do with setting up a playroom, but observation is an essential part of the Montessori method! When your child plays independently, dedicate some time to watching them without interrupting or influencing their play. Take note of what captures their focus and of what challenges or problems they are interested in solving. Doing so will help you identify the types of toys and activities you should offer. Use natural materials Montessori emphasizes the use of high-quality, natural materials like wood, cotton, and wool. Whenever possible, choose these materials over plastics, but again, don’t stress over this. Limit the number of toys Montessori believed that too many toys could overwhelm a child and hinder their ability to focus and engage in purposeful play. By providing a limited number of toys, children are more likely to use them in a meaningful way, explore them in depth, and develop their creativity and imagination. So rather than filling the playroom with a ton of toys, try to keep it simple and rotate out toys as your child loses interest in them. Encourage creativity In most Montessori classrooms, kids can access art supplies any time they’d like (and they’ve been well-guided in how to clean up after themselves, so the messes are minimal!) You can recreate these art stations in your Montessori playroom by providing open-ended art supplies like modeling dough, paints, and other craft supplies. Incorporate practical life skills Montessori education emphasizes practical life skills, so consider adding things like a child-sized broom and dustpan, a watering can, and other child-sized tools to encourage your child's independence and responsibility. Pro tip: Montessori families often add a wooden play kitchen to encourage practical life skills and imaginative play. Many take it a step further by using the play kitchen as a functional kitchen. This means adding real utensils, plates, cups, and even real food ingredients (like simple snacks children can prepare themselves) to the play kitchen. Of course, you know your child best, so only provide the tools and food you know they can handle safely. Remember, your playroom doesn’t need to look Insta-worthy to be authentically Montessori. The most important thing is to create a space where your child feels and empowered to learn, focus, and play at their own pace!
What is Montessori?
Maybe you’ve driven by a preschool with “Montessori” proudly displayed on the sign. Or maybe aesthetic pictures of low, open shelves with simple wooden toys have started to fill your Instagram feed. Or maybe your mom friends are throwing around terms like “sandpaper letters” and “maximum effort.” However you first come across the Montessori method, it can feel equal parts overwhelming and confusing and enticing and attractive. We’re here to help make sense of the basics of Montessori, so you can get your bearings and decide which parts of the Montessori method might be right for your family. Who was Maria Montessori? Maria Montessori was an Italian physician and educator who lived in the late 19th and early 20th century. After graduating medical school, she became intensely interested in education and pedagogy. She opened her first school for underprivileged children in the impoverished areas of Rome in 1907. The results were astounding – the children learned, progressed, and thrived. It wasn’t long before her method of education drew attention, and Montessori schools began opening across Western Europe and the U.S. within just a few years. The absorbent mind Montessori believed that children under 6 have an “absorbent mind,” learning and soaking in information effortlessly. During this stage, children develop language, are driven to explore, and learn from the environment around them. Her method takes advantage of this stage by presenting those “absorbent minds” with opportunities to direct their own learning. The prepared environment An absorbent mind + a prepared environment = child-led learning as kids explore the work available to them in their environment. Montessori classrooms are filled with “Montessori materials,” different manipulatives that lead children to solve puzzles, increase problem-solving skills, develop fine-motor skills, and learn academic subjects like math, reading, geography, and more. Some popular Montessori-inspired materials for babies and young toddlers include: object permanent boxes where children drop a coin into a slot and eventually learn to retrieve it by opening a drawer ball droppers where children drop small wooden balls into a toy and watch it slide down levels of ramps, teaching them cause and effect the wooden egg-in-a-cup or peg-in-a-cup puzzle for babies simple puzzles with one to three shapes sorting and stacking toys For older, school age and preschool age children materials might include: sandpaper letters for teaching the alphabet through sensory experience a “moveable alphabet” of wooden letters for early practice in spelling and forming words puzzles of the continents or countries manipulatives for teaching counting and other math concepts tracing boards or sand trays to trace letters You’ll also find plenty of “practical life” materials in a Montessori classroom such as child-size cleaning supplies, child-size water pitcher and cups, or low sinks to enable independent hand-washing. Maria Montessori believed that children have an innate appreciation for beauty that should be cultivated and that learning happens best in organized, clutter-free environments. Therefore, Montessori classrooms are usually organized and aesthetic. The toys and materials themselves are usually wooden, beautiful, high-quality and are presented to the children on low, open shelving. The strikingly simple-yet-beautiful aesthetic of Montessori classrooms and homes make for eye-catching social media posts and is likely at least part of the reason Montessori has had a resurgence in popularity recently. The prepared adult Montessori teachers, known as “guides,” are trained in specific methods that allow children to lead their own learning. They are taught to observe the children closely to understand their interests and abilities. They present lessons to the children individually or in small groups when the child shows an interest in a particular subject or material. Above all, they begin from a place of deep respect for the child and their innate ability to learn. Freedom of choice As we’ve already mentioned, children direct their own learning in a Montessori classroom and can choose which materials they want to work with. By letting children explore their own interests, the Montessori method aims to inspire a true love of learning instead of rote memorization for a test. But don’t think that “freedom of choice” means “license to go crazy” – Montessori classrooms and homes still have limits and expectations, and in general, they cultivate a calm environment that lets children focus and explore. Independence One of Maria Montessori’s most quoted lines is “Never help a child with a task at which he believes he can succeed.” Montessori was all about teaching young children to be as independent as possible, and from a surprisingly young age, children in a Montessori environment learn to get dressed, practice personal hygiene, prepare food, and care for the home and the classroom. One way Montessori environments foster this independence is by offering child-sized furniture and tools. In a typical Montessori classroom, you’ll see a wide array of pint-sized objects, including tiny tables, chairs, cleaning supplies, water pitchers, and more. Learning from peers Montessori classrooms have mixed ages, allowing younger kids to learn from the older kids and the older kids to learn as they teach the younger. Typically, classes are divided into 3-6 year olds, 6-9 year olds, and 9-12 year olds. What about Montessori for parents? Now that you’ve got an idea of what a Montessori school is like, you might be wondering, “Why are so many parents crazy about Montessori too?” Because the Montessori method is meant to help the whole child flourish (as opposed to simply teaching them academic subjects), many aspects of Montessori transfer to home life as well. In fact, Maria Montessori wrote pretty extensively about the ideal environment for a child at home, even down to the type of bed a baby sleeps in. (Spoiler: it’s a floor bed… to foster freedom of movement and independence, of course.) So when a parent says that they are a “Montessori” family, they could mean that they are homeschooling their children and using Montessori materials and methodologies. But they could also mean that they are parenting with Montessori philosophies in mind. They might set up their home with child-sized furniture, provide Montessori-inspired toys, and encourage independence in self-care and practical life activities. For a deeper dive into how parents can implement Montessori, we recommend the “Montessori at Home” Youtube series from Montessori parent and educator Ashley Yeh. Further Resources Feeling inspired to dive into all things Montessori? The amount of resources available online can be overwhelming, so we’ve compiled a few below that are all great places to start. All are written or created by long-time trained Montessori guides and parents. Youtube channels: Hapa Family, Ashley Yeh Books The Montessori Baby: A Parent’s Guide to Nurturing Your Baby with Love, Respect, and Understanding, Simone Davies and Junnifa Uzodike The Montessori Toddler: A Parent’s Guide to Raising a Curious and Responsible Human Being, Simone Davies How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way, Tim Seldin Blogs The Kavanaugh Report, Nicole Kavanaugh Guide & Grow, Sylvia Arotin Podcasts: The Montessori Notebook, Simone Davies Shelf Help, Nicole Kavanaugh and Amy Dorsch
10 Sleepover Ideas
As a kid, your first sleepover was a rite of passage. As a grownup, hosting your first sleepover feels like a rite of passage too – make it through this, and you’re officially a super parent! Whether it’s a birthday bash or just babysitting your nieces and nephews for the weekend, these 10 sleepover ideas will help you keep the kids busy and having fun! 1. Build-your-Own Dinners An easy way to make dinner time more fun is a “build-your-own” bar with plenty of toppings or fillings for the kids to choose from. Some kid-friendly classics are tacos and personal pizzas. Bonus points if you have cute child-sized tongs for kids to serve themselves. 2. Indoor S’mores Who says s’mores are only for camping? You can melt those marshmallows indoors in your fireplace, over a gas stove, or in the microwave. It’s a dessert that feels super fun and special for kids but involves very little prep for you. 3. Tents, TeePees, & Forts If you’re doing indoor s’mores, you might as well add to the camping theme with a little indoor camping. Whether it’s a real tent, a play teepee, or a homemade blanket fort, kids love playing inside – plus they double as an extra fun sleeping spot when it’s lights out. 4. Cookie Decorating If s’mores aren’t your thing, try some DIY cookies for dessert instead. Most supermarkets have some type of cookie decorating kit on hand all the time, so you’re not on the hook for baking or mixing icing. You and the kids can get straight to the fun part– decorating! Oh and, of course, eating. What’s not to love about a craft-and-dessert-in-one? 5. Book Club Sleepover Trying to raise a kid who loves reading? Get their friends in on the fun, and host a book club sleepover. Depending on the kids’ ages and reading levels, you can read a short story book when they get there or have everyone read the same chapter book leading up to the sleepover. You can make meals, games, decorations, and fun photo booth props all inspired by the book! 6. T-Shirt / Pillowcase Decorating Something about getting to color on a t-shirt is surprisingly fun for kids. Maybe it’s just the novelty of coloring on fabric instead of paper – whatever it is, it’s always a hit, and it’s a pretty hands-off craft for you. Plain t-shirts and fabric markers are usually relatively inexpensive at craft stores. If you think the kids would appreciate a little inspiration, you can provide some stencils as well and make a model t-shirt to give them ideas. 7. Makeovers/Dress-Up Costumes and makeovers are a sleepover classic! If your kiddos are old enough to handle a little makeup and nail polish, go for it. If not, they’ll still have a blast with dress-up clothes and silly hairstyles. 8. Flashlight Tag Odds are your kids rarely get to play with their friends after dark, so take advantage of it with some backyard flashlight tag. 9. Glow Stick Dance Party For another after-dark game, hand the kids glowsticks after the sun goes down and let them have a dance party in the backyard – or just in the living room! 10. Movie Theatre Night Watching a movie in PJs happens at pretty much every sleepover ever, right? Make it even more fun for the kids by setting up a home “movie theater.” You’ll be the ticket taker/ concession stand worker/ and usher. You can print out pretend tickets ahead of time, give them coins to purchase bags of popcorn and other snacks, and walk them to their seats. Bonus: Reasonable Bedtimes To make sure the night ends on a good note, try to get elementary-age kids to bed no later than two hours after their normal bedtime (and even that might be pushing it for preschoolers). They’ll still feel like they got to stay up late, and they’ll get the rest they need to keep having fun with friends in the morning.
Affordable Playroom Organization Ideas
It’s easy to get Instagram envy from those posts of beautiful, perfectly organized playrooms, but we’ll let you in on two secrets. 1) Those playrooms definitely get messy too. 2) You don’t have to spend a lot to get your kids’ playroom more organized. Try out some of these tips to clear that clutter on the cheap. From the free to the thrifty to the smart buys, here are seven affordable ways to upgrade your playroom organization! Toys that Double as Storage Whether it’s the cabinets in the play kitchen or the baby doll’s crib, make sure to utilize the storage already available in your kids’ toys. Now, we’re not saying the crib should house all your craft supplies, but it’s the perfect spot for baby and her accessories! Furniture that Does Double Duty If you’re investing in some kid-sized furniture for your playroom, make sure it’s working double duty as a storage solution too. Shopping for a table and chair set? Look for one with built-in storage. Want to create a cozy reading nook? Get a seat that can double as book storage. The inverse is also true –– if you’re buying a toy box, go for one that also functions as a bench or a reading nook. You’ll save money and leave more space for “the floor is lava.” Priorities, right? Over-the-Door Shoe Organizers If your playroom has a closet, make use of the back of the door with a hanging shoe organizer. You add almost any small toy, but we especially love it for dolls and their accessories. (Because we all know Barbie has a bad habit of losing her shoes, and her hair gets wild when she’s stuffed into a toy box.) Small Toy Bin Units Don’t get us wrong, we love toy boxes. But small, open toy bin units make a world of difference in keeping the playroom clean. You can separate and organize toys by category, and kids can see what they want without digging through a million other toys first. Removable bins make clean up easier too! With units starting at under $50, these little lifesavers fit into almost any budget. Toy Caddies We’re pretty sure it’s a law of nature that every kid has a favorite set of toys that get carried and scattered all around the house. We can’t tame that tendency (and wouldn’t want to anyway!), but toy caddies with handles can make the transporting a little less messy. Plus, when the kids are done playing, these caddies look tidy and cute anywhere in the playroom. Ribbons for Kids’ Artwork Some thick ribbons, thumbtacks, and clothespins are all you need for a cute and organized display or your little artist's latest masterpieces. Laundry Bags for Puzzle Pieces We don’t know who thought of it first, but using mesh laundry bags to store puzzle pieces is a game-changer. They’re more durable than clear plastic bags, and since they’re still see-through, the kids can find the puzzle they want without dumping the contents of every bag.
