Children learn through play, so having a space where they can do what they do best is healthy for their overall development. Just as adults need a space in the home to call their own (e.g., a home office, home gym, or “man cave”), children also need a special place to call their own. A playroom serves this exact purpose. Here are six ways that you can create a comfortable and stimulating playroom or play area for your kids.

#1: Toys

Toys are the star of the show when it comes to your kids’ playroom— after all, toys are for play, and that’s the purpose of a playroom. First off, make sure that your child’s toys are appropriate for their age, so you’ll have a variety of different toys if you have children of different ages.

If your playroom area is large enough, consider sectioning it off into different play areas, such as blocks, dress-up/dramatic play, and learning areas. This setup works well for children ages two and up.

#2: Storage

With all of these toys and centers, you’re going to need a really good organizational system to keep the room from looking like it was hit by a tornado. Make sure to have shelves for toys, books, and other objects to keep things organized. Use containers, storage cubes, baskets, and anything else you can think of that will help keep your kids’ things as organized as possible. Take a look at our macrame toy basket which will grow with your child.  Starting with toys, then books, then plants.

It’s also important to teach your children how to clean up after themselves. Even kids as young as two can be taught to put things away when they’re done. “Label” the containers and storage cubes with pictures of what’s supposed to be stored in them. It may take a few reminders, but they’ll catch on.

#3: Furniture

Although many toys are “floor toys”, your kids may have some toys that require a table and chair— often referred to as “table toys”. These types of toys stimulate the mind, as well as develop fine motor skills. So look into purchasing a small table and chairs for your kids’ playroom.

You can also furnish their playroom with multifunctional furniture. For example, a play couch from the Cushion Foam Store doubles as both a toy and furniture.

#4: Flooring

The type of flooring you choose for your kids’ playroom depends on their ages. Generally, real hardwood floors aren’t kid-friendly— they scratch easily and they’re really not ideal for toddlers. Carpet is also easily soiled and hard to clean, plus it traps a lot of dirt, dust, and other debris and allergens, so it’s not the best choice either.

Ideally, the best type of flooring is vinyl flooring. It’s durable, water-proof, and it’s not as hard as a hardwood floor or even laminate flooring. You can also use rugs to create softer, cozier areas. However, if you want carpet, choose a low-pile carpet, as it doesn’t trap as much debris as a thicker carpet.

#5: Displays

Hanging paintings in your home isn’t reserved for just the living room, dining room, hallway, etc.— you can hang paintings in your kids’ playroom too! Better yet, hand their paintings on the wall. Kids love to see their artwork displayed. This is also a good opportunity to teach them that what they paint on paper can be hung on the walls, but no painting on the walls.

You can even create a chalkboard wall for your kids to draw on and display their artwork. Their Art can be displayed in a variety of ways, you just have to get creative.

#6: Cozy Areas

Finally, you’ll want to create a cozy area or two in their playroom. Start by creating a cozy nook for reading. Try placing our Round Play Mat in a corner to make a special place for play and reading.  All you need is something simple like bean bag chairs, and your kids’ favorite books. It’s also a good idea to display the books in an appealing way, as this will encourage children to look at the books— and read them if they can.

 Not everyone may have an entire room to dedicate to a child’s playroom, but you can definitely work with the space you have. Think of converting a room, such as a basement, garage, or attic into a playroom— with proper flooring, insulation, and ventilation, of course. You can also use an unused bedroom or even create a play area in your child’s bedroom. Simply carve out a special place for them to play, have fun, and just be a kid.