Kids today have more types of toys to choose from than ever. They spur creativity, teach motor skills, and provide hours of fun. The biggest challenge is usually finding a place for the kids to play with everything, and these four tips can make your living room the ideal location.
Compatible Flooring
If you’re planning to replace the floor covering in your living room, consider the ideal types for play. The best option for your living room play area is probably a low-pile carpet. Hardwood is too easy to scar up with rubber wheels, and deeper carpet is likely to lead to the disappearance of small parts. Low carpet is comfortable for kids to play and will make it easier to keep up with everything.
Suitable Furniture
Of course, not all play will take place on the floor. Superheroes need somewhere to fly from and climb to, so kids will gravitate toward your hearth, shelves, entertainment center, and live edge wood coffee table. Choose furnishings and features that expand the area available for play rather than restricting it. Your kids will be able to do even more!
Optimized Storage
Every kid’s least favorite part is cleanup time, so make it easy for them to quickly put things away when bedtime rolls around, or when company arrives unexpectedly. Purchase storage containers that easily slide under couches or stack neatly inside cabinets or on shelves. Keep everything simple, neat, and organized so that the kids will do a great job of cleaning up every time.
Handy Power
Many toys today utilize electricity. They operate directly off power, or they charge and recharge to save you money on batteries. Include ways for the room to allow for that. If furniture blocks outlets, plug in power strips or extension cords that kids can easily access. Make sure you have a good place to store chargers when not in use, too. Otherwise, play time will turn into a search and rescue mission.
Making the most of your kids’ toys means having a good environment for them to play. Toys don’t have to be a source of clutter, and they don’t have to isolate kids in their rooms. The living room is often a spacious area with enough room for you to spend time with the kids as they play. It also helps you maintain bedtime discipline by preventing late-night play sessions in their bedrooms. With these simple steps, it can be a perfect dual-purpose space.
