Our Play Space: Creating and Learning All-in-one

A peek inside a reader’s play space…
This space used to be littered with the latest toys. My 4 year old and 2 year old had a hard time keeping it picked up. We soon realized it was because they were overwhelmed by all the toys, so we simplified the space. They have a desk for writing, a bookcase filled with all their favorite books, and two small tables for them to create at (the art supplies are in an easy to access common area).

They really enjoy having their artwork displayed on the walls, their own personal art gallery. It’s a bright, inviting, little room for them to go to when they’re feeling inspired. It’s where we spend the majority of our time indoors.

With thanks to Aleacia of Dilly-Dali Art – personally, I love the wall of artwork!

Do you have a family or kids play space in your home that you love (indoors or outdoors)? Submit your play space here and you too could be featured on Childhood 101.

Be sure to visit the previous Our Play Space posts for more playful inspiration!

Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.

Read the comments or scroll down to add your own:

Nichole says

March 25, 2012 at 8:08 AM

We have some ugly brown built-in wardrobes in the kids rooms so they have had an ever evolving art display covering them since we moved in. Makes me smile every time I look at it. Today I making some DIY frame wallpaper from The Artful Parent to keep the kids busy :) http://www.artfulparent.com/2012/03/diy-frame-wallpaper-for-kids-art.html
Aleacia @ Dilly-Dali Art says

March 25, 2012 at 8:41 AM

The wall of artworks is my favorite too. In fact, almost all of our walls look exactly the same! :)
Keely says

March 25, 2012 at 9:14 AM

What do you recommend to use on the walls to hold up all the artwork?
- Aleacia @ Dilly-Dali Art says
  
  March 25, 2012 at 9:30 AM
  
  Keely, Most people cringe at this, but I use a staple gun to hang up all the artwork.
- Jamie says
  
  May 6, 2012 at 8:48 PM
  
  I use that peel-off tape you use to cover baseboards when you paint your walls and put it around the edges of the picture to make a frame - it peels off gorgeously and you can buy it in multiple colours to have a bunch of different frames. This stuff: http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/3/HouseHome/PaintStains/PaintersTape.jsp
Ashleigh says

March 25, 2012 at 9:36 AM

Staple gun??? You're brave :)) In my classroom I either use rolled tape or my magnetic wall (which I LOVE!!)
Les @ LPN Programs says

March 26, 2012 at 4:26 PM

Envy! Love what you did with the room! Very, very conducive for learning / working / playing. The light coming in is just right and everything looks so organized. And, of course, the artwork -- just great! Ours looks gloomy (despite the colorful walls) because sunlight never reaches the room. Have to find a way to make it more "lively" (for lack of a better term). Will follow suit, have to declutter toys too. Thanks thanks for this!

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