Somewhere to become totally absorbed in your own make-believe world, concentrate on an intricate craft project, or charge around in a game of cops and robbers... every child needs one. In Part II of our focus on creating children's spaces we share tips, ideas and inspiration on creating the ideal space to play and be creative - whether it's a whole room or a corner in the living area
Creative Space
Is your child a ‘guess where I've been by the puzzle pieces, play dough and doll clothes strewn all over the house'? A would-be demolition expert whose bedroom resembles a wreckage site where what goes in never comes out whole? Perhaps you have a little soul for whom everything, except television or Playstation, is boring? Revamp the space they play in and it just may help.Creating a space for play and creativity is great fun - and not just for your child. It enables us adults to indulge in a secret passion for all things bright, colourful and cuddly - a little like the glee you experience when you walk into the children's section of a department store. It doesn't matter if it's a patch on the floor in the dining room. What matters is that the child has a space they can call their own to play quietly... or noisily.
Where to start
By choosing a design with theme around your child's interest, say ballet, horses, or even hearts and flowers, you are filling the room with images that please and indulge his or her imagination. These images will also help you both to bond, providing cues for a variety of exchanges... life's little lessons, discussions, spelling practise, making up a story and extending the imagination.So, as stated in Part I, first begin with a brainstorm with the little people who will be using the space. Ask how they would describe the ideal play and creative area and look out for practical ideas you can use. Talk about interests and hobbies; tease out favourite colours and characters.
Then bring some grown up judgement to the results. Fads and crazes come and go - and some can be quite outlandish. A tip is to keep the background neutral and to incorporate their ideas in accessories and trimmings. Also, think about your child needs - security and stimulation for younger children, excitement and individuality for older children; and privacy and space for friends for ‘tweens'. Try to reflect that into the space.
How much space do you have to work with? Part of the bedroom, a whole room dedicated to play, or something that can be incorporated into the main living areas? Decide on a budget - however large or small. Think storage, accessories, furnishing and perhaps even a few new toys.
Once you have decided a theme (based on your child's interests, for example) you may find it useful to create what's called a ‘mood board'. This is simply a board on which you pin wallpaper, fabric and colour samples, pictures, photographs and anything else that will help to crystalise the mood or look you are after. Check out the ‘Tips on what to include' for ideas.
Take an inventory. Decide what's staying and what's going and throw them out. Get the children involved. Draw a plan of the space - how will it be organised? Where will things go? Finally, write a checklist - don't start until you have all you need.
Don't forget the kids!
This is a space where your child's imagination will roam free and their creativity be inspired, so what better way to get them going by having them put their artistic touch to the design? Creating artwork is a great way to get kids thinking laterally and to express their emotions.Buy white sheets and let your older children tie-dye them in the colours they want, or create their own designs with fabric paint. Cover a standard corkboard with fabric and use it to hang up artwork, photographs or pictures. Using cork tiles instead will enable you to make the board as large as you wish. Hang it close to a desk or table where it can inspire your child as he works.
Another option is to criss-cross the board with ribbon in a boxed/grid-like fashion so that pictures and reminders can be slipped underneath. Dedicate a wall to your child's artwork. Frame their artwork with strips of coloured paper or wooden frames. Be creative in the way you display them.
String together beads, dried pasta, popcorn; create a collage, mural, pottery - think of fun projects which can then be used to decorate bookshelves, window sills and walls.
Fun storage
Storage needs will be determined by the play resources your child has. Reserve space for bats and balls, puzzles, craft sets, dolls, dolls clothes and furniture, stuffed animals, model planes, cars and action men, books, large toys and special little treasures.A good way to encourage your child to keep their new play area tidy (and prevent a return to the rubbish heap bedroom problem) is to introduce fun storage systems into the design of the space - string a series of storage boxes together to make a toy box train, or paint wooden crates in bright colours and arrange on top of each other.
Other ideas could include a trunk that both serves as a seat and storage area, a net hammock, hanging toy tidy, hat boxes, themed storage boxes, drawstring bags, mini shopping bags, plant holders, mini plastic drawer set...
A tall bookshelf works well if you are creating space to play in the main living area as items can be kept on the lower shelves within easy reach of your child.
Arts & Crafts Space
Every play area needs a resilient washable surface for arts and crafts projects. This is also the ideal space for sewing, making scrapbooks, wrapping presents, constructing models, painting, sculpting, woodwork and school projects - who knows, you may even be inspired to create a little something yourself!Include a scrap box in which your child can collect odd bits of materials, such as fabric scraps, packaging and other potentially useful recyclable items. Include a tray for scrap paper and a hook for aprons. Label see-through plastic storage bins, drawers and shelves for paints, crayons, pencils and glue. You will find it handy to keep a sponge close by to clean up spills and old newspapers to protect floors or surfaces. If your child works on the floor too, stock up with comfy cushions to protect the elbows.
Outdoors
If you have a large garden with a solid enough tree why not construct a tree house? They provide great escape, a space for children to learn some of the responsibilities of adulthood - like keeping it clean. Start by researching these on the internet - there are several companies specialising in building tree houses or providing advice and support.If you don't have a tree you could substitute the idea with a wooden shed that your child can transform into a little cabin of his own. Make curtains from old sheets, cover walls with left over wallpaper, throw down a few floor tiles and cushions, and paint stars on the ceiling with glow in the dark paint. Inside your child can store art equipment, books, magazines, board games, and a picnic basket for summertime lunches.
Create a sandpit in a level section of your garden. You can buy a sandbox or construct your own using bricks and plastic sheeting. Remember to keep it covered when it's not in use. Spray paint a large vinyl bin in a bright colour to store and protect small toy items from the elements.
