A house without a play room! Is a play room necessary?

By Alex Trichilo (Speech Pathologist and Mum of Three)

Our house doesn’t have a play room. And our baby’s nursery doubles as a study when he’s not sleeping in there. I’m sure this is the case for many of you.

So how do we achieve a beautiful living space for us adults whilst still having child friendly space for play?

Grace & Maggie Playmats to the rescue!

Our living room is the centre of our home and it has grown and adapted as our family has grown. We had three kids in just 26 months, so our family grew quickly and our living room changed rapidly.

We’ve had two different lounge suites, a new wall-unit built so all the wires are hidden, three different rugs and a period of time with no floor coverings (it’s a tiled space).

At one point, an entire half was dedicated to kids’ toys, but we’ve managed to relegate those to the kids’ bedrooms.

We had a shaggy rug for a long while, but toilet training our eldest quickly ruined that! Before that we had a jute style rug which was hardy but just not comfortable to sit on and hard to clean. After a lot of research, I discovered Grace & Maggie’s beautiful playmats.

The initial appeal was the beautiful designs, but then seeing that they were so easy to clean pretty much sold me. Then I discovered the Boho Baby Driver not only looks beautiful, but also has a car track design on the back! Sold!

We probably couldn’t live without our play mat anymore. My one year old lays down on the mat with his cheek against it because he loves the squishiness. My 2 and 3 year old girls know that they can practice their roly polys and hand stands without hurting themselves. My husband stretches, foam rolls and works out on it once a day, sometimes twice a day. And as a family we do dancing and yoga comfortably as a family of 5.

We also regularly have picnic lunches and dinners on the mat, do lots of sensory play, explore patterns in the design, drive our toy cars on it and sometimes my kids even fall asleep for their day naps on there.

At the end of the day, I just give it a wipe with a baby wipe and it’s clean and ready for the next day. No cereal getting caught in the folds of a shaggy rug, no smelly liquids being absorbed into it and it looks pretty if we have people over.

If you don’t have a play room, and you think about how much you use your living room, these playmats are a lifesaver. How do you use your Grace & Maggie?

Whether a playroom is necessary or not depends on individual circumstances and preferences. If you don't have the space, then you don't have the space. It is not necessary to move house if you don't have a playroom. 

If you have young children, a dedicated playroom can be a great way to create a safe and fun environment for them to play in. It can also help to keep the rest of your home tidy and organized by giving toys and other playthings a designated space. (Well, we all try don't we).

If you have limited space or if your children are older and no longer need a designated play area, a playroom may not be necessary. In that case, you can still create a designated play space in another area of your home, such as a corner of the living room or a bedroom.

Ultimately, it's up to you to decide whether a playroom is necessary for your family's needs and lifestyle.

Should a playroom be separate from a bedroom? 

Having a separate playroom from a bedroom can have its advantages, as it can help to create a clear distinction between playtime and bedtime. It can also provide children with a dedicated space for play and creativity, which can be important for their development and well-being.

However, whether a playroom should be separate from a bedroom or not depends on individual circumstances and preferences. If you have limited space or if your children are young and need to be close to you during the night, it may not be practical or necessary to have a separate playroom. In such cases, a designated play area in their bedroom or another room in the house may work just as well.

Ultimately, the decision on whether to have a separate playroom from a bedroom or not should be based on your family's needs and preferences, as well as the space available in your home.

Alternate playroom ideas

If you don't have the space or resources for a dedicated playroom, there are still many ways to create a fun and engaging play area for your children. Here are some alternative playroom ideas:

1. Designated play corner: Create a designated play area in a corner of your living room or your child's bedroom. Use storage bins or shelves to keep toys organized and easily accessible.

2. Outdoor play area: Create an outdoor play area in your backyard or on a balcony if you have one. You can set up a sandbox, playhouse, or swings and slides, depending on your child's interests and age.

3. Creative space: Set up a creative space in a corner of your home where your child can draw, paint, or do crafts. Use a child-sized table and chairs, and provide art supplies and materials to encourage their creativity.

4. Play tent: Create a cozy play tent using a large blanket or sheet draped over chairs or a table. Fill it with pillows and soft toys, and let your child use their imagination to play inside.

5. Dress-up area: Set up a dress-up area in your child's bedroom or a corner of your home where they can play dress-up and use their imagination. Provide a rack or hooks for costumes and accessories, and encourage your child to use their creativity to come up with different outfits and characters.

These are just a few ideas for creating a play area for your child that doesn't require a dedicated playroom. With a little creativity and some simple supplies, you can create a fun and engaging play space that your child will love.

By Alex Trichilo

Speech Pathologist and Mum of three

www.alextrichilo.com