We are in the early stages of an exciting new project – we’re building an indoor children’s playspace! This is actually something we’ve wanted to do since we moved to El Nido, as there are no activities, libraries, playgrounds, etc. and we wanted something not only for our kids, but also local kids and tourists as well.
These are the main elements of the playspace:
- constructed with natural materials like bamboo
- one large open room with high ceilings
- floor to ceiling walls made of window screens to let in a breeze, look out into nature, and provide lots of natural light
- Montessori and Waldorf inspired
- open-ended toys
- big library
- lots of seating where kids can play alone or with others
- healthy snacks and drinks only
I recently found steph.soj’s Instagram account, and her gorgeous playroom had so many of the elements I had in mind!
The floor to ceiling windows let in so much natural light! We plan to use window screens to achieve a similar, but more budget-friendly result.
We will have a doll area with a crib.
No playspace is complete without a kitchen. My kids always loved the supermarket sections of playspaces so we want to have things like shopping baskets/carts, a cash register, and market shelves full of food.
There will be a section of the playspace where kids can be a little more active, and one of these balancing boards is definitely on my list of things to get. This can be used in so many different ways during imaginative play!
We have to have a train table as my kids spent countless hours playing with trains!
We will have an art section, as well as host regular events like storytime, sing-a-longs, arts and crafts workshops, etc.
I love this take on a dollhouse. I think we could have our carpenters build something similar!
We decided to sell homemade playdoh as it’s not something we really want to reuse, but it’s something every kid loves!
We already own this table from Ikea, and it’s perfect as a sensory table.
There will be various stations like this where kids can “work” on different things.
We will have plenty of educational toys, but probably none with small parts like this that are easy to lose!
Natural materials like cut branches will be a big component. We also need toy animals, most likely from Schleich!
One of the main elements of the playspace will definitely be an extensive library. There will be books displayed on ledges and rotated regularly, books in book bins so kids can peruse them, and books for older kids with just the spine facing out. This is the project I’m most excited about as I know so much about children’s books, having been collecting them from used book stores here for the past 3 1/2 years!
There will be a big blocks and building area, as well as a nature/loose parts area where kids can construct things with items found in nature like rocks, twigs, shells, etc.
via houzz
Plenty of comfy seating, and we already have a teepee!
. . . . .
I’m so excited! What elements would you like to see in an indoor playspace?
pomelo / 5621 posts
That is going to be such a fun play space! I love that doll house.
pear / 1565 posts
So fun! I was always looking for play spaces that cater to a wide range of ages, as they are always either for babies or preschoolers.
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
@graceandjoy: that’s true!
charlie is 9 and still plays with building toys for hours on end (legos, blocks, magnatiles, etc.) so that will be a very important aspect for sure! plus we have such a great library for kids 8-12 from our personal collection!
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
I love the inspiration playplaces. One thing I like about LO’s new daycare is all the natural wood furniture and calming interiors. An indoor play space is so important especially when the weather just isn’t great for going outside.
ETA: I’d want to have some sort of climbing apparatus or soft play equipment where the kids could be a little physical. Also puzzles!
blogger / apricot / 275 posts
your inspirations are so beautiful!