Made for Play
Explore child development through play, find inspiration for your next DIY project, and discover tips for selecting the perfect toys for your little ones.
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Mother's Day Crafts & Activities for Kids
Mother's Day Crafts & Activities for Kids: Fun & Easy Ideas to Celebrate Mom Mother’s Day is the perfect time for children to shower Mom with love—and what better way to do that than with some easy crafts and fun activities that create lasting memories? If you need inspiration, we’ve got creative ideas that will make Mom feel extra special. And don’t worry, no fancy supplies or stress required! Easy Mother’s Day Crafts for Kids Moms love to receive handmade gifts from their little ones! These simple Mother’s Day art projects are a fun way for kids to make something special that Mom will cherish forever. Handmade Mother’s Day Cards A store-bought card is nice, but one made with tiny hands is even better! Let kids go all out with markers, stickers, and whatever crafty supplies you have on hand. They can add a heartfelt message, a drawing of Mom, or even a fun pop-up surprise inside. “Reasons I Love You” Jar This simple but meaningful craft is a gift Mom will treasure. Have kids write (or dictate) reasons they love their mom on small slips of paper, then fold them up and place them in a decorated jar. From lighthearted (“You make the best pancakes!”) to sentimental (“Your hugs always make me feel better”), these little notes will make her smile every time she pulls one out. Thumbprint Family Tree Canvas This keepsake-worthy craft turns little fingerprints into a beautiful family tree. Start with a blank canvas and paint a simple tree trunk and branches. Then, have each family member add their thumbprint as a “leaf” using different paint colors. Add names next to each print for a personal touch. It’s a one-of-a-kind masterpiece Mom will love. Fun Mother’s Day Activities for Kids Beyond giving Mom gifts she’ll cherish, Mother’s Day is also about making her feel special by spending quality time together. These fun and simple activities let kids take the lead in planning a day Mom’s sure to love. Playhouse Garden Surprise What’s better than a bouquet of flowers from your local florist? A playhouse that can be used as a flower shop for Mom and the kids to enjoy together! If your little one’s playhouse has built-in garden boxes, turn it into a sweet and simple Mother’s Day activity by picking flowers from the yard or garden together and creating a special flower bundle. Then, plant the blooms side by side in the playhouse planters to brighten up the space—and set up a pretend flower shop while you’re at it. It’s a fun, hands-on way to bond and make lasting memories while getting a little messy. Mother’s Day Breakfast in Bed Let Mom start her special day with a little extra relaxation and a delicious homemade breakfast. Kids can take charge (with a little help, depending on their age) by preparing a simple tray of fruit, toast and juice or setting up a pretend feast with their play kitchen. Outdoor Picnic & Storytime Turn Mother’s Day into a mini outdoor adventure with a cozy picnic in the backyard or at a local park. Pack some favorite snacks, grab a comfy blanket, and bring along a few of Mom’s favorite children’s books. An outdoor picnic with some reading baked in is the perfect way to unwind, cuddle up, and enjoy some quality time together. Final Thoughts The best Mother’s Day gifts are the ones made with love and shared with joy. Whether it’s a heartfelt craft, a special meal, or a fun outdoor activity, these simple ideas help kids show Mom just how much she means to them. And if you’re looking for the perfect playhouse, pretend kitchen, or outdoor setup to make these moments even more magical, you’ll find KidKraft products are designed for creativity and fun!
Best Art Easel for Kids
Best Art Easel for Kids Wiping watercolors off your dining room table has gotten old, and you’re in the market for an art easel for your budding impressionist. Great choice! Art easels not only help you reclaim your space from arts-and-crafts sprawl, but they also encourage a love of creativity and expression in your little ones. This guide will help you decide exactly what you’re looking for and point you to the perfect easel for your space and your little artist. What are easels? An easel is a simple (but game-changing) tool for little Picassos. It’s a stand that holds paper or a chalkboard at just the right height, giving kids a dedicated space to draw, paint, and create. Most kids’ easels come with fun extras like a dry-erase board, a chalkboard, or even a roll of paper for endless masterpieces. What age are art easels for? Art easels are great for toddlers and beyond. Many are designed for kids as young as 2 or 3 years old, with adjustable heights so they can grow along with your child. Is an easel good for kids? Absolutely! An easel is fun for kids to use, but it also helps them develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and creativity. Standing while drawing or painting also encourages movement and better posture. Plus, having a designated art space keeps the mess (somewhat) contained, so you can enjoy their creativity without finding crayon doodles on the walls! What should you look for in a kid’s art easel? Size Two things to consider here: the space you have in your home and the size of your little one. If you don’t have room for a standalone easel or if you’re buying for a toddler, tabletop easels are a great choice. For standing easels, a height of 45- 51” is ergonomically correct for kiddos 3 and up. Tots 3 and under can use these easels as well, though they may need a stool to reach the top. If you have ample space, you may even consider a full art table instead of an easel. Construction This goes without saying, but sturdy is better when it comes to anything your kids will be using frequently. Flimsy, wobbly easels are a paint splatter waiting to happen. Storage Art easels with storage trays and bins keep supplies handy as your kid’s work and help minimize messes (for the most part – we are talking about kids and paint here after all). Larger trays also provide a place for those messy masterpieces to dry. Accessories If you’ve been browsing through paint easels for kids, you’ve probably rolled your eyes at a few features (blacklights, anyone?). But some accessories really do enhance your kids’ time at their art station. Mess-free paint cups, clips for hanging wet paintings to dry, and storage caddies keep art time organized and fun. Artistic Mediums Okay, so “artistic mediums” in this case is just a fancy term for “Can my kids do more than paint?” Paint easels for kids that also have built-in chalkboards, dry erase boards, and art paper rolls helps kids explore different ways to create. Because kids can easily switch back and forth between mediums, they’re less likely to get bored with their easel, and you can really see their creativity shine! Best Art Easels for Kids Now that you’ve got an idea of what you’re looking for in your little ones, here’s a lineup of our best easels for the kids in your life! Deluxe Wooden Easel $154.99 This sturdy wooden easel manages to look both fun and chic. A large lower tray is ideal for storing supplies and paintings, and smaller upper trays keep brushes, chalk, and markers handy. Create N Play Art Easel $109.99 The Create N Play Art Easel is a 360° double-sided easel with a chalkboard, whiteboard, and a built-in paper roll holder for endless creativity. Bungee cords keep paper in place, while paint cups, trays, and side organizers neatly store supplies. A lower drying shelf adds convenience, making this easel a perfect all-in-one creative station for kids! Storage Easel $124.99 A must-have for the little artists in your home, this easel features a double-sided design with a dry-erase surface on one side and a chalkboard on the other. It also comes with convenient and sealable spill-proof paint cups, easy-clean plastic trays, and removable storage bins to keep supplies organized. Art Table with Drying Rack and Storage $184.99 Alright, it’s technically not an easel, but if you have space, this art table is definitely something to consider. With ample storage and organizers, this table makes a great workstation for all your kiddo’s arts and crafts projects. An art easel is great for kids of all ages, providing a space for them to explore their creativity, develop important skills, and have fun while learning. Whether your child is a budding artist or just loves to doodle, the right easel can inspire hours of imaginative play! Shop all our wooden kids’ art easels here. *Prices are correct as of the publication of this article.
Our Top Wooden Train Set Picks For Kids
A quality wooden train set is such a classic toy that it’s hard to go wrong. But finding the perfect wooden train set for your kids may take a bit of internet sleuthing. You’ll want a set that’s aligned with your little ones’ interests and skill levels and fits into your space and budget. To spare you the work, we’ve compiled our favorite toy train picks for every age, budget, and home in this list! Best Budget Pick: Figure 8 Train Set At under $30, the Figure 8 Train Set is a budget-friendly pick that can grow with your child and your budget. Toddlers and preschoolers will have everything they need to start their love of trains and creative, constructive play. The simple design is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who are new to train and track building. When they’re ready for more, this set makes a great addition to any other KidKraft train set. Best Starter Set: Bucket Top Mountain Train Set At $50, the Bucket Top Mountain Train Set is another affordable intro to the world of trains and buildings. Preschoolers will find plenty to do with this mountainside train adventure. From perfecting fine motor skills necessary to assemble tracks to exploring imaginative play with helicopter rescues and cascading waterfalls. When they’re ready to add to the adventure, combine it with the KidKraft train expansion pack or any other KidKraft train set. Best Space Saver: Building Bricks Play N Store Table Love the idea of a train table for your train enthusiast but not sure if you have space? Our Play N Store Table is the perfect choice with 200+ building bricks that offer endless creative possibilities for your little builders. Even better? If you need to clear up room, but your little one’s creations aren’t exactly finished, the storage bins can keep them safe until its time to play again. Best for Imaginative Play: Ride Around Town Train Set & Table The Ride Around Town features four different scenes ranging from farm to town to busy airport. With so many different places to visit, it’s the perfect backdrop to inspire all of your little one’s make believe adventures. Best for Dino Lovers: Adventure Tracks Dino World If your little ones two great loves are trains and dinosaurs, trust us, you’re not alone. Kids like yours were the inspiration for our Adventure Tracks: Dino World train sets. Toddlers and preschoolers can start off with small tracks like the Stego Loop, a dino-themed figure 8. Older kids can jump right into the spiraling tracks of Volcano Escape. Or simply add a few Prehistoric Pals to your kiddos current train set. For the Dino obsessed, we have the perfect solution. The Adventure Tracks Dino World Rumble & Roar Complete Set includes it all. With 76 pieces, your little paleontologist will have endless pretend play possibilities. Best Train Table for Easy Assembly: Adventure Town Railway Train Set & Table with EZ Kraft Assembly Hate assembling furniture? We get it. While all of our train tables can be assembled quickly, the Adventure Town Railway Train Set & Table is complete with EZ Kraft Assembly, making it our easiest train table to assemble. You can go from unboxing to playtime in just five minutes – no tools required. Most importantly, the 120 piece train set will delight your little train lover as they build and conduct through their own mini city. Best for Experienced Train Track Builders: Airport Express Train Set & Table If you have a long time train lover in the family, they’ll love the challenge and detail of the Airport Express Train Set. This set 91-piece set features elevated and spiraling tracks and all the excitement of a real airport –landing strips, airplanes, a control tower, and a helipad just to name a few. Want to see more before you commit? Check out our full selection of toy train sets and train tables – we know you’ll find something you and your kids will love for years to come!
5 Tips to Keep Your Kids Organized and Focused
If 2020 has your kids feeling a little scattered and distracted, you are so not alone. This school year may be unpredictable, but there are still things we can do to help our kids tackle virtual learning feeling focused and organized. Well, as focused and organized as elementary schoolers can be. Here are our top five tips to help your kids learn, focus, and thrive...even in the 2020 chaos. Create a kid-friendly workspace You’ve heard that you shouldn’t work in bed or on the couch, right? The same holds true for kids. When we try to work in the same place we usually relax, our brains tell us “Hey, let’s watch TV or take a nap instead!” Creating a space that’s dedicated solely to work creates the opposite effect. When your kids sit down for class and homework, their brains will get down to business. Ideally, this workspace will be ergonomically designed for kids and used just for work and creative projects. If space and budget allow, a kid-sized desk and chair in a quiet part of the house is usually your best solution. When that’s not possible, a few hacks can make your dining room table a school-friendly workspace. Try to transition from “eating space” to “workspace” each day by completely clearing off dishes and laying out school supplies (and vice versa when it’s time to eat). A few extra touches, such as adding a desk lamp or rolling in a mini storage locker, will make the switch feel more fun for your kids and help their brains distinguish between school time and mealtime. Whatever you do, the main goal is to make the space comfortable for your kids, organized, and free of distractions like non-school technology. Make a place for everything When it comes to kids’ desk organization ideas, start with this classic: “A place for everything, and everything in its place”… Sure, it’s a cliché, but it’s a mantra of pre-K classrooms for a reason. Kids work and focus better in an orderly environment. Plus, if they don’t need you to find their erasers or iPad, you just may get to finish a hot cup of coffee one of these days! And no, you don’t need to give the entire house the Marie Kondo treatment to see benefits – you have enough on your plate as it is! Just keeping the kids’ workspace tidy will save you all some headaches in the long run. Take inventory of the supplies your kids use frequently and help make sure every item has a designated home. Since you have a lot more school supplies than usual in the house, it might be worthwhile to invest in organizing tools like pencil holders, paper trays, kid-sized bookshelves, and storage lockers. Get the kids involved As any parent knows, no organizational system lasts for long if the kids aren’t on board. To get them more excited about keeping their workspace tidy (and about virtual learning in general), let them have some fun as you set up the space. Letting them pick out their own desk, decorate the area with their own crafts, and or simply decide how they want to organize their school supplies can give them a sense of ownership of their workspace. When it’s time to tidy up at the end of each school day, make it as fun as possible with songs, challenges, anything your little one will be into. Stick with it and eventually, keeping their “school” area clean and organized will just become a habit. Set predictable daily rhythms In the unpredictability of this school year, routine and predictability at home are your friends! Think flexible but consistent routine rather than strict, to-the-minute schedules. Hang up a dry erase board or a visual schedule in your kids’ workspace to help them know what to expect. Checking off the list or referring to the pictures each day is a simple way to give them a much-needed sense of stability. Have recess at home Think of recess as a magic reset button for your child’s focus. Research shows that kids tend to have better focus when they get a break to just play. So as you’re making that schedule, work in a recess or two! Ideally, this time will be for kid-directed play in the great outdoors (aka the backyard or local playground). The most important thing is that your child spends this time moving, playing, and burning that extra energy. And for those dreary rainy days? We’ve got you covered with these rainy day activities for the whole family! You’ve got this, parents!
How to Clean Wooden Toys
Thanks to their natural antimicrobial properties, wooden toys are easy to keep clean without the use of harsh chemicals. Here’s our no-fuss guide to cleaning all your kiddo’s wooden toys! How often should you clean wooden toys? The short answer? Really not that often! The slightly longer answer? It depends on a few factors. Because wood is naturally antimicrobial, harmful bacteria and viruses don’t accumulate on them in the same way they can on plastic toys. In general, you’ll only need to clean your wooden toys when your child has been sick or when you notice some build-up of dirt or other unknown messy substances (because #toddlerlife). If your baby or toddler likes to mouth wooden toys (and of course they do!), you might want to clean them more often. Favorite teethers may need to be cleaned daily. If your wooden toys are being used in a daycare or childcare facility, follow your facility’s guidelines for toy sanitation. (Just avoid soaking them as this can damage the wood!) What should you use to clean wooden toys? Simple, all-natural cleaning products will do the trick! Gentle soaps (like castile soap) or vinegar work well. Dilute with water for a 1:4 ratio. For really stuck-on gunk, we recommend making a paste of baking soda and water and scrubbing with a damp cloth. How should you clean wooden toys? There’s really only one rule: don’t soak them. Simple enough, right? A spray bottle of your vinegar or soap solution (see above) and a cloth are usually all you need. This will get your toys clean without causing them to absorb too much water. Let them air dry, and you’re done! Of course, spraying down entire sets of wooden blocks isn’t something any parent has time for. In this case, feel free to fill your sink with a 1:4 solution of soap or vinegar and water and throw the blocks in. Just remember: this is a dip, not a soak! Swirl them around, then drain, rinse, and dry immediately. You can scrub any that need extra TLC. As long as you don’t leave them submerged, they’ll come out unscathed. How should you clean outdoor wooden toys? Outdoor wooden toys like playhouses are bound to get dirtier than indoor toys, but the same guidelines still apply. A garden hose, a vinegar or castile soap cleaning solution, and a good scrub brush will help you get the job done quickly. Durability and minimal maintenance? Just another thing to love about wooden toys!
From Yard to Living Room: Transforming Outdoor Playhouses into Indoor Adventures
Transforming an outdoor playhouse into an indoor playhouse takes creativity and keen space management but will be well worth the result! The dynamics of an indoor playhouse makes an intriguing space for kids and surprisingly be set up to seamlessly blend with your home’s aesthetics.Get tips for how to turn an outdoor playhouse into an indoor sanctuary your kids will absolutely love. Embracing Versatility Taking an outdoor playhouse from your yard to the living room isn’t just about moving a wooden playhouse from one space to another - it’s about reimagining its potential. Embrace versatility and consider how an indoor playhouse with a slide could work in your playroom or other area, or how a playhouse with a picnic table can provide your child with various creative play opportunities right inside your home. The Indoor Playground An indoor playground serves as a haven for kids, with elements to climb, slide, and explore in the safety of your home. The specific components will vary from simple to complex structures, depending on the indoor-outdoor playhouse model you get.At KidKraft, you’ll find a variety of types to choose from, including simple indoor playhouses for toddlers and expansive indoor-outdoor playhouse designs that beautifully blend with home decor while offering a realm of adventure. Benefits of an Indoor Playground for Kids Children’s indoor playhouses foster creativity and active play, providing many benefits such as: Safety - An indoor playhouse for kids ensures children play in a controlled, hazard-free environment. They eliminate the risks outdoor environments might pose. Year-Round Play - Regardless of weather, an indoor wooden playhouse for kids offers endless fun that’s accessible all year long. Developmental Advantages - Engaging with various elements, like an indoor playhouse with a slide, boosts both physical and cognitive growth in toddlers and older kids. These indoor playgrounds stimulate imagination and foster learning through play. They’re also a fantastic way to encourage physical activity indoors! Choosing the Right Playhouse Selecting the perfect indoor wooden playhouse involves several factors. You'll want to consider the size, ensuring it fits comfortably in your living space. Also, the material of the playhouse plays a crucial role in its longevity and safety. You’ll also want to think about what your child enjoys. For example, an indoor playhouse with a slide might spark their imagination more than a traditional setup.Always prioritize safety features and durability to create a secure play environment. This thoughtful approach will ensure your indoor playhouse becomes a cherished space for creativity and fun. Creative Design Ideas for Playhouses Transforming an indoor wooden playhouse into a world of wonder requires creativity. Perhaps a playhouse with a built-in kitchen can inspire your kids to hold an imaginary mini-market. A model with an attached picnic table can encourage indoor picnics and celebrations throughout the year. Or your kids may love a two-story model (also in navy) with a deck and opportunities to climb and slide!If you’re concerned about an indoor playhouse not fitting in with your home’s design aesthetic, our white playhouse may be perfect for you! The blank slate lets you paint over it with any color you desire to match your home. Of course, you can also keep the color as is and attach different decorations and accessories throughout the year to fit various themes and holidays.No matter which playhouse design you get, your indoor playhouse will be more than just a play area but also a haven for growth and imagination. Practical Considerations When Transforming Outdoor Playhouses into Indoor Ones Space requirements demand thoughtful planning for indoor playhouses. Adjustments might be necessary to ensure it's suitable for indoor use, prioritizing your child's safety. Just like when the playhouse is assembled outside, we recommend a 6' safety zone around all sides. More information can be found in the assembly instructions or at our Help Center.Additionally, maintenance will keep the playhouse in top condition. KidKraft Playhouses While our outdoor playhouses are designed to withstand the outdoor elements and rough play, they are also beautiful enough to live inside your home and meet your indoor play needs.Step into a World of Imagination! Shop Now for Playhouses.
Sustainable Toys for Sustainable Living: Let's Play the Eco-Friendly Way!
We all want to make choices that are not only fun for our little ones but gentle on the planet. But how do you avoid a house full of cheap plastic toys destined for a landfill when these products practically dominate the toy aisles? To help you make more earth-friendly choices for your household, we’re diving into all things sustainable toys: what they are, why they’re good for your kids, and how to spot them when you’re shopping! Understanding Sustainable Toys So what exactly makes a toy sustainable? There are a few things to look for: First and foremost, will the toy last? High-quality, durable toys can last for many stages of your child’s life and be re-used by younger siblings, reducing the number of toys you buy. (More on this below!)Secondly, what is the toy made of? Sustainable toys are crafted from responsibly sourced materials, often utilizing renewable resources and recycled or recyclable materials. Educational and Developmental Aspects of Sustainable Toys It's never too early to start teaching our children about the importance of taking care of our planet. Sustainable toys provide a fantastic platform to introduce environmental concepts and nurture a love for nature. As they play, we can engage them in conversations about conservation and the importance of protecting our environment. Sustainable outdoor toys or toys that emphasize a love of nature like the Lil’ Green World Collection make these conversations even easier!Sustainable toys are often developmentally-friendly toys as well. Why? Toys that are meant to last and grow with your child are usually geared toward child-led play, the kind that supports kids’ creativity and cognitive development. This is a far cry from gimmicky toys that simply entertain rather than engage children in meaningful play. Longevity and Durability We've all seen those flimsy, break-apart toys that barely survive a single play session. Sustainable toys are meant to be just the opposite! Sustainable toys are made from top-notch materials, and designed to endure even the most rambunctious play sessions. Also, consider how long your child will remain interested in the toy. If it’s made from eco-friendly materials but will only be played with a few times before it gets thrown away, it’s still wasteful. Open-ended toys that can grow with kids are the way to go – they don’t need to be replaced as often and are less likely to end up in a landfill.And that means we save money in the long run and give the planet a high-five at the same time! Best Practices for Choosing Sustainable Toys: So how do you find said magical, eco-friendly, long-lasting toys? Keep these principles in mind as you shop and research brands, and you’ll end up with high-quality toys that are easy on the planet: Go for toys made from renewable or recycled materials: Look out for toys crafted from natural rubber, cotton, and responsibly sourced wood, like bamboo or FSC-certified wood. They’re extremely durable and help protect our planet’s beautiful forests. Win-win, right? Check for non-toxic and eco-friendly materials: Safety first! Opt for toys that use low-VOC, non-toxic paints and finishes, because, let’s be honest, our little explorers will definitely lick them at some point. You’ll be looking out for the health of the planet too as VOCs can be a major contributor of greenhouse gasses. Choose quality over quantity: Want to minimize clutter, spark your child’s imagination, and stay eco-friendly by consuming less? Open-ended toys made from high-quality materials are the answer… because buying less is always the most eco-friendly choice. Toys like building blocks, art supplies, and pretend play props are the superheroes of imaginative play. They offer endless possibilities for play because they’re powered by our kids’ imaginations – not by gimmicky effects– so your kids can turn just a few toys into endless fun. And when you choose open-ended toys made from durable materials, you won’t need constant toy replacements. That’s a win for eco-friendly entertainment! Support brands committed to sustainability: Support the brands that are doing their part for the planet. Look out for companies that are committed to quality and are transparent about their materials. Eco-Friendly Toy Disposal We can’t talk about sustainable toys without talking about what happens when our little ones outgrow them. Let's explore a few methods that give our kids’ beloved toys a second chance at life! Toy Swaps: Try organizing a toy swap event with other parents in your community! It's like a fun playdate with a sustainable twist. Everyone brings toys their children no longer play with and swaps them for something “new” and exciting. It's a win-win: your child gets a new toy to enjoy, and you reduce waste by giving toys a fresh home. Donating: When your child has outgrown a toy, consider donating it to a local charity, shelter, or thrift store. Many organizations gladly accept gently used toys and distribute them to families in need. Not only does this reduce waste, but it also brings joy to other children who may not have access to new toys. Recycling: When it's time to bid farewell to a toy, check if it can be recycled. Some plastics, cardboard, and other recyclable materials can be sorted and sent off to recycling centers. Remember to check your local recycling guidelines – it’s a simple step that makes a big difference! Passing Down: Toys that are truly special (and especially durable) can be saved and passed down as heirlooms to younger family members. (One caveat here: Saving special toys now for future generations is awesome, but be extremely careful about giving heirlooms and antique toys to your children. Many don’t meet modern safety standards and may have high levels of lead, cadmium, phthalates, flame retardants, and other hazardous substances). The Takeaways We can make choices that prioritize our planet while creating magical memories for our little ones. When we prioritize high-quality, long-lasting toys that can grow with our child, we’ll consume less and leave a smaller carbon footprint in the process. At KidKraft, we create toys that are durable enough to last through the toughest toddler treatment and open-ended enough to grow with them through the school years. From our safe, non-toxic paints and finishes to our sturdy wood constructions, KidKraft toys minimize the plastic, maximize the fun, and will stick around for years to come! Shop our collection of high-quality and long-lasting toys today!
How to Create a Themed Bedroom for Your Toddler
Looking to makeover your baby’s nursery into a toddler’s paradise? First step: have a little cry because your baby is that big now! Done? Perfect. Second step: choose an aesthetic or better yet… go all out with a themed bedroom! Toddler room themes are a fun way to add some personality to their space and center the decor around something they love! Here are some simple toddler bedroom ideas to help you pull the whole look together! Choose a theme First things first, what does your little one love? And what can you live with as a bedroom decor idea? Think about what your little one is into. Do they love princesses and fairy tales? Dinosaurs? Race cars? Fire trucks? Once you've got a theme, you can start building your design around it Use color…but don’t feel the need to go overboard Of course, you want the colors you choose fit with your theme, but if the thought of a room swimming in hot pink or bright green makes you shudder, don’t worry. You can still keep an appealing aesthetic while incorporating colors that match your theme. If you’re going for a princess room, pastel pinks, peaches, and whites provide a softer look than bright pinks. For dinosaur or nature-themed rooms, neutrals and olive greens set the tone without making you feel like you’re lost in a jungle. And for themes that naturally incorporate bright colors (like the bright red of fire trucks or race cars), use a more neutral base, and keep the loud colors as accents in art, accessories, or accent stripes on the wall. Your little one will still love it, and you won’t feel like you need sunglasses when you walk into their room. Make the bed center stage Bedding is a great way to tie everything together. Sheets, comforters, and pillows that match your theme can make your toddler ecstatic for their new room even if the rest of the room isn’t heavily themed. And if you can find it, your toddler is sure to think that a themed bed frame –like a princess bed, race car bed or fire truck bed– is the coolest. thing. ever. (Plus, this excitement is a great way to ease the transition to a big kid bed!) Add those special touches This is where you can really have fun and get your toddler involved in picking things out! For a princess bedroom, hang a chandelier or add a princess vanity. For jungle/dinosaur rooms, some potted plants can brighten the space while adding to the theme. For race cars and fire trucks, you might add some tread mark wall stickers and a traffic light lamp. When you need direction, Etsy always has great inspiration for themed decor that still fits your home’s overall aesthetic. Remember that on-theme toys make great toddler room decor! So keep that prized race car track, fire station, or princess dollhouse on display… it probably gets played with every day anyway, right? There you have it! These no-fuss steps will help you create a themed bedroom that’s chic enough for you and, most importantly, fun enough for your toddler!
