What to Have in Your Child's New Playroom

A play room can be as simple or elaborate as a budget and space allow, but there are some basics that can help transform even the smallest room into a great play room.

The following basics include a mix of activities, depending on the child's age, for children of preschool-age, through the primary school years:

SPACE - SIT-DOWN SPACE AND MOVE-AROUND SPACE

Two very important things every play room needs are as much floor space as possible, along with a table and chairs suited to the child's age. A sturdy rug on the floor makes a cozy room, but toy trucks and small riding toys don't move well along most carpet. Another disadvantage to carpet is that paint, clay, PlayDoh, and paper glue don't go well with carpeting.

STORAGE FOR TOYS

Bins make putting toys away easier. Colored laundry bags can be used for toy storage as well. Closets (which can have locked doors if necessary) can house shelves or stackable storage units).

A PLACE FOR "QUIET PLAY"

Some simple, low, shelves for books; or a few rectangular bins in a corner, offer a place for storing books. Puzzles, coloring books, crayons, activity books, paper make this "quiet corner" complete. Paint with water books, watercolor paints, brushes, and a container for water are good to have on hand. (Tip: Before giving children boxed puzzles reinforce the corners of the boxes with strong tape. Puzzles pieces are more likely to be returned to unbroken boxes.) Plastic containers from a dollar store are an inexpensive and stackable way to store small items, like crayons and paint brushes.

BUILDING BLOCKS ARE A MUST

A good set of wood blocks and an age-appropriate set of Duplo or Lego blocks are great for keeping children busy.

OTHER THINGS FOR PLAY

Young children enjoy having a play kitchen with dishes and play food. Dolls and a doll cradle are a must for girls. Barbie dolls, clothing, accessories, and a house are usually something older girls will play with for hours. Older boys, of course, like action figures and sets associated with them.

A doll house with people and furniture can be modified as a child grows. The same is true for train sets. Playing paper dolls is still a nice activity for girls. Sticker books are something kids usually like. Don't forget some age-appropriate toy cars and trucks (Tonka makes chunky little trucks for younger children. HotWheels, of course, are great for bigger boys.)

Having some classic board or card games offers something to do when there's more than one child. Chutes and Ladders, Candy Land, and Cooties are classic. So are Monopoly, Life, and Clue. Children's playing cards come packaged for one, specific, game. Having the classics (Old Maid, Go Fish, and Animal Rummy) is a good idea. A set of standard playing cards may come in handy. Playing cards aren't just for playing cards. Most kids will spend hours building with them. Checkers, Tiddledy Winks, and Bingo (especially Bingo) are worth keeping on hand.

JUST FOR TODDLERS

Toddlers, of course, have different requirements. Toddlers, like preschoolers, often enjoy an age-appropriate kitchen (or at least toy dishes). A large ball is a must for toddlers. (Older children and large balls tend to be better together outdoors.) Lots of floor space is particularly important for toddlers. Toddlers like some type of cart to pull or push. They like to put toys or dolls in carts and then move them from place to place. A stacking toy is a must. A shape-sorting toy is also a must.

A simple, toddler, riding toy or two helps a toddler develop large muscles. An age appropriate doll or stuffed animal is, of course, essential. Toddlers often like to look at cards with pictures on them. Children this age are often kept busiest with a play set aimed at toddlers (a parking garage with cars, the Fisher Price school bus, a farm with animals and people).

Toddler puzzles and books are, of course, nice to have as well.

Because toddlers get tired in the middle of play, having a soft mat, pillow, or comfy seat for plopping down on is a good idea.

MUSIC - ANOTHER MUST

Don't forget music. An age-appropriate keyboard usually attracts potential music-makers. A child's CD or tape player will allow a child to play his choice of children's music. A small FM radio or CD player high on a shelf allows for a pleasant atmosphere when set, at low volume, on classical music. (Drums and horns tend to be loved by children, but they don't keep them entertained as long as keyboards do. Guitars and violins are best used under supervision. Strings have a way of getting broken in a playroom setting.)

SAFETY

Cover all unused electrical outlets. Box-like covers that screw on are best where babies and toddlers are playing. Place something heavy in front of outlets that must remain exposed.
This keeps them out of view and reach of young children. Make sure shelves and furniture
are low. Children have been known to pull over high shelves and chests. (There's always the temptation to pull out a bottom drawer to use it as a step.) Keep window safety in mind. There are different ways to keep different types of windows from being a potential danger to children. Learn about any window-safety steps you should take, based on the type of windows that are in the room.

DECORATING

Hanging pictures or framed posters that can make a child smile warms up the room. Lots of sunshine and natural light create the best atmosphere.

MAKE IT MORE PERSONAL

Finally, the toys a child loves most can be given a special shelf or box. Colored boxes or tins from a dollar store, or child-decorated versions, make nice containers for things like baseball cards, special stickers, doll accessories, or rocks. Hand-held games and other breakables require a space on a shelf, separate from the tossing of sturdier toys.

Items with a child's name or initial make it that much more personal.