As a former nanny and the mother of a 2-year-old, I've been on a mind-boggling number of play dates and, as a result, visited the homes of many families. While these houses vary in size and decor, one thing they almost all have in common is a playroom—that space solely dedicated to mountains of toys.
As much as parents might think they're doing their kids a favor by carving out a whole room for all of their stuff, I'm going to come out and say it: I hate playrooms!
It's not just because I detest clutter, a characteristic that playrooms have ad nauseam. It's because I think playrooms are actually bad for kids—and, believe it or not, many experts would agree. Here’s what's wrong with playrooms, and some ideas on how to make over this space for the better.
1. Playrooms are where forgotten toys go to die
Let's just start with the obvious fact that playrooms are an utter mess—I've rarely seen one that's neat and tidy, except for maybe in the Land of Nod catalog. Children run through them like sugar-fueled tornadoes, while parents quietly close the door and do their best to forget what lies on the other side.
But here's why that's bad: When you keep all those toys in one place, it's just too much for any one kid to play with, or even process.
“Today’s children live in a highly stimulating world that can be overwhelming,” says Sharon Saline, a licensed clinical psychologist.
As a result, many toys in playrooms get forgotten. Little Bobby’s beloved Tonka truck from his last birthday? It’s under that pile of superhero costumes in the back corner (by the way, the costumes no longer come close to fitting him). You know, between the bottomless bin of Lego bricks and the basket of orphaned baby dolls.
Plus, when we let our children throw their toys in a basket or on the floor, we teach them that it’s OK to disrespect their belongings. It’s also confusing to let children treat one space like a dumpsite, and expect them to treat the rest of the home with care.
2. Playrooms are isolating
While the goal of a playroom is to contain the chaos and spare the rest of the house, keep in mind that this means your kids will spend the majority of their time there, too. This could mean you don't spend as much time together.
In other words, there goes the whole family bonding thing. And that's just sad, right?
3. Playrooms are a missed opportunity
Playrooms are often the default for extra rooms, but it doesn't have to be that way. Here are some alternatives that will be much more meaningful for your kids and your family.
- Art studio: Rather than filling the room with random toys, hang your child's artwork on the walls. You can also set up an easel and stock the space with washable paints, crayons, and crafts supplies.
- Child-friendly gym: Encouraging your children to be physically active and healthy is a gift that will last them a lifetime. Consider transforming your space into a miniature gym with soft tumble mats, exercise balls, and, depending on your childrens age, even appropriate weights and resistance bands and sliders. Music is always a great idea too, so keep an upbeat playlist ready to go and consider investing in a quality sound system.
- Meditation room: Every homeespecially one with childrencan benefit from a Zen, quiet space. And believe it or not, children of all ages are in need of down time. Why not invest in some comfortable floor pillows, a tranquility fountain, and yoga mats? A space like this can be especially handy for children who have dropped their nap but still need a little alone time to decompress during the busy day.
- Family library: Its no secret that books can start to pile up over the years, from those classic novels you never had a chance to read to the books your children receive as gifts and hand-me-downs. Instead of hiding them in the basement or in boxes, fill your extra room with decorative bookshelves that really honor your books and put them on display. Important: Dont forget to keep all books within your childrens reachmeaning on the lower shelves. Fill the space with comfortable floor pillows and chairs where your children can take some time to really enjoy reading.
How to declutter a playroom for good
If you’re feeling overwhelmed at the idea of decluttering your playroom for good because your family has already acquired an excess of toys, don’t fret. Whitney Gallagher, a mother and sixth-grade humanities teacher in Los Angeles, suggests making your children a part of the decluttering process.
“Pick out a few toys with your kids, and keep them at eye level where they can access them when they’re ready to play. Store the rest of the toys in a bin away from your child’s view in a closet or basement,” she says. “Chances are, they will forget about the toys that have been packed away, and you can reintegrate them at a later date. If your child does end up missing a toy that has been packed away, it can easily be retrieved.”
