Creating a playroom for Isabella is something I've looked forward to for a long time. To create a space that will see Isabella grow, learn, discover and play is so special and something that I will enjoy adapting as she gets older. As I've mentioned in a previous blog post, we decided to make our dining room into a playroom as we have enough space for a table in our kitchen. Over the past couple of months I've really enjoyed browsing the internet for ideas and inspiration.
It's very much working progress at the moment but I thought I'd share what I have created so far...
We picked up this wooden cash machine and ice cream stand from ASDA, both were reduced to only £5 in our local store for some unknown reason! I absolutely love wooden toys and can't wait to increase our collection as Isabella grows older. The wooden stacking rings were from an NCT nearly new sale for £2 and the wooden animals were from The Eden Project.
We
had this giant beanbag at our wedding last summer and it's so
comfortable! I thought it would make ideal adult seating in the
playroom, as most things in there are pretty small. It's the Giant Bazaar Bag Indoor and Outdoor Giant Bean Bag* from Beanbag Bazaar and can be used outside as well, a great multipurpose item.
Isabella absolutely LOVES these maracas, I play the adult size one and she holds the small one. She likes it because it's light enough for her to hold and shake, as well as put near her mouth! Board books are perfect for younger babies, as they can chew them, turn the pages, feel them and not really ruin them. This touchy-feely book was a gift and the nature book I picked up in the JoJo Maman Bebe sale for £3. The multi sensory elephant is from Mamas and Papas a while ago and the glass dish full of glow in the dark stars is from IKEA.
The Chicco Cuddle & Bubble* fits perfectly in the corner of the playroom and makes changing Isabella's nappy and doing baby massage really easy. It's such a convenient invention and can easily be folded down to a compact size. After finishing our first baby massage class I didn't want to not do it anymore, as it's such a lovely bonding time. So I now massage Isabella on the Chicco Cuddle & Bubble. It's the perfect height and the compartments on the side are ideal for storing the massage oil in. The floral curtains were from the bargain corner in IKEA and a complete bargain at only £4!
We picked up this cute little wooden trike and trailer from an NCT nearly new sale for £15 - it looks brand new and was originally from the Early Learning Centre (similar here).
This
ballpit was very quick and easy to create, my uncle gave us the balls
(you can pick them up from supermarkets for about £5 a bag) and I bought
a small paddling pool from ASDA for £3. Isabella isn't the biggest fan
of it yet but I think she'll really enjoy it when she can sit up and no
doubt throw the balls around the room!
It wouldn't be a playroom without a shelf of books, I absolutely love collecting children's books. The illustrations are often so beautiful and there's just something so special about reading a book to your child.
My husbands sister has kindly let us borrow this Bumbo now that Isabella is wanting to look around at the world around he. She enjoys sitting up in the Bumbo, gone have the days of long cuddles together. She is too interested in watching us cooking or doing silly dances for her! She can't spend too long in there though, as she isn't quite strong enough to hold her head up for long periods of time.
That's all I have done so far, but I have big plans and am waiting for some more packages to arrive - eek! I'm sure I'll give you an update once it's a bit more finished.
What's your child's favourite toy?
Feel free to leave me a comment :)
Helen x
Aw looks lovely! We love wooden toys as well! #kidscorner x
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous, can I come and play? What a lovely space you're creating, I have no idea what people did before the internet for inspiration X #HomeEtc (blogging at Boo & Maddie)
ReplyDeleteI love the ice cream set!! Also, we had a tent that we filled with balls. It was quite a hit! Now, 6 years later I am still picking them up from behind the couch/under the beds. But they do love it! I have a link up and a giveaway on my blog if you'd like to share a post! www.heymommablog.com
ReplyDeleteHer room looks lovely! I love wooden toys too! #KidsCorner
ReplyDeleteWe just finished sprucing up our playroom for our 1 year old this weekend, so I know all too well your process. Those toys are lovely, and that ball pit is quite darling! I'm definitely incorporating that to my daughter's space! Thank you for sharing this with us, Helen!
ReplyDeleteIt all looks lovely. I love wooden toys too, there's something nostalgic about them. You've got some right bargains there too, great shopping! Sabrina xx #HomeEtc
ReplyDeleteAh how lovely to have a dedicated playroom! I love the balls in the little paddling pool idea - if only I had the space to have something like that out all the time.
ReplyDeleteAww, what a lovely room so far! I love the wooden toys - I miss those from baby days! #HomeEtc
ReplyDeleteWe bought SO many beautiful wooden toys for the boys when they were born but they make a beeline for all the gaudy plastic tat!! OR our keys and remote controls! They're two now and getting a little too old for some of the things we've bought, sadly. The NCT sale is SUCH a great idea! I might go and donate a load of stuff :) Thanks so much for linking up with #HomeEtc — hope to see you again next week! x
ReplyDeleteCaro | www.thetwinklediaries.co.uk
wow your doing an amazing job. I'd love to play in there :P
ReplyDeletelooks as though its coming along really nicely I love wooden toys for the kids they just look so nice on the shelves don't they! My older two are more in the barbie and dolls stage a box of barbies with matted hair from being played with far to roughly does not look to pretty! Thanks for sharing on #kidscorner
ReplyDeleteAhh great ideas for a fun playroom. We need to make a playroom for the kids soon they are great when they reach toddler age. Thank you ever so much for linking up to Share With Me #sharewithme
ReplyDeleteThis is such a lovely space! I really need so make our playroom look nicer! Thanks for sharing in #KidsCorner x
ReplyDelete