Everything Currently in My Toddler’s Playroom
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Let me first start my saying it is an absolute privilege to even have a playroom.
We just moved into our new house about 2 months ago, and one of our favorite parts of the entire home (besides actually having a backyard), is the PLAYROOM. Our previous home did not have any additional living space other than the kitchen and living room, so we always played with Ava (who turns 2 shortly) in our living room. And honestly – it worked for us no problem!
So if you are without a playroom, please know that all of these items are still perfect to fit ANYWHERE in your home. Many of these items we had spread throughout our home before we moved.
We prioritize larger, more open play type of toys that Ava can use for many years rather than smaller toys that she’ll grow bored of in a few weeks. Of course, we still have some small items that she LOVES, but many of these are larger.
Let’s get to it.
Open Shelving
Before we had this shelf, we used our living room cabinetry which was great because they had doors to “conceal” the toys. But now that we have a dedicated play space, it’s nice to have open shelving where she can see all of the toys she has to play with.
Link for the Open Shelving
Bookshelf
This was another item we purchased only after moving to our new house because we loved the idea of being able to display books for her to choose. Prior to the playroom, we stored the books in her dresser drawer which worked totally fine, but she ended up only reading the same 5 books that were on the top. With everything displayed now she can choose what she wants. A bookshelf is a great long-term investment you will use for years.
Link for the Bookshelf
Playhouse
For Christmas with my side of the family, we drew names from a hat so that each family member only had to gift one person something, which means they could spend a little more and really get something thoughtful. Well, my husband drew our daughter’s name and bought her this playhouse and she LOVES it. She forces our pup to play in there with her. It is the sweetest. The twinkle lights are a major bonus.
Link for the Playhouse
Ball Pit
This item holds a special place in my heart. My mom (who passed away last year) bought Ava this ball pit for her very first Christmas. She loved it then and still loves jumping into it now every single day. It is a sweet reminder of my mother every time I step into the playroom and watch Ava giggle as she tosses the balls around.
Play Couch
This was our gift to Ava for her first birthday, and while we were hesitant to spend this much money on a play couch – it has been WELL worth the money. She loves making forts with the cushions and ramps to jump off of into the ball pit. It’s an Ava favorite for releasing some energy.
Link for the Play Couch
Play-Doh
This one is a given and something she plays with every single day. We have some downstairs in our family room and some in the playroom. Her recent requests have been for us to make “Olaf,” “ladybug,” and “mermaid.” Do our creations always turn out perfect? No. But she enjoys them anyways. Our families enjoy brining her new play-doh whenever they visit to replace the dried up containers.
Link for the Play-Doh
Art Easel
This is yet again another family gift. Are you sensing a theme? Most of these large items have been family gifts or holiday gifts from us. We really try to save toy gifting for actual events rather than just splurging on a random Tuesday. I will say, she doesn’t necessarily LOVE this one yet. She will draw on it when we help her, but I have a feeling she will like this more as she grows.
Link for the Art Easel
Tonies Box
We gifted this to Ava for Christmas this year (her second Christmas) and she is OBSESSED with it. We love how it fosters independence on her part because she doesn’t have to ask us to play a song anymore. She simply finds the character she wants to listen to and turns it on. It was relatively easy for her to learn and the characters have been fun little gifts for visitors to purchase for her. We actually bought the Lion King one for her Easter basket this year! Click here to see what’s in her Easter basket (she will be almost 2).
Link for the Tonies Box
Lovevery Play Kit
Originally we only planned on getting the play gym for Ava (which is an absolute must for newborns), but she loved the gym so much that we had to get the play kits! The current play kit she is using is the The Companion – and the animals are definitely her favorite from the kit. I cannot recommend the Lovevery play kits enough. The toys are ALWAYS spot on with her educational and motor skill level. These are pretty much the only “smaller” toys that we have for Ava and they are all that we need!
Link for the Companion Playkit
Slide
This was yet again another holiday purchase. We bought this for Ava for Christmas this year and she has used it every day since. Before moving to our new house we had this on our back porch, but now we have it inside the playroom as it was Winter here when we moved. I’m sure we will bring it back out to the porch this Summer!
Link for the Slide
Trampoline
Last but not least. The trampoline. This is probably one of the only toys we got for Ava on a whim. We had just moved into our new house and really wanted her to like the house (she kept saying “no new house” every time we would pull into our neighborhood), so we splurged on a random Tuesday to purchase this trampoline after she discovered her love for jumping at a friend’s house who had a trampoline. We love bringing this outside for her on a sunny day.
Link for the Trampoline
I hope this list helps to give you some good ideas of long-term, open play items to include wherever you play in your house – the family room, the basement, the backyard or even the playroom (if you have one)!
I’m curious, what is a MUST-HAVE for your toddler’s play space? Send me a DM on Instagram or leave a comment below!
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