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Original poster

Playroom...worth it?

20 replies

Kaekae · 24/03/2011 19:13

We've had a two storey extension built and on the ground floor one of the rooms was set out to become a playroom for my two children 3.6 and 15 months old. Anyway, this is going to be one of the last rooms to be decorated, it has an en-suite shower room and we need to sort this out. It won't be finished for another 6 months and I am now wondering whether it is worth keeping as a playroom? At what age do children outgrow them? They already each have their own room, do they need a playroom now?

OP posts:
RuthChan · 24/03/2011 21:02

I don't know how long a playroom is useful, but I can assure you that they are good thing.
A month ago I moved my two dcs into one bedroom and turned their other room into a playroom. It has been a revelation to have a single room with all the books and toys, which I don't mind at all how messy it gets.
My DCs are 4 and 2. To be honest, they don't play in the playroom very much yet, they prefer to play wherever I am. But I know they will play in there more and more in the future.

beanandspud · 24/03/2011 21:03

We don't have a 'playroom' but do have what we call a 'family room' instead. All of DS's toys are through there but also a TV and comfy sofas so that at weekends we all spend a lot of time in there. It's lovely to be able to close the door on any mess at the end of the day and still have a child free grown-up 'living room'.

QueenBathsheba · 24/03/2011 21:07

We have had a playroom, now it's their study, they never outgrow the room just the use changes as they get older.

Actually I love the fact that I don't share the office with them and they have their own space.

Jojay · 24/03/2011 21:09

I LOVE our playroom - a conservatory in our case - and I wouldn't contemplate life without it!

Mine are 4 and 2.

fivegomadinthelambingshed · 24/03/2011 21:12

Oh yes it is worth it.

TheVisitor · 24/03/2011 21:13

We had one and I hated it when we moved and were without.

McDreamy · 24/03/2011 21:14

Most definitely worth it. I see it becoming a den/snug as they get older but wouldn't be without it.

Hullygully · 24/03/2011 21:14

Yep, we had one for years and it was fab, all the clay and painting and sticking. It was just annoying when the dc wanted to use it too.

colditz · 24/03/2011 21:16

One of my friends still used his playroom when he was 17. It meant he could have girls round (no bedrroms allowed!) AND privacy because we didn't have to sit with his parents.

Carrotsandcelery · 24/03/2011 21:20

I agree that it is useful and as they get older it changes into a den etc. I would make sure that it has a radio/tv/laptop/phone so that you can chill out in there too. My dcs will play wherever I am, even if I am not actually playing with them. If you don't want the toys all through the house then you may need to move some of your daytime world in there too.

kbaby · 24/03/2011 23:20

I have one and even though no actual playing goes on in there it means my house is never cluttered with toys as they are all stored in there. As they have got a bit older the wii has been put in there. I imagine as they get older the toys will become less and the room will become more as a den with computers and dvds etc Plus it means when they bring boyfriend/girlfriends home they have a room to chill out in(where I can keep my beady eye on them :) ) instead of their bedroom.

Pinkcushion · 25/03/2011 08:17

I think it's useful to have 2 reception rooms. A tidy room for adults (&family) to relax in without stumbling over toys etc but the playroom is rarely played in - it's more a toy storage area. As they get older they will need a room for their friends to sit in (this much I have been warned about) - because I really don't want to share my evenings with a bunch of teenagers and I do want them to feel able to invite their friends around and not be stuck in a bedroom - some privacy may well be needed for us!

TaffetaCat · 25/03/2011 09:52

Grin @ when they will outgrow it

I am waiting for mine to grow into ours. They are 7 and 4 and just want to be in the living space with me, the playroom is across the hall. Occasionally they will play with friends in there, but despite it containing all their toys, games, dressing up, a long desk with chairs, workspace, a TV, DVDs, beanbags, swirly chairs, they hardly ever go in there.

I am hoping once they are a bit older they will use it as a den, I'll put an old sofa in and funk it up a bit.

Its very useful for storage, but thats about it, really.

Hullygully · 25/03/2011 09:53

You have to go in there with them...don't you like painting and sticking??

Hullygully · 25/03/2011 09:57

We used to go for a walk in th emorning and collect summer/winter/autumn/spring things and then have lovely afternoons making pictures.

TaffetaCat · 25/03/2011 10:27

Nah. I hate craft.

Original poster
Kaekae · 25/03/2011 10:44

Thank you! After reading your posts I am keeping it. I doubt mine will play in it either, they also tend to follow me round the house. I really like the idea of being able to shut the door on the mass of toys rather than having it all in the lounge in the evenings. I love the den idea too for when they are older.

OP posts:
Hullygully · 25/03/2011 11:01

Hate craft! So much better than unspeakable imaginary games...

cheesesarnie · 25/03/2011 11:12

i love our playroom!i can shut the door and all the toys disapear!

MrsvWoolf · 25/03/2011 20:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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