Baby proofing with a 4 year old?

[TwoKidsStillStanding]

This is going to sound really stupid but I’m looking for tips on how to babyproof when you have older children. DC2 is a good few months off crawling but DC1 is four and has so many “bits” of toys. We’re going to have to work out how to allow DC1 to play while also keeping DC2 safe.

We have one living-dining room and could potentially have some kind of gate across the middle. Not much room for a play pen. Obviously will rejig DC1’s toys so DC2 can’t help himself but that isn’t going to be 100%.

Any tips?

I made my 4 year old put all the little choking hazard toys in her bedroom, there were plenty of things to keep downstairs they could both play with.

Sorry, only just checked for replies!

That is a good idea - the only problem is that mine won’t play in his bedroom and it’s also really small. So I’m not sure that would work for us.

Any other suggestions?

Might sound weird, but is there space for a paddling pool? (Empty obviously). Older child needs to keep all little bits in pool, then work on keeping little one in another area.

I’ve got 6 and 4 year olds with the tiniest of toys and a baby.
It’s not easy. Things like Lego/playmobil have to be played with when he’s napping or in their bedrooms.
We have a playroom, but if we try and keep the baby out of there he just bangs on the door to be let in! All the small bits are kept in the highest storage books (ikea kallax unit). The sad fact is though that they have to play with more baby safe stuff while he’s around.

Thanks - my conclusion is that we either have to keep the baby physically separate (travel cot/play pen/possibly baby gate in middle of room) and/or have the stuff where he can’t reach it. Good to know I’m not missing some really logical workaround! I’m really hoping baby doesn’t start crawling until older one is back in school (and who knows when that might be) but think he might be more advanced than DC1....