Part of the rite of passage as a parent is taking your house from adults-only to a kid-friendly home. Before you start having nightmares about living room furniture that looks like it belongs in your kids’ preschool classroom, rest assured that there are plenty of kid-friendly living room ideas that feel welcoming to everyone. In hopes of helping you achieve that balance, we reached out to top design and organization experts and got some great tips and tricks. Feeling like the first step is just figuring out where to store all the toys? We’ve got you covered there, too.
Invest in an Open Floor Plan
This design trend allows family members to see each other without being in the “same” room. Suzi Dailey, Luxury Coastal Realtor at RealtyONEsays, “The previous trend was to have two steps down into your family room, but now people want one large level. They're looking for level, open floor plans, and many people want a larger island that opens up to the other room.”
Your living room is a high-traffic area. Consider buying a rug that’s easy to wash (think Ruggable or Lorena Canals) or an indoor/outdoor rug. They’ll be able to withstand all the running, playing, and, inevitably, all the spills, and you still get to choose from hundreds of colors and patterns.
HGTV highly encourages going bold when it comes to kid-friendly living room ideas. Whether it’s a coat of paint, living room furniture, or a color-coordinated bookshelf, color is a great way to make a room feel warm and welcoming.
Jaime Hord, owner of Horderly Professional Organizing says, “Don’t forget that empty wall space can turn into an amazing storage space for everything and anything from decor, family photos or additional containment. We love using The Container Store’s Elfa System to create custom-designed storage spaces for our clients.
Not only will a wood table be able to handle kids’ dents and dings, but it also will give your eating space a laid-back vibe instead of feeling like a super-fancy environment. We love this one from Wayfair; it’s the perfect size for a cozy kitchen nook.
This is also a must for Hord. She says, "If space is limited, think about getting furniture with built-in storage options. Whether it’s a storage bench, storage seat, or a sectional with a secret storage compartment—get creative when staging your space to make it beautifully functional for you and your family. These hidden storage options are not only handy, but they’re comfortable for the kids to hang out on too!"
Create a Space Just for the Kids
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A great way to create a kid-friendly living room is to give them their own space. This way, you can keep all their toys, books, stuffies, and art supplies in one space, and the kids know that the space is safe. We love the idea of an indoor fort or reading nook!
Create a Gallery Wall with Their Art
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According to Michelle Manske, owner and organizer at Henry & Higby, this is a great way to create a kid-friendly living room. She states, “Create a gallery wall in your living room for children’s artwork with vintage frames from flea markets or the ones sitting in your grandmother’s attic. The variation in frame types and sizes will create a natural focal point to display artwork. The mismatched open frames make rotating artwork pieces very easy and create an easy juxtaposition between youth and adult worlds.”
No one wants to see a new walker take a nosedive toward the corner of the coffee table. And, those plastic corner buffers aren’t what anyone would call chic. Here’s a compromise between safety and style: consider buying a round table or a pouf. There are dozens of styles and colors to choose from, and some are even big enough for board games! If you must have something square, consider an ottoman with soft fabric.
Use Decorative Storage Bins
Hord says, "In your living room, remember that containment is key to restoring order to your space. However, you definitely don’t need to sacrifice beauty for functionality. Use decorative storage bins to put on open shelving or inside cabinets to contain different types of categories like electronics, games, toys, or books."
Instead of waiting for the inevitable, give the kids their own space to write on the walls. Not only is it a great creative outlet, but if there’s a real artist in the house, it’s a way to constantly give your living room an update! We love this peel-and-stick chalkboard decal from FancyWallsStore on Etsy.
Plant expert Amber Guetebier, offers this advice, “Having plants in your living space is not only great for mental well-being, but they are also helpful in purifying the air. But it's important to make sure the plants are non-toxic to kids and pets since we all know both are curious. Many easy houseplants are kid-and-pet safe, including the Money Tree (Pachira aquatica) and theParlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans).
Pull out the paint, googly eyes, glitter, and push pins for your pumpkin decorating sessions this year
Spice up your usual pumpkin decorating ideas this Halloween by skipping the pumpkin carving design and the mess that comes with it. From glow-in-the-dark paint to glitter pumpkins, we’ve found a ton of festive ideas that are fun and full of Halloween spirit. Grab your art supplies for a spooky (but creative) good time, and when you’re done, be sure to get your Halloween games ready for the block party!
Halloween pumpkins don’t have to be creepy. They can also be bright and cheery with these pastel tie-dye creations from @kailochic. Ok, so they aren’t tie-dyed, but you can get a similar-looking effect by using an alcohol ink marker, plastic wrap, and rubbing alcohol.
Want to personalize your pumpkin without a lot of fuss? These pumpkins decorated with wire from @StephanieElledesigns are a unique design option, and you can even order custom calligraphy wire from Etsy.
There are so many ways you can go with this pumpkin decorating idea, but we love the deep orange glitter spotted over at Handmade Charlotte. Take this sparkly idea home and make it your own.
How cool is this Roy Lichtenstein-inspired no-carve pumpkin idea from Dream a Little Bigger? Not only do we love how easy it is to pull this off, but we also love how many different directions you can go.
Psst! For a pumpkin that steals the spotlight, all you need is glow-in-the-dark puffy paint for shiny creations like these from Color Made Happy. It's a simple way to add a whole lot of magic to your Halloween decorations.
Who says ghosts have to be scary? These boo-tiful little no-carve pumpkins from The Crafted Life are cheerful and a cinch to make. Plus, they're guaranteed to make you smile!
Got office supplies? Then you've got all the fixings for this creative, no-carve pumpkin decorating idea! This gold-studded beauty from A Subtle Revelry is decked out with gold brads—too easy!
How neat is this fingerprint art pumpkin decorating idea from Homemade Charlotte? With the help of your kiddos' thumbprints, you can decorate a pumpkin with little cacti, pineapples, and more.
Transform your pumpkins into friendly woodland animals like these adorable creations from Simple as That. With a little paint and some strategically placed felt and card stock, these will be Halloween-ready in no time.
Take inspiration from Cutefetti to turn your favorite emoji into an outrageously fun pumpkin. Whether you’re into heart eyes or a shocked face, you and your little ones can make this pumpkin decorating idea happen with a little creativity.
For this vibrant pumpkin, Annie Selke of Fresh American Style was inspired by the Día de Los Muertos celebration. You can use acrylic paint and tissue paper to make your own.
These charming copper herringbone pumpkins from Lovely Indeed are sophisticated enough for a shop window but easy enough for a family project. Win-win!
If you've got a unicorn fan in your house, this is the pumpkin pal for you. It's not as difficult as you might think, mostly because the step-by-step instructions from Lines Across make it simple to follow.
We don't know what we love more: how easy these little gourds are to re-create or how incredibly adorable they look sitting on a desk, doorstep, or table. These donut pumpkins from Studio DIY make great autumn baby shower or birthday party decor, too.
What do you get when you mix watercolors with pumpkins? Surprisingly beautiful results! If you don't mind a little clean-up, this pumpkin decorating idea from Paper & Stitch is a great way for kids to express their messy artist selves with stunning results.
The amazing mavens at Sugar and Cloth created these sequined pumpkins with just the right amount of glitz. The best part? The kids can help (as long as you don't mind a few sequins on the carpet).
These pretty little decoupage pumpkins from Gold Standard Workshop are such showstoppers, that you'll want to keep them out all year round. They could make great centerpieces or a beautiful surprise for your kiddo's classroom!
These sweet flower-decoupaged pumpkins from Alice and Lois are festive and floral—and you can even add fall leaves for an extra autumn-y flourish. No one else will have such pretty, unique (and shhh, simple to make!) fall decorations.
We’re pretty sure it’s impossible to feel prickly once you take a peek at these cactus pumpkins from Aww, Sam. They're perfect for those who are over the usual orange pumpkins, and they're a creative addition to your stoop, too.
Who couldn’t use more confetti in their life? We can’t get enough of these confetti pumpkins from Cloudy Day Gray. They’re fun, festive, and easy to pull off—not to mention, a great way to spice up plain ol’ white pumpkins.
Whether your kids are big-time Pokemon Go fans or you’re feeling some '90s nostalgia, you’re going to want to check out this Pikachu pumpkin from In the Playroom. The best part is that this friendly pumpkin doesn’t require any special artistic talents.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for… ice cream cone pumpkins, courtesy of Sugar and Charm. We love how this super sweet idea can be customized to represent your little one’s fave ice cream flavor!
These party animal pumpkins from Studio DIY are equal parts cute and creative. From a flamingo pumpkin to an elephant pal, they’ll turn your porch into a true zoo.
This mummy pumpkin from Changing My Destiny is probably the friendliest little monster you’ll ever see (Because, c’mon—who can resist those peek-a-boo googly eyes?).
This fun googly eye pumpkin from Find It, Make It, Love It gets bonus points for being a real eyeful. Snag the googly eyes at your local Dollar Store, then grab your glue gun and get going!
Need to get your pumpkin decorated ASAP? Then you need to check out this awesome paint drip pumpkin from A Girl Named PJ. Not only will it be a messy hit with your creative kid, but it's also a great last-minute idea!
These states are gearing up for Tax Free Weekend (because those school supplies aren’t going to pay for themselves)
If you’ve been putting off school supply shopping, are in the market for a big purchase, or you’re ready to stock up on clothes, it’s possible your procrastination is about to pay off (we’re right there with you!). Several states across the U.S. have tax free holidays, which means two full days (if not longer) of skipping the sales tax on your shopping trips. And, probably not-so-coincidentally, these Tax Free Weekends land right around the back-to-school rush.
It’s totally possible your state is one that’s participating. But, keep in mind that some businesses may have to collect local or city taxes, and some states don’t have sales tax to begin with (you lucky ducks!). You may also be able to find websites that offer Tax Free Weekend deals, and Amazon will honor individual states’ sales tax holidays, too. Check out the list and see if you have a big shopping weekend in your future.
I have a video of my two-year-old daughter sitting quietly in the middle of a tornado. Not a real tornado, of course. Just the whirling, noisy storm of her two older brothers literally running in circles around her. In that moment, she is sitting on the floor rocking a baby doll while her brothers bounce around the room like pinballs. While they’re shrieking and giggling, jumping from couch to floor and back again, she is singing a lullaby nobody can hear—as if she and her doll are in a quiet place somewhere far, far away.
I watch it now and say a silent thank you. Because—while it may have taken me three kids to get there—it was in that moment that I knew I had a child who is happy just playing by herself.
And that matters. Experts say solo play or “independent play” not only helps children build confidence in themselves; it also helps inspire creativity, build focus, nurture problem-solving skills, and inspire trust—both in themselves and in their relationship with their parents.
Then of course there’s the (very important) fact that alone time for the child gives parents a little time to themselves, too. “It does give parents a break,” said Bryana Kappadakunnel, a Los Angeles-based LMFT and founder of Conscious Mommy, which offers coaching and workshops for parents of young children. “If a child knows how to play independently and doesn’t require the parent to engage or entertain them, it makes things like preparing dinner much easier.”
So where do you start? How can you turn your wiggly, codependent toddler into a self-sufficient kid who’s happy to play alone? I asked some experts and am sharing my own experiences to give you some suggestions.
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Start by doing solo time with your child
Sure, we all want to have children who can let us go to the bathroom without knocking incessantly at the door because they need us right now (just saying). But that doesn’t mean we can send our unsuspecting two-year-olds to their rooms and expect the magic to happen.
Start by setting up a space that invites them in: Put some paper and crayons on the kitchen table while you’re cooking dinner; set up a playdough station; put a box of Magna-Tiles on the living room floor. Or, says Amy Carney, author of Parent On Purpose: Raising Thoughtful Children in a Complicated World, set up a “boredom box” with age-appropriate items that spark creative play in your child. For this, Carney recommends small items like art supplies, trinkets, toys from birthday party bags, figurines, slime, or putty.
Want to make your toddlers feel good about playing by themselves? Sit nearby and “narrate.” This means just acknowledging what your child is doing, i.e. “You are building a really high tower!” or “You’re really being caring to your baby doll.” Doing this builds children’s confidence about what they’re doing.
By the same token, avoid correcting your child or trying to make it a teaching moment—don’t quiz them about colors or ask them to count the blocks in their hands. After all, this is play; not school.
And, replace your instinct to correct with curiosity: for example, if your child is using stacking blocks for all-things-NOT stacking (hey, they make fun hats!), say something like, “Hmm you seem to have found a new way to play with that toy.”
Finally: Don’t ask questions, which Kappadakunnel said can be distracting to the child. Just watch and narrate. Imagine that you’re a nature photographer and just observe the child in her “natural habitat.” (They’re interesting creatures, those kiddos!)
Don’t overload the space
Apparently, your child doesn’t need a lot of toys. A 2017 study from the University of Toledo in Ohio suggested that an environment with fewer toys is better for toddlers and that too many toys actually decrease the “quality of play.” It becomes overwhelming for the child. For each play session, just a handful of toys is enough.
Start by putting out a few toys and telling your child that you’re going to watch them play and that they can show you how the toys work. Let your kid get busy, and just be there to watch (if they ask you to play, tell them it is their time to show you or to play on their own—but that you’re there to see all they can do!). Then, once they are used to playing without you as a playmate, you can try putting the toys down and walking to another room (or another part of the room where you can do something else independently of your child).
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The kind of toy matters
They say “the more a toy does, the less your child does.” So choose simple toys that inspire open-ended play. Some good examples are:
Magna-Tiles
Blocks
Pretend play items (a kitchen, tools, etc.)
Baby dolls or a dollhouse
Simple instruments
Sensory play (playdough, clay, slime, etc.)
And don’t tell your child how to use the toy. Let them explore it for themselves. There is no WRONG way to play with a toy (unless it puts the child is in danger, of course).
Note: Avoid toys with screens or sounds—and don’t use toys that are meant to “teach” (like toys that claim to teach ABCs or colors). Toys that teach have their place, experts say, but when it comes to solo play, open-ended toys are best because they inspire creativity and free thought, and allow the child to lead the way.
“If we can take the pressure off of play to be academic and instead see the learning in play associated with how a child learns to regulate their body, how a child learns to interact with others, how a child learns to occupy themselves—play then becomes this rich, wonderful work that is fascinating,” Kappadakunnel said.
If your child is resistant to solo play, ask, “Have I been available?”
Does your child fight you when you try to get them to “go play”? Kappadakunnel said maybe your child just needs more of you, first.
Ask yourself: Have you been available to your child lately? If the answer is no, then figure out how you can change that. It doesn’t have to be much: Even 10 to 15 minutes of scheduled “special time” a day does wonders for kids. Just set a timer and sit down on the floor with your child. It may seem like a blip to you, but those 10 minutes can really make a difference—for both of you.
Remember that screens don’t count as “alone time”
While an older child might prefer to spend every moment of her alone time on an iPad or video game console, kids need to make time for more productive time alone. That means, maybe, instead of turning on cartoons first thing in the morning, put down some novel toys and ask your child to make something of them. It may be a hard shift at first, but beginning the day with play is a good way to start!
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Now is as good a time as any
Whether you’ve got toddlers as clingy as koala bears or older kids who still consider you Playmate No. 1, it’s never too late to start encouraging a little solo time. For toddlers, having “Alone Time” bursts once or twice a week is a good place to start. You can also lead by example, scheduling time for yourself as often as you can and sharing your feelings about it with your kids.
And don’t forget about YOU. We all know you need some of that precious me-time, too. So make yourself a model: If they see how happy you are doing something for yourself, by yourself (arts & crafts, taking a walk, reading quietly), maybe they’ll start to crave those same sorts of experiences, too. Remember: You can lead the way.
Read books that celebrate being alone
Books are a good way to teach young children—especially when it means they get some quality time with you. Try reading these books to get your kiddos craving solo play:
If you have a box of random buttons, take it out because they’re your key to fun today. We’ve come up with a few engaging button crafts and ways to play with buttons perfect for toddlers and preschool kids. Each one will fine-tune their observation skills and help them think outside of the box. Bonus points for making gifts that the kids can give away, too.
Note: Make sure your child is old enough to know not to put buttons in their mouth.
Button Sorting
This isn’t a trick to getting your kids to play Cinderella. Button sorting is actually a great way to teach your colors how to match by colors, shapes, or numbers (how many holes does the button have). Don’t forget to get a box with separate compartments so that you can keep everything organized.
Button Stacking Game
Take a page out of A Minute to Win It game and see how high you can stack those buttons! Let the kids practice and get a feel for stacking first before introducing them to concepts like thinking strategically (e.g. biggest buttons at the bottom). This game is also a great way to practice fine motor skills, especially if you have a box of tiny buttons.
Button Bookmarks
A little hot glue, a little button, a paper clip, and Voila! A little bookmark. It’s a craft that’s easy as one-two-three, all you need is a little patience. They make great trinkets, so as your kids hold their bookmarks together, waiting for the hot glue to dry, ask them to whom they want to gift a bookmark. Note: your crafter will need assistance with the glue gun.
Button Art
The supplies you’ll need for this button craft include a canvas, paint, glue, buttons, and endless imagination. A brown button can be the round body of a horse while a tiny yellow button becomes a bright flower of an outdoors scene. Group a bunch of green buttons together and style a Seuss-esque tree. Think outside of the button!
Who’s Got the Button?
Reign in those observation skills in this classic game. All you need is one button and it’s great if you’re having a party of kids over that day. It’s a bit like Duck, Duck, Goose but without the chasing. Have the kids (except one) get in a circle with their hands behind their backs. Then give the outlying kid the one button and have him or her walk around the circle. He or she should discreetly leave the button in someone’s palm and loop it around a few times before getting in the middle and chanting, “Button, button, who’s got the button?” Everyone will then take turns to guess and whoever guesses correctly gets to be the next person to hide the button!
Spend an afternoon on a safari, in a restaurant, or in a time machine
The end-of-day sprint is sometimes the hardest for parents with young kids. They’re tired; you’re tired. All that stands between you and the sweet relief of bedtime is about an hour and a half, but you’re fighting the good fight and have resolved to keep them off the screens and making memories. What’s a parent to do? Enter: pretend play. You’ll win at parenting for the day, and they’ll use their creativity, develop social, emotional, and language skills, and learn to express themselves. The best part? None of these make-believe prompts require a lot of supplies or planning, so it’s easy to pull them out at a moment’s notice.
Play house, but change roles with your children. They’ll love telling you to pick up your room and get ready for bed.
Climb Mt. Everest! The stairs become your journey, and the summit is (surprise) a bedroom! Along the way, you might need oxygen. You might slide down the mountain. You might even need to be pulled up the stairs on a sheet.
Set the stage. Get promoted to Prima Ballerina and prepare for your first performance, which happens to have the King and Queen of the Universe in the audience.
Find a buried treasure. Watch out! Pirates are on your trail. Outsmart them by creating a plan to hide, transport, and escape with your bounty. Don’t forget to create a hide-out where you can plan your escape.
Be a pioneer who must set up a homestead before winter sets in. Build a barn for your animals, a cabin for your family, clear a “field” of “rocks” (pillows, if playing indoors), and overcome all sorts of rustic challenges.
Plan your space travel itinerary. Start with “We’re headed to the moon,” and work out all the details: what you need to wear (mixing bowl helmets are excellent, here), what you should pack, what you need to watch out for, and what to do when you get there.
Go on safari. Turn your backyard into a wild place with a rare breed of animal you’re on a mission to photograph. But watch out! The wild animal can’t see you, so you better be super sneaky.
Visit a restaurant. Serve up fun using pretend play food or Play-Doh. We love the free, printable menu from AmyJDelightful, or create your own. Cut pictures of food out of magazines to jazz up your homemade menu.
Get a visit from the postman. Snail mail is the best! With a play setup like this one from Buggy and Buddy, your littles can become letter carriers who address, stamp, and deliver packages and notes. Or use your mailbox and decorate a ride-on to look like the mail truck.
Be a superhero! The best part of this idea? Figuring out each superhero’s back story. What’s your superpower? How did you get it? Are you a good guy or a bad guy? Who is your enemy? What’s your name? Once you get the specifics nailed down, you can create scenarios where the villain is up to no good, and your little superhero saves the day!
Create a sidewalk community. Fill your driveway with an imaginary city, including a library, a school, a train station, a grocery, a farm, and shopping. Choose roles and watch your little village come to life.
Pretend your child is Cinderella. Give them a bottle of Windex and a paper towel—they’ll think it’s hilarious when their mean “stepmother” (you) barks orders… and you get the lower windows washed.
Act out a story. Start with a storyline like There once was a magical frog and a mean old witch who had captured the frog. Include as many characters as you have kids playing, and tell a story as they act it out.
Play adventurer. Set them up with magnifying glasses and a journal (nothing fancy here… just a few sheets of printer paper folded in half). Dedicate each page to a drawing or a rubbing of something interesting that catches your kids’ eyes.
Play hide and seek, but add a plot. Pretend the “it” person is a bird, and the “hiders” are different types of things birds might eat, or maybe make the “it” person a police officer and the “hiders” graffiti artists (even more fun if you have some silly string on hand).
Play charades. The mother of all pretend play games is probably the most simple idea on our list. No explanation needed for this one!
Build a story. Find an empty box and create a diorama from found objects in your yard or house. As you make the diorama, layer in story elements. Before long, you’ll have a scene with characters, plot, period, location, and motivation.
Have a spa session. Let your kids “pamper” you (bonus here: you get to sit or lie down with your eyes closed).
Run a customer service call center. Complete with dissatisfied customers and solutions to retain their business, this might be as fun for you as it is for the kids, especially if you get the play the dissatisfied customer.
Pretend the floor is lava. This pretend play idea is an oldie but a goodie. Use pillows, furniture, and clothing to navigate the house without falling in.
Play “company.” Don’t forget to have a boss, a company mission, and remember: factory work is the key to a kid’s heart. Make something!
Run a cleaning service. Have them offer different services, like vacuuming, dusting, sweeping, and emptying trash. Be sure to check quality control because the fun is doing a good job and being praised by your “employer.”
Act out nursery rhymes. You’ve never laughed as hard as you will when your kids pretend to be Jack and Jill.
Create a news broadcast with information from the day. Report on new restaurants that have opened up and what they served for lunch, emergencies, local interest pieces, and the weather.
Extra, extra! Read all about it. Write a newspaper together, and deliver it to a neighbor or another parent.
“Invent” a Time Machine. Pretend to travel through time and let your child pick where to go. Beds make great dinosaurs, and hoses make terrifying prehistoric snakes. Just don’t forget how to get back to 2023.
Get ready to see the world through rainbow glasses
Totally over beige hotel room walls? Us, too. From bright blues to vibrant pinks, we’ve scoured the U.S. to find the most eye-catching and unique rentals. These homes are not only Instagram-worthy, but they also provide an unforgettable experience for your next vacation. Whether you’re looking for a cozy cabin or a bohemian bungalow, there’s a colorful and cool Airbnb out there with your name on it.
Color has the power to change our whole mood. And while that’s a great reason to seek out our faves, it doesn’t hurt that our kiddos seem to be even more into bold hues. It’s much easier to wrangle the family and convince them to wrap up a day of vacation fun if you’re heading back to a bright and beautiful place to wind down. So all across the U.S., these bold bed and breakfasts are just waiting to welcome your crew. Check out some seriously cool Airbnbs below.
New Orleans, LA—The Syd
Airbnb
If Mardi Gras was a house, this would be it. It's just minutes from the famous French Quarter and has 6 poolside villas for large groups. 14 guests/6 bedrooms/9 beds/3.5 baths New Orleans, LA—The Syd—Book Here!
Nashville, TN—Boho Luxe Apartment
Airbnb
If you know Nashville, you know the ultra-hip Nations neighborhood. And if you aren't familiar, you'll definitely get immersed in it when you stay at this bohemian apartment. A 3 minute drive away from Sylvan Park and famous Hattie B's, this eclectic pad has it all. 3 guests/1 bed/1 air mattress/1 bath Nashville, TN—Boho Luxe Apartment—Book Here!
Round Rock, TX—Round Rocker
Airbnb
This splashy stay is perfect for families visiting Austin. It's located far enough away from the city in Round Rock to avoid too much hustle and bustle, but close enough to plan to experience all the area has to offer. There's also a seriously zen backyard retreat. 6 guests/2 bedrooms/7 beds (including 1 bunk bed)/2 baths Round Rock, TX—Round Rocker—Book Here!
Nashville, TN—The Dolly Apartment on Music Row
Airbnb
Sure seems like Nashville knows how to rock colors and music. This apartment is an ode to the country music queen herself and even comes complete with selfie wall. 6 guests/1 bedroom/4 beds/1 bath Nashville, TN—The Dolly Apartment on Music Row—Book Here!
Miami, FL—Casa Havana
Airbnb
Little Havana in Miami gives Nashville major competition when it comes to vibrant colors and incredible culture. Casa Havana is 10-15 minutes from South Beach, Brickell, Key Biscayne, Downtown, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and Miami International Airport. 6 guests/2 bedrooms/2 beds/1 bath Miami, FL—Casa Havana—Book Here!
St. Petersburg, FL—Hey Hey Vacay House
Airbnb
First of all, our editors struggled to pick just one picture to adequately convey how cool this St. Petersburg property is. There's a massive pool, complete with cabana, bedrooms with fabulous Florida-inspired wallpaper, fire pit, and more. 16+ guests/5 bedrooms/8 beds/3 baths St. Petersburg, FL—Hey Hey Vacay House—Book Here!
Glendale, CA—Artist Loft
Airbnb
Okay, we admit this isn't really kid/family-friendly, but when the host calls it an "artist loft", they mean it. If you don’t feel creative going in, you will by the end of your stay. Tons of light, incredible art, and amazing plants are everywhere you turn. 2 guests/1 bedroom/1 bed/1 bath Glendale, CA—Artist Loft—Book Here!
Joshua Tree, CA—Launch Pad
Airbnb
With an inside and out desert atmosphere and surroundings as colorful as the house itself, this retreat includes a great outdoor space that includes a hot tub and lounge space. Two minutes from downtown Joshua Tree, too. 4 guests/2 bedrooms/2 beds/2 baths Joshua Tree, CA—Launch Pad—Book Here!
Gary, IN—Sparkle House
Airbnb
This sparkly (yes, sparkly!) house comes with a studio and art supplies to use during your stay. Not only is the exterior beautiful; you'll definitely want to let your artistic side out on this vacation. 4 guests/2 bedrooms/3 beds/1 bath Gary, IN—Sparkle House—Book Here!
Santa Fe, NM—Canyon Road Retreat
Airbnb
Artists clearly love color, and this Santa Fe Airbnb has all the artistic vibes you could ask for. It's filled with natural light and minutes away from the famous Santa Fe Plaza, so if you're looking to get the full New Mexican experience, the Canyon Road Retreat (though we'd like to respectfully suggest renaming it "Canyon Road Abode", for the record) is for you. 4 guests/1 bedroom/2 beds/1.5 baths Santa Fe, NM—Canyon Road Retreat—Book Here!
Redwood Valley, CA—Recording Studio
Airbnb
Attention, music lovers! This rockin' Redwood Valley, CA property has an eclectic interior filled with vintage music gear, plus it's surrounded by vineyards and forests. Oh, and did we mention the pool and Alice in Wonderland-themed yard, complete with a checkerboard ground?4 guests/2 bedrooms/2 beds/1.5 baths Redwood Valley, CA—Recording Studio—Book Here!
Galveston, TX—Coastal Castle
Airbnb
This has something for everyone. It's a historic 1923 home with a heated spa and pool, huge backyard, beach-themed interior, and only a 10 minute walk to the beach. 12 guests/3 bedrooms/7 beds/3 baths Galveston, TX—Coastal Castle—Book Here!
Louisville, KY—Restored Church
Airbnb
This restored 175-year-old antebellum church is a real stunner. It's quirky and fun, and the hosts are able to accommodate kiddos, too. The ceilings alone alone are enough reason to want to check out this property. 6 guests/3 bedrooms/4 beds/2 baths Louisville, KY—Restored Church—Book Here!
New Orleans, LA—Garden District Flat
Airbnb
A Victorian-era home (are we the only ones getting major Interview with the Vampire feelings?) with elegant details and lots of bold color. Add a balcony overlooking Race St. and this is about as southern as it gets. 4 guests,2 bedrooms,2 beds,1 bath New Orleans, LA—Garden District Flat—Book Here!
Scottsdale, AZ—The Pink Cactus
Airbnb
Girls Weekend, look out! This pink-alicious Scottsdale property has everything you need for a ton of weekend fun, including a pool, Instagram-worthy murals, and so many places to unwind (and snap selfies). 12 guests/4 bedrooms/8 beds/3 baths Scottsdale, AZ—The Pink Cactus—Book Here!
San Francisco, CA—Top Floor with Bay View
Airbnb
Urban retreats you kind of getaway? This colorful bungalow is quintessential San Fran and isn't just close to all the action; it's also a great place to kick back and check out the view. 4 guests/2 bedrooms/2 beds/1 bath San Francisco, CA—Top Floor with Bay View—Book Here!
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These cool toy boxes will make you want to organize their stuff ASAP. Really.
Have you ever tripped over a forgotten toy car, stepped on a rogue building block, or found yourself crawling on all fours searching for a missing puzzle piece? And that’s really best-case scenario. Because if your house is anything like ours are, there’s a good chance you’ve dealt with more than one full-scale meltdown over the hunt for a missing Barbie shoe, Lego piece, or marker cap (sometimes the kids even get upset, too). The point is, toy storage is obviously a must. But plain, boring bins and boxes aren’t only not so great to look at, they also don’t really inspire your kiddos to want to clean up. It’s way more fun to put it all away in a cool toy box. That’s where we come in.
From realistic phone booths to intergalactic spaceships, these toy boxes transform storage into extra playtime. Picture a toy box shaped like a pirate’s treasure chest, complete with realistic details for hidden treasures. These cool toy boxes don’t just provide a practical solution for keeping toys organized. They also ignite little imaginations and make clean up time much easier. We’re pretty sure you’ll find at least one toy box that’s just waiting for your house.
How cool is this? Whether they're Dr. Strange fans (yes, we know it's not a real Tardis, but still), love vintage vibes, or just want like a lot of color, this retro phone booth is perfect. Comes in red, black, white, and blue. Retro Phone Booth ($249.99)—Buy Here!
Truck Toy Storage
Amazon
Aside from being really fun, the rounded corners of this truck toy organizer prevent accidents from sharp corners. Truck Toy Storage ($299.00)—Buy Here!
Collapsible Robot
Amazon
The stacking design of this rad robot gives them lots of space for their toys and adds a lot of fun to their bedroom or playroom. Collapsible Robot ($45.99)—Buy Here!
Keep all their art supplies in and on this toy box with easel lid. The clip holds their art paper for when they're feeling creative, and even deatches completely so they can take it anywhere. 2-in-1 Toy Box & Easel Lid ($79.99)—Buy Here!
If you'd rather combine space and aesthetics, this teddy storage ottoman is perfect for adding to your living room. It comes in white, black, and brown, too. Teddy Storage Ottoman ($279.99)—Buy Here!
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
Whether you’re stepping on a sea of toys or the kids’ closet is stuffed to the gills, it might be time to create a family storage plan. If that seems daunting, take a peek at some solutions that might just revolutionize your home. From garage storage ideas to kid cubby storage ideas, these are our favorite storage hacks that are both clever and easy to do. If you feel like tackling specific areas in your home, check out our pantry organization ideas and toy storage solutions!
Puzzles. They're great for building problem solving skills in kids, but when it comes to storage, they have parents scratching their heads. Luckily, Days With Grey has a simple solution you can easily re-create with your own puzzles.
Rise and shine! It's time to streamline that morning routine. We love this brilliant hack by Systems for Sensory Kids that makes the back-to-school morning routine as easy as 1-2-3! You'll need a container, cups, and labels (waterproof is best) to get your little learner ready for school.
Squeaky clean! As far as cool bathroom toy storage ideas go, this one's easy-peasy. Mama Shannon over at 8 Foot Six, upcycles a hanging fruit basket to organize tub toys (genius!), which leaves you more space for other things.
Waste no space! Help half-pints get ready quickly on school mornings with The Organized Mama's twist on storing kids' clothes: you can fold clothes for easy outfit picking and make more space when you use bins inside the drawers.
Help little cooks organize their play kitchen with this sweet toy storage idea. Hop over to Hello Baby Brown for her clever use of a tiered rack that keeps cookware and toy food off the floor and within easy reach of little hands.
We got this stuffed toy storage idea straight from the horse’s mouth. You’ll need to be a little handy to complete this project and can follow the step-by-step over at Shades of Blue Interiors. Your tots can have easy access to their favorite toys through the paracord and keep their rooms clean to boot.
Kiddos can’t get enough of dressing up, but finding ways to store all of the costumes and accessories in one place is almost impossible. Luckily, this DIY Dress-Up Storage Center from Old House to New Home is an awesome fix. This piece will require some legit construction, but the final product is totally worth it!
Try storing your favorite art supplies in mason jars. Remove the lids from these adorable glass containers, and add personalized labels to keep just about anything organized and easy to access.
If your kids love playing outside, you probably know the struggle of organizing all of their outdoor toys. These labeled metal buckets are as far as toy storage ideas go from Domestic Charm to keep all of their goodies together without bringing them into the house.
To keep everything at your family’s fingertips, get inspired by Hey Let’s Make Stuff’s incredible peg board. This is a cute way to make sure everything goes back where it belongs.
This hack from VanHook & Co. is here to save the day. This budget-friendly idea only requires a couple of $4 Ikea wastebaskets. All you have to do is secure the baskets to any wall or door, and you’ve just created a cool new storage system.
Your little ones have made your car their second home, and with that comes a whole lot of stuff. But that doesn’t have to mean the end of the organization in the mommy mobile. According to HAPPYnings, it’s all about shower caddies. That’s right, those funny things with the big pockets that you hang in your shower. It turns out, they’re a pretty fantastic organizational tool for everything from hair brushes to sunscreen and so much more.
If you’ve ever felt the pain of stepping on a stray LEGO, you know that proper toy storage is an absolute must. One of our favorite ways to store your little one’s toys is the Swoop Bag. This versatile bag lays flat and can be gathered up quickly to store the tiniest of toys. Of course, this is perfect for classic faves like LEGO, cars, train sets, and more.
Who doesn’t love play dough? But, storing all of those little canisters so your fam can play with any color, any time is just really complicated. Not anymore! Brilliant Mama Aimee Geroux has got you covered. Her idea to use a coffee carousel for play dough toy storage is a brilliant idea that is nothing short of pure genius.
We’ve all been there. Staring down a pile of laundry or an entire bin of toys on the ground and thought, do these chores really matter? If we’re being honest, when considering all the things we balance as parents, cleaning the house usually falls somewhere toward the bottom of the must-do list. And for good reason. After all, there are other (more important) things that usually take precedence: work, feeding a family, getting kids to school, and somewhere in there—finding time for self-care. But, eventually, you’re going to need to tackle that fridge or make a clean sweep of the place before guests arrive. The good news is, there are plenty of shortcuts and cleaning hacks you can use to tackle both the little and the big jobs, which leaves you more time for the things that really matter—like bedtime stories, family dinners, or a good Netflix binge-session.
Before you check out all these cleaning hacks, take an honest look at your bandwidth and decide what you can do and when. If you can do one or two small things a day, nothing every piles up, which makes your house look more tidy overall.
2. Use an oven-cleaning hack that doesn’t take hours
It’s everyone’s least favorite chore if it even ever gets done. Forget about using the self-cleaning option and go old-school with baking soda, a sponge, and real citrus.
Need to clean up in a jiff? Using creative storage solutions is an absolute must. Make sure you have a basket or bin in each room to throw everything in before housekeeping or a surprise visit from grandparents. When the basket is full, it’s time to put everything away. When you’re on the hunt for a special item and can’t find it, it’s time to dump out the basket, find your treasure, and put everything away. Plus, with so many styles and colors, it’s a total design hack, too!
3. Try a ceiling fan cleaning hack that really works
Instead of using paper towels or a Swiffer (dust will get everywhere), use an old pillowcase. The dust will be captured inside!
4. Embrace a solution for how to dry sheets the first time
Amazon
This little device is of those things that’ll make you say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” It helps prevent the dreaded rolled and wadded mess of half-dried sheets that lead to multiple cycles in the dryer and inevitably waste energy (and valuable time). Just clip the corners of your sheet into the Wad-Free before you wash and dry. Get a 2-pack on Amazon for $20.
If you love your air fryer as much as we love ours, it’s probably time to talk about how often you actually clean it out. While you should be cleaning the basket every time, there are a few deep-cleaning tricks you should try every few months too.
6. Use this genius cleaning hack to get glitter off tables, floors, and just about anywhere else
Gabby Cullen
The kids are dying to pull out the art supplies and go wild making you a masterpiece for the fridge. But, who can stand the glitter that inevitably ends up everywhere, forever? Pull out a lint roller and use it after they’re done being creative, you’ll be amazed at how much of the sparkly stuff you’ll be able to clean up.
Whether you’re trying to get your kids to do their chores or just want to make cleaning easier for yourself, Joyful Homemaking has an amazing idea. Create your very own chore baskets with plastic shower caddies—one basket for each room with a list of items that go in each basket.
8. Use toothpaste to clean in a pinch
iStock
Plain white toothpaste includes baking soda, which is a common household cleaning supply. You can use toothpaste to clean jewelry, polish bathroom fixtures, get rid of kitchen odors, and much more.
9. Figure out which tools you need to really clean that fridge
It’s a miracle cleaning solution that you probably already have! Use it to clean that oven, descale an electric kettle, put half in your dishwasher to cut grease, and so much more.
11. Clean plastic toys in the washing machine
Gabby Cullen
Whether covered in sticky residue from your own kid or if you’re giving a secondhand set a fresh start, plastic blocks clean right up when sent through the wash. Be sure to add items like towels or sheets to prevent banging during the cycle.