Looking for great ways to get your kids away from the screen and instead up and using their imagination? These DIY pretend play stations for play based learning will help to do just that! On top of it all, you’ll probably score major brownie points with your kids for making these for them!
Summer is just around the corner! Just a few weeks of school left here and then it’s quality time with the kid. I see lots of pool time, yard saleing and hammock time coming our way. 🙂
That being said though, we all know that keeping them occupied all summer long can sometimes pose a challenge. It doesn’t take too long before we all start hearing the “I’m bored!” cries.
Here are a few pretend play stations you can make your kids – these will keep them entertained for hours and hours! They’ll love you for making them. Your sanity will also thank you for making them. 😉
What’s even better is that these play stations will foster learning and development through playtime! I know, right?! When I made these for my Circus, that wasn’t even necessarily the goal, but it happened anyway. 🙂
DIY Imaginative Play Centers For Kids
Kids Stage with Dress Up Area
Not only has this stage served as, of course, a stage, but it has also masqueraded around as a restaurant, doctor’s office, zoo and more. This DIY kids stage is a super simple build. The stage even has an area in the back that can be used for dress-up clothes.
DIY Kids Activity Table
This play table is another project that can pull double duty. Here, it’s a barnyard, but it could easily be turned into a racetrack, building zone, Lego table and more. It’s also on wheels, so you can easily move it around. Attach some hooks and baskets to the sides for easy access storage and organization!
Lemonade Stand
There isn’t a hard thing at all about making this DIY lemonade stand! You’ll just need a couple of crates and a few pieces of wood. If you can drill a hole and make a straight cut, you’re good to go! This is perfect for those little entrepreneurs in your life. The Circus loves setting up her lemonade stand at yard sales and she doesn’t make chump change doing it either! She made $70 in one day doing it! When they aren’t creating their fortunes though, it also makes a great grocery play station.
Space Saving Wall Mounted Desk
No doubt, this is one of the best things I’ve ever made my kid. This flip-down wall desk is great for small spaces. You can even hide away and organize all the art supplies inside!
Dress-Up Closet from a Bookshelf
Keep the dress-up clothes out and within easy reach with this dress-up closet! I made this from a bookshelf – an easy hack! If you’ve got the space, you can even work a mirror into it. If the clothes would cover the mirror on the back of the closet, then mount the mirror on the side.
Crate Wagons
Forgive the holiday-esque vibe going on with this image. When I made and photographed these wagons, it was right around Christmas. The fun thing about these wagons made out of crates is that the kids can really get in on the building process here – the handles are made from PVC pipe, so they can figure out how to put it all together!
Have you created any DIY play centers for your child?
Tell us about them in the comments!
More great ideas for kids and their spaces:
Kids Bedroom Feature Wall – this is a great and unique way to incorporate their own little personalities into their rooms!
Playroom Wall to Wall Shelves – colorful, easy to build shelves that are UH-MAZING for toy storage!
Super Easy to Make DIY Headband Holder – this headband holder is perfect for keeping all those adorable headbands organized and within reach!
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This is amazing, Jenna! I love all the ideas and wish I had them when I was a kid. All of the play stations look so creative and innovative, besides making your home more cheerful and colorful. Did you make all of them yourself?
Thanks, Katarina! Yep, I made all these myself!