KID HACKS: 30 Space Savers for Kids Play
Do you love scanning Pinterest for gorgeous ideas for your kids and home, like me? Then I know you've seen tons of beautiful toys, play furniture and learning tools that look amazing – if only you had the resources! These DIY Kid Hacks are life hacks specifically for kids' play ideas.
Maybe you don't have the room for a super cool train table but your kids love trains? Perhaps space is not an issue but you don't want to shell out the cash for a dazzling store bought or DIY light table, but you want your kids to experience light play. Or maybe you just LOVE DIY PROJECTS! Well either way, you will love these cool space-saving, money saving ideas for awesome DIY Kid Hacks! (Note: This post includes affiliate links.)
Kid Hacks for Trains, LEGO and Cars
My little guy loves anything that GOES . . . trains, cars, trucks, construction vehicles. Our kids play in our living room though, so we just don't want a big train table there. Whether you want something you can put away easily, need space savers or want to save some cash, check out these hacks to let your kids vroom vroom without a lotta room! See the tutorials by clicking each link.
Instead of These:
Train Table
Lego Table
Car Rug
Make One of These:
Ultimate PVC Play Table in a Bag from Lalymom (top left)
Non-Permanent LEGO Wall from Lalymom (top center)
Portable Lego Table from And Next Comes L (top right)
Lego Table from Kids Activities Blog (middle center)
Train Trundle from Small Friendly (middle right)
Felt Road Play Mat from Powerful Mothering (bottom left)
Car Set in a Backpack from I Can Teach My Child (bottom center)
Edited to add another cool one: Toddler Bed to Train Table from Munchkins and Moms (not pictured)
Light Play Hacks
If you have ever been to a children's museum or classroom with a light table, you know they can be mesmerizing and add a new element to any kind of play for kids. They are expensive to buy though, and again, if you don't want a permanent piece of furniture the bug tables are out of the question. Check out these awesome Light Play Hacks to dazzle your kids on a dime! Click each link for details.
Instead of These:
Store-bought Light Table
Ultra-slim Light Panel
Multi-colored Light Cube (also available here)
Make One of These:
Easy DIY White & Multi-colored Light Box from Lalymom (top center and right)
DIY Home Light Box CAUTION: Twins at Play! (middle left)
DIY Light Table with Interchangeable Surfaces And Next Comes L (middle center)
DIY Mini Stackable Light Boxes Play Trains! (middle right)
Individual Mini Light Box from Teach Preschool (bottom left)
Black Light Table from CAUTION: Twins at Play! (bottom center)
Pretend Play Kid Hacks
If your kids love to play dress up, put on puppet shows or imitate their favorite characters, you know that pretend play can provide hours of entertainment. It doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg to put on a puppet show, and you don't need a whole amphitheater in your living room! Check out these Pretend Play Hacks and click on the links for some super fun ideas to keep those dreamers dreaming!
Instead of These:
Land of Nod Puppet Theatre Stand
Land of Nod Doorway Puppet Theatre
Kidcraft Play Kitchen
Driving Wall Panel
Train Play Tent
Rocket Tent
Make One of These:
Full size DIY Puppet Theatre from Mama Papa Bubba (top left)
Table Top Puppet Theatre from Childhood 101 (top center)
Pack Up and Play Kitchen from And Next Comes L (top right)
TV Cabinet Puppet Theatre from Growing Book by Book (middle left)
Doorway Puppet Theatre from Dukes & Dutchesses (middle center)
DIY Mounted Car Dashboard from And Next Comes L (middle right)
DIY Cardboard Fine Motor Dashboard from Lalymom (bottom left)
DIY Over-table Train Tent from Craftulate (bottom center)
DIY Cardboard Rocket Ship from Lemon Lime Adventures (bottom right)
Life Skills and Educational Tool Hacks
We all want the best for our kids and if you are here, reading this, I am guessing that does not stop with their education. If you can't fit or afford an entire classroom at home, you can still work on those school skills at home! Check out these Educational Tool Hacks and click each link for the details.
Instead of These:
Learning Resources Alphabet Pocket Chart
Double-sided Plastic Easel
Kaplan See Through Easel
Full Size See-Thru Easel
Guidecraft Folding Kitchen Helper
Alex Super Art Table
Little Tikes Spiralin' Seas Water Table
Make One of These:
DIY Alphabet Pocket Chart (Optionally doubles as baby gate cover) from Lalymom
Simple Plexiglass Easels from Teach Preschool
Framed Plexiglass Easel from Fantastic Fun and Learning
DIY Window Easel from Teach Preschool
DIY Folding Kitchen Helper from Where Imagination Grows
Convert a Crib to an Art Desk from A Little Learning for Two
Removable, Adjustable Water Wall from Still Playing School
Portable Water Walls from Fun-A-Day
DIY Water & Tinker Table from Teach Preschool
RELATED: Sensory Table IKEA HACK
Cardboard Craft Hacks
Click on the pictures below for a full tutorial:
Am I missing your favorite Kid Hack? Let me know about it!
What a great roundup! Thanks for including our Cardboard Rocket Ship!
Those are some brilliant ideas! I’m glad I read this.
Love some of these ideas!
So, I definitely want to try the Lego Wall board in my classroom next year. And I have already pinned a million light box DIYs because I want to do that too. But now I really really want that puppet theater in a TV cabinet. Too Awesome!
~Heather
The Meek Moose
Hehe so many fun ideas, right Heather?! Thanks for coming by and thanks for the kind comment!
some great ideas here
Thanks!
I love this. I’m not creative on my own, but I enjoy seeing what others create. My daughter loves doing stuff like this, so I’m sending this to her.
Thanks for the kind comment Michelle, I hope she enjoys them!
The playmat for cars is something I’d like to make.
Fun idea, right Mary P? Thanks for coming by!
Great list, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the kind comment and you are welcome!
There’s some great ideas for things kids can use to play and learn. I like the light table.
Thanks David, we have fun with our light box! Plus I love that I can put it away when we are not using it! 🙂
Never heard about light hacks, but the tips are space and money saving, two thumbs up.
Thanks Michelle!
Some really creative ideas. Love your website!!
Thanks for the kind comment Stacey!
congrats on the giveaway! thank you for this opportunity
So many great ideas! Thanks for sharing.
Love these ideas. Thanks for sharing!
fantastic ideas, im always keen to save money but still give ours kids the opportunities they desire xx
I hear you! I hope you found some good ideas!
What great ideas! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the kind comment!
It must have taken an incredible amount of time and love to put this together..Thank you
This is such an awesome list! Thanks for sharing it… i think the box rocket i am sure my little boy would love it.
Passing by from the kids co-op link up
Thanks for coming by! Hope you like the rocket!!
I love these hacks! That crib to art table has got to be my favorite 🙂 We have a similar hack- out “Toddler Bed to Train Table” saved us money and space! http://munchkins-and-moms.blogspot.com/2014/05/toddler-bed-to-train-table-in-less-than.html
So MANY creative ideas! I love them! I don’t have kids, but I now have lots of ideas for future visitors!
Hehe thank you for the kind words and for coming by to check out my blog!
Some great ideas!!
Thank you!
soooo many great ideas, thank a lot for sharing.
Thank you so much!
Goodness, Laura – these are brilliant! I would have killed for a list like this when we were in a 900 sq ft, one-bedroom apartment! Even now, with a 3/4 bedroom house, I feel like space is at a premium – things just seem to multiply and expand…
I also love how many of these can be made by or with kids!! Totally up my alley 🙂