CHILDHOOD

DESIGN GUIDE
10 Simple Steps To Transform Your Home
Into A Play Inducing Haven

TheParentingJunkie.com
HEY THERE
YOU!
Did you know that you don’t
work for your home, it works for
you! Are you ready to take some
simple, yet powerful steps, to make
your home a trustee partner that
supports your parenting journey?

GRAB A GARBAGE BAG AND LET’S GO!

If you’re here, I know that you’re an intentional, imperfect parent - just

like me. You might be feeling overwhelmed…with clutter, chaos and
conflict

…And underwhelmed at your child’s interest in playing - especially

independently.

I know how frustrating it can be to have a home that doesn’t support

your vision for a mindful, simplified and joyful atmosphere.

We can fix that.

I’m a Performance Coach for parents and a homeschooling mother and

my work is dedicated to helping parents create family bliss.

I really want to encourage you not to let those nasty guys Mr.
Perfectionism, Mr. Procrastination and Mr. Passivity guide this process.
Thank them and bid them goodbye - and instead start by taking ONE
SMALL DO-ABLE step. No step is too small, it will get you on the path
of taking action and making changes. And come celebrate it with us in
our Facebook Group, Love Parenting With Avital.

In this guide you’ll find 10 design tips to declutter, rejuvenate and

transform your home in a play-inducing haven for your child.

Avital xxx
SHARE YOUR JOURNEY WITH US!

Join Our Facebook Group

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STEP 1// DECLUTTER SHARE YOUR BEFORE AND
AFTER PLAY PICS WITH

The first step to designing a play inducing space is to minimize. #RECLAIMPLAY

Become a Declutter Gangsta! Overwhelm is the #1 reason children
can’t sink into play. To begin, get rid of the following toys:

1 BROKEN/MISSING PIECES
Be ruthless
What’s the point of keeping them if they don’t work properly?

2 ULTRA SPECIFIC
Things that can’t be imagined into something else or used multiple ways.

with that
3 PLAY BY THEMSELVES
Toys that are active (light up, sing, dance and entertain) make for
children that are passive.
clutter...
GET IT OUT! IF IT SITS AROUND YOUR
HOME IT WILL FIND IT’S WAY BACK

4 ANNOY YOU
IN... DON’T LET YOUR HARD WORK GO
TO WASTE!

If you don’t love it, don’t keep it. Make your home a sacred temple of joy.

5 ADVERTISEMENTS FOR PRODUCTS

Swag from your last company conference? No thanks. We’re opting for a
commercial free childhood.

6 TV SHOW CHARACTERS
A constant promotion of other people’s imagination? These lead children
to rigid, repetitive play rather than coming up with their own ideas.

7 PASSING FADS
Anyone remember Tamaguchis? If it’s not built to last, don’t keep it.

8 DUPLICATES
You do not need more than one fire truck. Duplicates are clutter.

9 OFFENSIVE IN NATURE
War play is A-OK! But get rid of toys that always seem to lead to
genuinely mean or unkind behavior.

10 UGLY
We want our play space to be beautiful, soothing and pleasing to all eyes,
including adults.

3
 CLICK

STEP 2//
TO SHOP
IMAGINATION
ZONE

CREATE AN
IMAGINATION
ZONE
BECOME A PLAY ARCHITECT!

This zone is about skills, What should I put in The Play

concentration and imagination. Zone?

This is where the building, the Think blocks, characters, vehicles.

imaginary play and the long, You really do not need very much
immersed hours of getting lost in in this zone – or in any of them –
other worlds can happen. Think: in fact. The important thing here
Pretend play! Dressing up and is that you be able to neatly store
little worlds. whatever you do have out so that
it remains an inviting space to
dive deep into the imagination.

SHARE YOUR BEFORE AND

AFTER PLAY PICS WITH
#RECLAIMPLAY

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 CLICK

STEP 3//
TO SHOP
BOOKS

CREATE A
QUIET ZONE
BECOME A PLAY ARCHITECT!

A QUIET CORNER
WHERE WE CAN
REGULAT E

This zone is about relaxing, What should I put in The Quiet

cuddling, chatting, reading, Zone?
playing dress up, hiding. It’s
Consider soft, relaxing colors and
also a perfect spot for time-ins
textures. Rugs, pillows, blankets,
when your child is riled up.
poufs, stuffed animals, Tents. This
This is a great zone to hang out is where we keep our books, our
in when you’re winding down for doll & stroller, and our dressing
bed or when one kid needs some up box, too. This is not the place
space alone. for toys - especially if the quiet
zone is also your child’s bedroom.

SHARE YOUR BEFORE AND

AFTER PLAY PICS WITH
#RECLAIMPLAY

5
 CLICK

STEP 4//
TO SHOP
MESSY ZONE

CREATE A
MESSY ZONE MESSY PLAY
HELPS WITH
MORE COMPLEX
BECOME A PLAY ARCHITECT!
LEARNING TASKS

This zone is by no means messy, in and of itself. Rather, it invites messy,

sensory, tactile play... the type of play where your hands are touching
and manipulating various materials, and you can immerse yourself in
projects and creativity. This type of play is critical - it supports healthy
academic, motor and emotional development.

What should I put in The Messy Messy Zone Tip:

Zone?
Think manageable, wipe-able
We love to have all the basic messes. Use trays to contain
art supplies (Scissors, Markers, projects, keep wipes or rags
Stamp sets, Crayons, Stapler, handy and opt for washable
Hole Puncher, Tape, Glue, Paint, paints and markers.
Water Colors, paper) available
here regularly.

SHARE YOUR BEFORE AND

AFTER PLAY PICS WITH
#RECLAIMPLAY

6
 CLICK

STEP 5//
TO SHOP
MOVEMENT
ZONE

CREATE A
MOVEMENT
ZONE
BECOME A PLAY ARCHITECT!

MOVEMENT
HELPS WITH SELF
REGULAT ION
The movement zone is a place in the home where children can roll
over, hang upside down, swing, kick, rough house, giggle, stretch and
MOVE!

Why a Movement Zone? What should I put in the

Movement Zone? Balance
Movement is key to health and
beams, rock climbing walls,
self regulation and having a swing
swings, mats, sofa cushions,
in a home is one of my personal
ball pools, climbing apparatus.
favorite ways to offer sensory
Anything and everything that a
soothing, releasing and healthy
child can climb on, hang off and
gross motor experience. See the
roll around on.
swings I love and why I love them
here.

SHARE YOUR BEFORE AND

AFTER PLAY PICS WITH
#RECLAIMPLAY

7
 CLICK

BONUS STEP//
TO SHOP
FOCUS
ZONE

CREATE A
FOCUS ZONE
BECOME A PLAY ARCHITECT!

The Focus Zone is a place where kids can sink into concentrating on
school work, on puzzles, on science experiments and on technology.

Why a Focus Zone? What should I put in the

Focus Zone? Puzzles, science
Bigger kids who are getting into
experiments, technology, school
projects that likely need adult
books and school work, electronic
supervision - will benefit from
kits, STEM toys.
having a dedicated “work desk”
to signal to them that this is a
place to really pay attention, treat
materials with respect and be
focused on the task at hand until
it’s done to completion.

SHARE YOUR BEFORE AND

AFTER PLAY PICS WITH
#RECLAIMPLAY

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STEP 6// GET (THE CLICK
TO SHOP
T HINK:
Durable, Minimalistic,

ONLY) 10 TOYS
TOYS I LOVE
Gender Neutral & Open
Ended

YOU NEED
BECOME A CURATION DIVA!

1 BLOCKS
This category spans a wide variety of building materials that
6 SCARVES/ DRESSING UP
I love play silks! They can be imagined into limitless ways
a child can use to build whatever world they want. These could – a cape, blanket, towel, tent, flag, pirates hat, ballroom
be simple set of wooden blocks or more sophisticated Magna- dress, a river, a uniform, belt – they are endlessly pleasing.
tiles, Classic Lego or Duplo. Anything open-ended will do. A By investing in a set of silk scarves, you can avoid collecting
few more favorites I recommend are wooden blocks (often the bulky, hard to store princess dresses and fireman’s
come with a wagon), B. Elemenosqueeze Soft Baby Blocks, costume, etc. You can purchase some like these or make
Tegu Magnetic Blocks, CitiBlocs, Sumblox, the Pink Montessori them yourself.

7 GROSS MOTOR
Tower, or Grimm’s Rainbow Stacker. Find more here.

2 A DOLL
Ideally, this should be a gender-neutral, simple symbol of
This category is for anything that encourages large
movement of the body. You can watch my video on indoor
another human being for a child to care for, to practice real- swings here. But even a simple gym mat, mattress, or
life skills with, and to project their own life experiences onto. balance board or beam can encourage the use of gross
A doll is not just for girls! This category of toy is for everyone. motor skills. I think balance bikes (or this one) are also a
I advice against the kinds of dolls without all the bells and great idea.

8 VEHICLES
whistles, but keeping it simple with a plush or basic baby doll
or even a teddy bear or any stuffed animal. One doll is enough!

3 CHARACTERS
This category of toy can be a set of characters made up of
Trains, cars, trucks! Children can reenact city scenes,
construction sites, and whatever your child sees happening
every day. These toys are definitely not just for boys, as
Playmobil people, Lego people, family figures, wooden peg every child will enjoy driving vehicles around in their own
people painted by your child, or animals. All of these give a imaginative worlds.

9 BOOKS
license to your child to act out social scenes and important
themes in their life.

4 A BALL
Balls are for all ages to enjoy because they can be used in so
Include a few, GOOD children’s books in your home that
can be revisited again and again. These CLASSICS will be
well-loved and enjoyed. In order not to clutter out these
many ways! You can toss, kick, bounce, and throw them as well-loved classics, frequent the library if possible and use a
well as make believe with them. One ball will get a ton of use. Kindle.

5 ART SUPPLIES
Pick more sensory-rich art materials like paint over markers.
10 SENSORY MATERIALS
This category is for all things like water, sand (kinetic),
But any open-ended and basic art material is an amazing rocks, rice, dry beans or noodles. You just need a bin (I
toy for any age. Paint, paper, cardboard boxes, play dough, love this table with bin inserts) or tray to contain it and
colored pencils or crayons... check out my page on Art Supplies your child can incorporate other toys such as vehicles or
I Love if you’d like more ideas characters into this sensory world.

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STEP 7//
GET INSPIRED BY NATURE
BECOME A PLAY ARCHITECT!

If you want to become 1 COLORS:

a childhood design Think of the soothing, natural color palette that is always harmonious in
nature. Opt for neutral colors rather than the usual screaming primary

maverick at home, colors.

take a leaf out of 2 SENSORY PLAY:

Mother Nature’s book. In nature, everything you touch has a different texture. Bring that home
by offering toys that are not plastic - things like sand, wood, metal and
IN NATURE THERE IS A WONDERFUL BALANCE - ON THE ONE HAND NATURAL other natural materials that are both pleasing and stimulating.

3 LIFE AND GROWTH:

SETTINGS ARE NEVER OVERSTIMULATING. ON THE OTHER HAND THEY’RE ALWAYS
STIMULATING ENOUGH. HERE ARE 3 WAYS YOU CAN IMPLEMENT NATURE BASED
DESIGN AT HOME:

Seeing green plants have bee shown to promote healing (in hospital
settings). Why not utilize that naturally soothing quality of plants by
bringing them into your play zone?

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STEP 8//
ROTATE
BECOME A STREW PRO

Toys, just like houses

that sit on the market
too long go “stale”
if no one’s taking
interest in them.
What should I rotate?

Any toys that aren’t being played with should be stored away for a
good few weeks. When you bring them out again your children will
“discover” them afresh, and rather than buying yet more toys - you’ve
breathed new life into the toys you already have by “strewing” them
(leaving them out in an enticing way for your child to discover).

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STEP 9//
STREW
BECOME A STREW PRO

Try presenting your

toys in new and fresh
ways, combinations
and locations - and
watch your child
drawn to play!
What should I strew?

Put out toys on a tray in a new way. Rather than just having a bin of
blocks available - try quickly building a little tower or castle. Try placing
toys your child hasn’t seen in a while on a new surface like the coffee
table or a new floor area. Or combine a surprising pairing of toys like
play dough with cars.

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STEP 10//
USE VISUAL
TRIGGERS
BECOME A PLAY ARCHITECT!

The items you have

around your home are
all feeding messages
into your brain.
WHY NOT UTILIZE THAT FACT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE AND CURATE ITEMS THAT SERVE
YOUR HIGHEST PARENTING GOALS. HERE ARE THREE FAVORITE WAYS TO CREATE
VISUAL TRIGGERS:

1 WORDS:
Choose your favorite parenting mantra like “The days are long but the
years are short”, a word like “peace” or “Love” or a quote that inspires
you. Have it where you can see it every day.

2 IMAGES:
What family photos, famous characters or natural landscapes are
meaningful to you? Think of images that remind you of your goals and
values and display them in plain view.

3 ITEMS:
Are there meaningful sculptures, nostalgic items or heirloom keepsakes
that ignite in you a passion to be your best self? Show them to yourself
daily.

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YOU ARE
WELL ON
YOUR W A Y !

If you’ve read through

this guide today: LIST EN TO T HE PODCAST !
congrats!
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YOU’VE TAKEN THE FIRST STEP INTO TRANSFORMING YOUR HOME INTO A PLAY-
bliss.
INDUCING HAVEN AND RECLAIMING INDEPENDENT PLAY FOR YOUR CHILD.
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