Craft + Play Nook for Small Space Living
Interested to do simple crafts with your kids, but don’t have the space, time or budget to make it happen? This DIY craft + play nook could be for you. It can fit seamlessly into the decor of any space. It’s tiny, but packs big creative opportunity.
A great little investment
Before, as a working mom, I was too tired to do crafts with my toddler at night. And let’s be honest, I did not want stacks of supplies shoved in a cabinet, or my kitchen table covered in finger paint. (Priorities, people.) At one point, my husband brought coloring books home, since I was making zero effort.
Fast forward to my new SAHM life. Suddenly crafts were incredibly inviting to me. (Funny how that works, eh?) After some planning, I realized I could carve out an awesome craft + play nook in the family room. It could also serve as a independent play area for my growing 2-year old, while I care for his new baby brother. Say no more. Ready go!
Grab n' Go Shelving. We use this nook daily, and are constantly cleaning it up. (In fact, this photo is pretty darn tidy.) But the nook is so easy to clean and organize, that we stay motivated to use it everyday.
Inspiration
I wanted our craft + play nook to be all white, utilize our wall space, and flow into the decor. Supplies needed to be reachable and viewable. Dimensions: 6’ wide x 4’ deep. (Which is about the size of a loveseat.) I love the inspiration of these amazing nooks.
Install
Fill ‘er up.
Since I had limited space, I researched simple, inexpensive crafts and narrowed in on those with shared supplies: Crayons, paint, brushes, glue sticks, straws, popsicle sticks, noodles, string, Play Dough, scissors, construction paper. (Check out my next post: Craft + Play Nook: Starter Supply Collection.) I decided to use my DIY mason jars as vessels to fill. They were free, and were the perfect size to work with. The DIY for removing jar labels can be found in our green Easter Vases here.
Moderately Messy!
This nook allows for moderate messiness: mostly dry crafts, but a few wet crafts as well. Any large paint projects would be done at the kitchen table with military-grade smocks. Here are a few activity ideas to check out, using the supply jars.
Small space, Big table.
Most “small space” activity tables measure 28” long or 30” round—which are too small to do activities beyond coloring. By butting our table up to wall, I gained extra room for a our Craigslist table measuring 37” long x 24” wide. A perfect fit! Now our Craft + Play Nook is super inviting for 2+ people (adults included!), and we use it daily.
Retail options
Here are a few retail options offering plenty of work surfaces. They will grow with your kids and are worth the investment: IKEA’s FLISAT | Crate & Kids Adjustable White Activity Table | Pottery Barn Carolina Craft Play Table
Budget friendly
$10 Thrifted Table (If you thrift, consider paying up to $100 for a well-built table. Worth it!)
$28 Chairs (These are un-tippable and easy to clean. Sold at Costco warehouse for $14 each.)
$45 Shelves
$30 Magnet board
$0 DIY mason jars
Check out these other craft-lovin’ posts:
Pet Rocks: A 3-in-1 Craft for the Kid in All of Us
Craft + Play Nook: Starter Supply Collection
Planet Earth Party Bunting
Egg-Carton Bloom Jewelry + Easter Crafts
