Creating a fun hidden nook for DS -- Need Ideas!

[simplemama32]

I will try to post pictures and accurate measurements tonight, but I'm excited about this, so I had to go ahead and post.

We have a small cabinet/"room" under the stairs that I would like to turn into a (very) small play space and fun hideaway for DS who is currently 2.5...something that he can enjoy now but can also grow with him. As I mentioned above, I'll take measurements when I get home tonight, but the space, though tiny, is large enough for DS to drag a folded quilt and plenty of his toys into, and he can stand up with plenty of room to spare.

I just have no idea which direction to go with this project. I saw an idea on Ohdeedoh a while back where a mother had turned her children's closet into a pretend spaceship. I love the general idea of that, but it also seems maybe a bit too specific for us. DS is still so young, and I obviously have no idea what his favorite things are going to be when he gets older. Right now, he loves the color blue, anything with a motor (cars, tractors, airplanes), "cooking", animals (especially dogs and cats), and drawing/painting.

I've also got a ton of brightly colored felt I could use for something...I thought about covering one wall with some of it and also cutting out shapes to make some sort of playscape where he could move the pieces around. I thought about an art nook, but it's a little small for that, really, plus it could get too messy. I've thought about keeping it simple and just making it a really cozy reading nook, but I don't know.

Ideas???

[MJ13]

We have a closet that my kids love to play in (and all the other kids who come over and play!)

They have flashlights and a lantern they always take. Along with pillows & blankets. Then they fill backpacks with whatever they are pretending for the day. Books, trains, computer, hot wheels etc.

I *love* the idea of a felt wall though!

[jtbuko]

We love nooks!

Random ideas my kids dig that you could incorporate depending on your theme:
Metal wall for magnet play
Mirrors facing each other
PVC/ gutter ramp system for golf balls etc.
pegboard and golf tee wall
curtain doors
rope lights

Have fun!

[LaughingHyena]

I think the felt wall sounds great. We saw one where someone had laminated loads of leaves and put velcro dots on the back so they would stick to the wall. My 2 had a blast with it. You could do a few sets in different themes and switch them out every so often.

Maybe make a wall hanger with pockets (like the ones sold for storing shoes) so he can keep a few treasures/story books/flash light in there too.