[nicandboys]

Does the canopy make a big difference? Trying to decide if we need to shell out the extra money for a canopy too. Is it possible to buy a canopy seperately later if we decide we want one?

 

[Deborah]

My daughter has playstands without the canopy. For her daycare area she suspended a cloth from the ceiling to go over the playstands. It was draped over two dowels and the dowels hung from hooks in the ceiling on very fine string. Looked nice, made a roof effect and left the playstands free to be moved around and rearranged. You should get the giant clothespin thingies and some large playcloths so the kids can drape them for their own games.

Deborah

 

[melamama]

We made our playstands, and the canopy isn't actually too difficult to make if you have some woodworking knowledge.

I also have seen them for sale separately--you just have to check the top piece of the playstand since there are a few different ways I've seen it done, and you need both to match up.

You can do without it, but I think it's nicer with the canopy. My kids almost always are using the canopy for something--either as a roof or a laundry line or something.

 

[Mommy&Will]

My initial reaction was to tell you to get the canopy because I love hanging playsilks over it - it provides such soothing colors. But... I think Deborah has a great point - get the jumbo clothes pins instead. I am actually buying those this year for Christmas, so I am betting the (homemade) canopy will get stored away often.

 

[melamama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mommy&Will My initial reaction was to tell you to get the canopy because I love hanging playsilks over it - it provides such soothing colors. But... I think Deborah has a great point - get the jumbo clothes pins instead. I am actually buying those this year for Christmas, so I am betting the (homemade) canopy will get stored away often.

maybe...but they'll probably both just get used more.

the clips are so useful for hanging so many things off the canopy, then attaching them to the sides to make complete rooms, etc., etc.

I also just think the clips are lovely to hold and look at. I like the way that they're carved. --start collecting the heavy rubber bands from things like broccoli, they're useful to replace the bands that come with the clips as they don't last forever

 

[*clementine*]

I have two playstands. One is downstairs with a canopy, and the other is in Lucia's room without a canopy. In the first one, I put a lot of Waldorf toys on the shelves and a kitchen set in the middle. She played in that every single day for two years. When I added one to her bedroom, I laid an organic toddler sized futon on the floor of the playstand and just clipped a silk over it. She loves it just as much as the other one, and leaving it empty has really encouraged lots more play........who'da guessed. She drags dolls and silks into the empty one and plays for hours.

 

[AppleOrangePear]

DH made DS playstands months ago however just this weekend got around to making the canopy. it honestly looks so much nicer and DS seems to love it even more.. The silk doesnt seem like its so close to your head. If you know someone that has a band saw it is quite easy to make yourself.
Michele