Hi KW, I don't have a toddler but I follow this blog which has some great ideas I plan to use when my buba grows up. You might find something useful from this -http://playathomemom3.blogspot.com/2012/01/diy-mirror-exploration-station.html
HTH
<em>edited by nams_new on 08/07/2012</em>
Ikea have a great plastic table and chairs to match which are sturdy and easy to clean eg crayon drawings come off with cif. They are perfect for arts and crafts, tea parties, etc. Ikea also have miniature rolling pins, cutters etc which are great for play doh and we have some for cooking cup cakes and cookies too. alphabet and no. square mats on the floor are bright and also a soft landing. My daughter who is 18 months loves her paddling pool which is full of balls. An idea I pinched off a friend. Baby shop is a good place to get the mats and balls.
Hope that helps a bit
KW whispers, I'd love to help as you have always been so helpful, however my little guy is younger than yours, and I find that I'm learning each day what he's up to.
However my good friend, whom I've dubbed super mum is always my go to person on all things toddler. Her little lady is 33 months now and very kind, sweet and clever, so I asked her for some tips for you as she's just redone her nursery now that her second one is 1.
She said from ikea the long hanging baskets with holes in the front are great to keep soft toys off the floor, as they loose interst in them a bit. She recommends the folding boxes with the zippers on the bottom instead of the hard storage boxes for toys as they are easier on our new arrivals fingers when they are up and walking. She put velcro dots on the front and changes things she sticks to them such as colours, shaoes sizes etc so her LO can play games sorting the toys as she puts them away.
Hers love the craft table with the roll of paper that comes off the wall and little tubs that attach to the wall to put pens etc away. Sorry don't know the names of any of these. They also love the carpet with roads printed on it to run cars around and make up stories about where they are going.
She has posters up at toddlers eye hight with fruit, veg, numbers, dinosaurs etc and they learn them each day. It's amazing what her little one knows already. Also they have a Calender type thing that they change the days, weather time etc each day. Both her kids love it. The posters she got from dragon mart along with stick on Flower pots, which the kids pretend to water and look for fairys in etc. Which is really cute.
You sound likes fab mum.... Im sure your plat room will be amazing.
In the process of converting our downstairs spare room to a playroom for my almost 2 year old. He will not go to nursery until he is 3 so I need to keep him busy. I also have a new baby girl due in September so eventually she will use the room too.
So I'm thinking I'll need areas for crafts, role play (play kitchen etc) and somewhere for his train tracks. The space isn't huge, just under 4x4m with windows/doors on two walls so I can't go overboard with furniture as he needs room to play!
Planning ahead, this room needs to work for a 3-4 year old, I know their interests change, any tips, good multifunctional storage ideas/tips, good role-play/creative play toys that don't need too much space, what should I NOT waste money on etc etc?
BTW am heading to Dubai next weekend and planning on visiting Ikea, was thinking of buying the IKEA play kitchen, and some shelving etc while I'm there (Doha is abysmal for that sort of thing) so any IKEA products that work well (or should be avoided), or other good kids shops nearby that I should check out??
thanks in advance ladies!