From the moment they start getting ready for their baby to come on board, parents become much more mindful of how their environment needs to change to welcome a child – or more than one child. Much like how babyproofing the home is an important and expected practice that helps parents prevent injuries and reduce the risk of all kinds of health issues for their little ones, as kids are growing, the home will also need to become a safe and clean play zone, too.
In addition to regular spring cleaning sessions that help to remove any built-up grime and dirt from those hard-to-reach spots, weekly cleaning and certain healthy practices can make your home an even healthier and kid-friendly place. All those delightful Christmas gifts, DIY projects, and homemade cookie-baking sessions need a safe place to happen, right?
As parents, you can also create a dedicated play zone in your home, to minimize the potential issues of spreading germs, slipping and falling, or developing an allergic reaction to any of the products you use. To help you achieve that, here’s a list of a few tried and tested tips to keep your play zone clean and safe!
Pick the Right Cleaning Supplies
To create a safe playing environment for your kids (and their friends, who are bound to drop by for a play session), you need to clean and disinfect the space regularly. This is especially important during these trying times, as you want to keep viruses at bay. But you shouldn’t try to do it with potentially harmful cleaners.
Be sure to check the ingredients on the packaging carefully, and look for toxic chemicals like phthalates, antibacterials, formaldehyde, and ammonia, among others. The best thing you can do is make your own healthy cleaning agents using distilled water, a cup of white vinegar, half a cup of lemon juice, and some essential oils to give it that pleasant aroma.
Keep Allergens at Bay With Air Purifiers
When allergy season kicks in, you know you’re in for a battle. And when you add dirt and pollutants into the mix, not to mention viruses and bacteria, all parents want to reduce the risk of their kids experiencing any kind of respiratory discomfort or illness.
Keep in mind that long-term exposure to pollutants and allergens in an indoor play zone can have long-term health effects, so all the more reason to keep these airborne particles at bay. The best way to do this is to simply introduce a powerful air purifier into the space, which will cleanse the air and create a safe play zone for your kids.
Make the Play Zone Safe and Comfortable
As comfy as they might seem, wall-to-wall carpets are a goldmine for germs, and they are often very high-maintenance. Instead, you can add a rug or two that will provide a few comfortable play spots in the play zone but also serve as a safety barrier when the kids toddle around and inevitably fall down.
Easy-to-clean rugs from West Elm are a great choice for your kids’ play zone. Another great place to look for rugs is Miss Amara. The rugs you choose should also be easy to vacuum or wash regularly so that you don’t have to worry about dust and dirt. This will help keep your play zone comfortable and easy to clean on a regular basis!
Be Picky With the Toys You Get for Your Kids
$16.95
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Fat Brain Toys
The chemicals and harmful ingredients used in plastics and paints as well as in processing different toys are common nowadays. You can, however, find natural and nontoxic toys that are made of natural materials and contain no harmful ingredients for your kids.
Look for organic cotton, plastic-free toys like stuff from Fat Brain Toys, or, if your kids love to get artsy and craftsy, eco-friendly brands like Eco-Kids for your supplies. Creative play with wooden blocks easily replaces regular plastic, so you can encourage your kids to develop their skills without any exposure to toxins!
Minimize Clutter in the Play Zone
You know how when kids get excited, all heck might break loose, and they won’t even notice when it’s time to clean up? Add to that the kids who like to hoard old toys, making it impossible to keep them all clean at all times.
The best way to deal with it is to introduce a simple rule: When they’re getting a new toy, they should give away one or two of their existing toys to cousins, friends, or kids in need.
Also, set up storage boxes that will allow kids to pack their toys away, instead of letting them lie on the floor collecting dust and dirt, especially if you have pets.
As your kids are growing up, they can discover new ways to have fun, all without jeopardizing their well-being under your own roof. They’ll have plenty of germ exposure while playing outdoors, and bringing playmates over is more than enough, so keeping your dedicated play zone clean and safe will give you peace of mind. It will also be a learning opportunity for your kids to figure out the best ways to have fun while practicing certain safety and hygiene basics — all brilliant for teaching healthy discipline and responsibility through fun and play!
Psst: If you choose to purchase an item from this article, LittleThings may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
