Last year, instead of exchanging traditional gifts, we decided to invest in something that would provide long-lasting joy: transforming a corner of our unfinished basement into KID Central. And let me tell you, it has been worth every penny.
Our crazy boys (3 and 1) have a safe, designated space to let loose and burn off energy—especially on rainy days or chilly nights when we’re stuck indoors. The best part is that as they grow, we can keep adding new features and upgrades. This Christmas, we’re planning to install a rock wall for them to climb.
Like most unfinished basements, ours was a little… dusty. But my husband, being the detail-oriented planner he is, insisted we clean the space thoroughly before investing in anything. So we broke out the shop vac and went to work.
Once the space was cleaned up, I knew I wanted to lay down some carpet for extra padding—especially for crawling and the occasional impromptu gymnastics session. After checking out a few local Home Depots and Lowes, I discovered that they sell remnant carpet pieces at a steep discount if you catch the timing right. I got lucky one day when I spotted a corner of the store with large rolls of carpet. I asked an employee about them, and she told me they were clearing out stock for new shipments—all of it priced at just $20! We rented a truck and hauled home not just the carpet, but also some turf for an outdoor feel, along with a carpet pad to add extra cushion for our new walker.
To complete the floor, we added gym flooring from Home Depot, which made the space even more versatile.
But the real star of the show? The swings. We hung up two swings: a circle swing and a hammock swing. Of the two, the circle swing has become an absolute favorite—both boys love taking turns flying around.
We also created a coloring wall using two whiteboard panels from Home Depot. I mounted them side by side on the studs, and now our little ones have a place to draw, doodle, and unleash their creativity.
Most of the toys in the basement are hand-me-downs or gifts that didn’t have a place elsewhere in the house, but it’s amazing how much enjoyment they get out of them now. We also moved some outside toys inside for the winter. The biggest hit, though, has been the bounce house—it’s always a crowd-pleaser!
Here is a list of the items:
- Circle Swing
- Hammock Swing
- Pop Up Camper Tent
- bounce house
- tunnel
- Knee Hockey Kit
- Soccer Net
- Similar blow up guy who we throw things at
- Little tikes slide
The unfinished basement full of old and new toys is a fan favorite at our house. It is the place the guest kids always want to play. I hope this encourages you to not overlook that corner of your unfinished basement! Also, if you have a great spot or idea on entertaining young kids, I’d love to hear. Please share your tips in the comments!
With Love, Chloe
-This post does contain affiliate links-
Kranz Co. Life in Bloom 
Leave a comment