This week I got to attend a blogger event at my local Ikea store with my local Bloggin Mamas chapter. Not only did the kids and I get to enjoy a free meal but the girls got to play in Smaland while I attended a workshop (I had hubby pick up Doodle since kids have to be potty trained and over 36″ to play in Smaland).
The workshop was on organizing the a kids’ playroom. I didn’t expect to learn too much since and I utilize a lot of the same organizational methods I used as a preschool teacher (my playroom organization methods) and our playroom is already almost entirely Ikea:
A lot of the tips they gave for good playroom organization are things I already utilize (like labeling the bins with pictures and using organizers as room dividers: check and check!) but I did learn a few new things about Ikea’s awesome products.
One of the things I never would have guessed is that the doors and legs from the Besta (adult) line work on the Stuva (children’s) cabinets which means you can take the functionality of the Stuva and make it more mature for yourself or older kids. It also means that you can get that cutesy little kid cabinet now and when they hit the teen years, can simply change out he door fronts and legs for a more mature look without having to replace the entire unit!
That’s one of the things I love about Ikea products, the versatility and ability to transform a product over time! For example, Doodle will be transitioning to a “big boy” bed sometime in the next 6 months or so and I’m thinking the Kura bed would be the perfect solution because it can start as a low bed and when he is bigger you simply flip it over and he’s got a play place underneath which is super awesome for tight spaces!
But perhaps the most important thing I learned was about Ikea’s Soft Toys for Education campaign in which Ikea will be donating $1 for every soft toy and children’s book sold between now and January 3rd to UNICEF and Save the Children (a similar program is run in Europe as well). EVERY soft toy and book from the $0.99 tiny mice to the $14.99 giant moose, $1 will be donated for each bought. So why not pick up a few for a special boy or girl in your life or to donate to children in need?
