playbook
Reflections, valuable insights, hand-picked product recommendations, and so much more, all aimed at enhancing the everyday homes of families!
playing “house”
When children play “House,” they replicate the adult world they observe daily. This role-playing helps them process and practice social dynamics, from empathy to communication skills.
Whether they're pretending to cook dinner or care for a baby, they’re building independence and self-confidence.
Pretend play offers profound emotional benefits. Children often use role-playing to process complex feelings or navigate challenges they’ve encountered in their everyday lives.
A thoughtfully designed play space offers a safe and controlled environment where they can express and work through those emotions.
Spaces like this one, with designated areas that mimic real-life environments, enhance that experience by giving children the tools they need to engage in play purposefully.
Designing a purposeful playroom isn’t just about filling it with toys; it’s about creating an environment that fosters growth.
A well-thought-out playroom provides more than entertainment; it’s a foundation for healthy development that will benefit them for years.
common requests
One of the most common requests we hear from families is, "We want a space that will grow with our family."
This room is a perfect example of how we design for both now and the future and proves that with the proper selections, children can enjoy hours of active play while the space stays stylish and sophisticated ✨️
It’s all about blending style, fun, and long-term functionality in every detail.
welcome, caroline
Something I rarely talk about is the culture we’ve created at Greenwich Play. Our team is comprised of talented professionals from various backgrounds, many of whom are women who took a break from their careers to focus on their families.
Caroline Caito, our newest team member, is the perfect example. After ten years in the accounting and finance industry (and two toddlers later!), Caroline took a leap of faith and leaned into her passion for organization, interior design, and early childhood.
Like so many others on our team, Caroline's journey is a testament to the fact that there is no one right path—and we’re better for it. Caroline’s insight as a mom and a professional enriches our team, and we’re thrilled to have her join us as our newest project manager and organization extraordinaire!
I am proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports a healthy work/life balance and ensures that family always comes first.
Welcome, Caroline! We're so glad you're here
snuggle season
Snuggle season is creeping in ever so slowly, and we couldn't be more excited about it 🍂
taking center stage
At Greenwich Play, we specialize in creating dynamic and inspiring play spaces where your child's creativity can truly take center stage.
A dedicated "performance" area in the playroom offers endless possibilities, whether for puppet shows, musical showcases, or just a place to hang out.
The built-in @ikea cabinets provide seamless and accessible storage solutions, neatly tucking away everything from toys to costumes. The subtle LED lighting adds a magical element, making the space feel like a cool hideaway.
Designed with both function and whimsy, this playroom blends comfort and style, creating an environment where play thrives naturally.
good use of space
Way-up-high closets no one can access (swipe, for example) should be reserved for homes desperate for storage.
This is not one of those homes.
As you can see, we made good use of the space 💜
sports, activities, movement
"Sport, activities, movement are necessities, and they lead to feeling seen, understood, needed. Feeling knit into the human family." - @jonathanhaidt
We love when families come to us to create spaces for their children to play, explore, and simply be themselves ✨️away from screens.✨️
As Jonathan Haidt suggests, feeling part of the human family is essential for healthy development, and providing places where kids can run, jump, and create builds this connection naturally, away from the isolation that screens often encourage.
It's why we are on a mission to create as many purposeful play spaces as we can, wherever we can!
Swipe for one of our favorite transformations 😍
access as the focus
How children navigate their environment fundamentally differs from adults and heavily influences our design process.
We design spaces with ✨️access✨️ as the focus because children experience the world on their own level, both physically and developmentally.
From their height to their natural curiosity, children need spaces that promote independent exploration.
Whether it’s how they take out their favorite toy or transition between activities, our spaces promote freedom of movement and purposeful interaction.
We don’t just create cool play spaces; we create chic family environments that nurture learning and growth with every step, reach, and shot 🏀
purposeful design
Purposeful design leads to purposeful play, making all the difference in your child's developmental journey.
When a playroom has an intentional allocation of space, a child can seamlessly transition from one activity to another.
Each area has a purpose: the cozy playhouse, the climber, the art table waiting for the next masterpiece—the expectations are clear.
Providing a child with a functional space empowers them to engage deeply in play that fosters cognitive, emotional, and physical growth.
At Greenwich Play, we happen to think the space should look good, too!
making sense of the world
Imagine your child in a fun, supportive environment where they can organize their thoughts, gain independence, and make sense of their world.
✨️We call that a purposeful play space.✨️
We know that behavior is better when children have access to a space at home that is thoughtfully and intentionally designed just for them.
We're on a mission to create these spaces in as many homes as possible. It doesn't have to be huge, elaborate, or out of this world. It simply has to be created purposefully for the child using it.
The Greenwich Play approach to design is to create something that works for a family’s specific needs and the space they have. Ultimately, our primary focus is on meeting the needs of our youngest clients: your child!
a new school year
A new school year means a new set of extra-curricular activities. But wait! Before adding that additional art class, hear me out.
From sports to music and art, it's easy to get swept up in ensuring our children have every opportunity to participate in developmentally supportive experiences.
But, in this rush to organize and plan, we sometimes overlook a critical element of childhood: ✨️free time for unstructured play.✨️
Children spend their entire day being directed while at school, from following classroom rules to adhering to set schedules.
After all this structure, children need moments free to decide how to spend their time.
✨️This is where play comes in—particularly the child-led kind, without the boundaries of adult expectations.✨️
So, as we map out the weeks and months ahead, let’s not forget the value of providing an inviting space for our children to play freely.
Having a designated area in the home where your child can be in charge of their activities can be incredibly liberating for them after a day of being told what to do and where to go.
Undoubtedly, extracurricular activities enrich our children's lives, but balance is essential. Let’s ensure that in addition to lessons and practices, we also carve out time for our kids to be kids.
Let’s Talk about maker spaces
Let's talk about maker spaces🎨 An inspiring, organized crafts and project area fosters creativity, problem-solving, and self-directed learning, all skills essential for success in the classroom and beyond.
Having all the tools and materials at their fingertips empowers children to explore new ideas, test their limits, and think critically. The back-to-school season is the perfect time to set up a dedicated maker space at home!
Whether for art projects, science experiments, or just creative play, a well-designed maker space gives children the freedom to build, invent, and imagine without limits.
These maker spaces we designed are a perfect blend of organization and inspiration. Everything has a place, and there’s plenty of room for big ideas. With the correct setup, your child's imagination can soar while honing critical skills for the school year ahead!
Which one is your favorite?
grow with your family
The last question of our general intake form asks, "Is there anything else you would like us to know about your family or your space?"
And, nine times out of ten, the respondent says, "I just want a space that will grow with my child."
Our approach to play space design is to lay a foundation that can easily transition with your child as they grow and develop new skills and interests, leaving you with a space that will ✨️grow with your family.✨️
understanding family needs
Understanding your family's unique needs and the space you have to use is essential for us to successfully execute a purposeful playroom.
This is why we don't offer "pre-packaged" services.
Greenwich Play is a bespoke play space design firm.
We combine research, experience, and unique resources to create thoughtfully and intentionally designed playrooms that are specific to your family's needs and space.
Yes, you can find a clickable shopping list of materials needed to set up a playroom with a simple Google search. And there is no shortage of momfluencers, interior designers, and organizational experts sharing tips and guidance on playrooms.
The problem is that most of these resources lack expert knowledge about how interior design impacts development in early childhood and they don't take the time to truly understand your space and how your family uses it.
We do✨️
To learn more about what we do and how we do it, visit the link in our bio.
Let us help you build the stage
Are you tired of your living room being transformed into an airplane one minute and a bustling bakery the next?
While pretend play is a critical component of your child's development, it doesn't have to happen in every room of the house.
Let us help you build the stage (literally and figuratively) to support your child's infinite development, and give you back the rest of your home.
it’s all in the details
It's all in the details✨️
The details provide access.
The details spark creativity.
The details create a sense of ownership.
The details are the difference between a child succeeding and failing.
The details matter. Swipe to see how it started 🤭
commercial play
Like almost everything, children develop the skills to play as they mature. They go from mastering play independently to playing by sharing space to learning to play with others.
Children go through stages of play.
Our approach to commercial play spaces considers these stages of play and the range of children who will come through the doors. We want everyone who comes to play to find purpose in the space, and that is no small feat!
With a clear allocation of space, appropriate materials, and thoughtful organization, children of differing ages and abilities can successfully use this playroom.
And, it looks cute, too✨️
making great use of spaces
Well, that's one way to make an entrance🤸🏻
This basement play space had an extensive and awkward wall upon first entering it, so we did what we do best:
Make great use of it✨️