What is it about kids and the inexplicably magic linkthey have when it comes to cubby houses? It’s as if it has become the
great Australian dream for anyone not old enough to be mortgaged to the hilt on
their own terms…
My pre-schooler has recently unearthed the simple joy that comes
from upending the lounge cushions and constructing a soft walled fortress from
which to base himself and his merry little gang of toys (and imaginary foes!).
from upending the lounge cushions and constructing a soft walled fortress from
which to base himself and his merry little gang of toys (and imaginary foes!).
And while I’ll admit at first the perfectionist in me lamented the
destruction of my most sacred room in the house, soon enough I was taken back
on a magical trip down memory lane to the days when my youthful imagination
would run wild and, like my son, require a special place for me to weave my
dreams into play.
destruction of my most sacred room in the house, soon enough I was taken back
on a magical trip down memory lane to the days when my youthful imagination
would run wild and, like my son, require a special place for me to weave my
dreams into play.
Together with my sister, brother and any cousins we could round
up, we’d assemble makeshift cubby houses in the backyard at our grandparent’s
house, in the shed, underneath the staircase in our house – any spot was fair
game to erect our own little kingdom!
up, we’d assemble makeshift cubby houses in the backyard at our grandparent’s
house, in the shed, underneath the staircase in our house – any spot was fair
game to erect our own little kingdom!
Our most daring cubby house creation was when we laid claim to an
abandoned chook pen in the centre of the cow paddock at our Grandparents farm.
And thanks to the childlike wonder of imaginations in full bloom to us it came
complete with a courtyard, covered room and second floor viewing platform –
which I might add was a very necessary requirement when you are surrounded by
cows and one of your more frightened (city) cousins insisted on keeping watch
for any errant bulls that might permeate the wire perimeter.
abandoned chook pen in the centre of the cow paddock at our Grandparents farm.
And thanks to the childlike wonder of imaginations in full bloom to us it came
complete with a courtyard, covered room and second floor viewing platform –
which I might add was a very necessary requirement when you are surrounded by
cows and one of your more frightened (city) cousins insisted on keeping watch
for any errant bulls that might permeate the wire perimeter.
While Master H is yet to aspire to those lofty cubby house heights
it amazes me how his imagination fires into action the minute the last piece of
the playing puzzle is put in place. “Watch out, there’s a polar bear coming!”
he’ll shriek before diving for cover behind his soft furnishing walls. Sure, we live in a tropical climate,
five minutes from the beach, but that doesn’t inhibit his vivid visions.
it amazes me how his imagination fires into action the minute the last piece of
the playing puzzle is put in place. “Watch out, there’s a polar bear coming!”
he’ll shriek before diving for cover behind his soft furnishing walls. Sure, we live in a tropical climate,
five minutes from the beach, but that doesn’t inhibit his vivid visions.
Like most three year old, my son usually has an attention span to
rival his age. But here’s the thing that I’ve rediscovered since becoming a
Mummy – creating cubbyhouses could well be the most fun you can have with your
children!
rival his age. But here’s the thing that I’ve rediscovered since becoming a
Mummy – creating cubbyhouses could well be the most fun you can have with your
children!
The only thing that thwarts the fun? When mean mummy decides she’d
like to reinstate her lounge room to its former intended use at days end.
like to reinstate her lounge room to its former intended use at days end.
So, whether it gives them a sense of
proprietorial importance or just a safe haven to nurture
the nuances of their fantasy filled minds, children everywhere should extend
their right to lay claim to some sheets, soft furnishings and a few well placed
kitchen stools and indulge in some cubby house creating fun.
proprietorial importance or just a safe haven to nurture
the nuances of their fantasy filled minds, children everywhere should extend
their right to lay claim to some sheets, soft furnishings and a few well placed
kitchen stools and indulge in some cubby house creating fun.
And on day such as today, where I’ve suddenly acquired water views
thanks to the torrential rain outside, it may also be a Godsend by way of
filling in a day stuck indoors. Amen to that!
thanks to the torrential rain outside, it may also be a Godsend by way of
filling in a day stuck indoors. Amen to that!
Were you a cubby house converter or do have
a child who demands your lounge cushions double as walls? And can any of your
creations compare to my childhood Taj Mahal of cubbies?
a child who demands your lounge cushions double as walls? And can any of your
creations compare to my childhood Taj Mahal of cubbies?
We presently have a cubby house going on between two of the girls’ beds! My husband put the tent up in the backyard as well…which they sit in for hours with all their toys! xx
What a blast from the past! My kids aren’t quite into this yet but I vividly remember the joy that building inside cubby houses gave me and my brother. We’d raid mum’s linen closet and turn any chair or table we could find into wall supports and doorways. Blankets and sheets would create our darkened, secret hiding place with nooks and folds to peep through and hide our toys. Great for wet weather days. Now as a mum, I’d much rather straighten a few chairs and fold some blankets to tidy up rather than pick up tiny craft supplies and lego pieces!
Our old couches were mecca for my kids as a cubby house. I don’t think they’ve ever quite forgiven us for replacing them with armchairs! These days they play in the Wigwam we bought a while ago instead.
My kids constantly make cubby houses with the dining table chairs and spare blankets. Or they build one in the lower bunk in the big boy’s room. I think it’s the cosiness. I loved feeling cosy in a home-built cubby as a kid. 🙂
PS – Congrats on the Sealy Job!
My kids call their cubby space ‘Comfie world’. And there are times we parents squeeze in. Love it.
Boo has the rolls royce of cubbies outside with a slide and everything.
Yet he prefers a sheet over the dining table or a big cardboard box.