Nothing sparks role play, creativity and personal development quite like an area that allows little one’s imaginations to run wild!
Growing up there was nothing I loved more than activities that felt like real ones – kitchen stations, a tea set for making cups of coffee for mom and even just random toys for endless, open ended role play.
I’ve rounded up some of the most creative EYFS home corner ideas that are ideal for play rooms, nurseries and bedrooms! Don’t forget to pin or screenshot your favorite ideas for later.
23 Creative EYFS Home Corner Ideas to Spark Imaginative Play
1. Hygge Feeling
If you’re going to create a home corner, make it a cozy one! You want to create a safe space for kids that they want to take themselves to and enjoy endless hours in.
A simple way to add some instant coziness is to use lines to hang floaty fabric from, it creates this ethereal cozy feel that mimics canopies for beds, and they’ll love it!
Introduce a whole host of toys or stations for role play fun.
2. Kitchen Corner!
Create a mini kitchen of their own to play with! Some kitchen setups can be expensive, so check places such as Facebook Marketplace for second hand buys. You can also make your own kind of cabinetry using an old small shelving unit.
Take inspo from the below! You could add second hand real items such as a kettle and mugs so they get the real experience.
3. Pretend Home Setup
If you have the space, rather than a corner, create a make shift home that covers a kitchen, seating and dining area. It will provide endless opportunities for role play and fun and there are so many different activities and ideas that can stem from a fun setup like this.
4. Kitchen/Diner
This is a great EYFS corner for a nursery or a playroom which has the space. The little curated arch way creates a fun approach and a clear divide from the rest of the classroom or home.
Again, you can create these kitchen setups without having to buy specific play sets. Using old furniture as bases is good enough. I love the addition of a fake phone and notepad here so it can double up as a place of pretend work!
5. Dressing Up
We love a dress up corner, and whether you have little boys or girls who just love the idea of becoming someone different for the day, or afternoon, this is such a sweet idea that works in the smallest of corners.
All you need is a dressing up box, add costumes, old clothing you don’t wear anymore. Second hand stores are ideal for picking up dress up bags, shoes and hats to bolster up your dressing up box. Add a mirror so they can have fun with dress up and role play!
6. A Little Kitchen Diner
There’s something about pretending to make your own food, serve and clean up that’s so appealing as a little one, but it’s a setup that’s determined to be loved!
If you have a full corner, creating these fake style windows with card and tape is such a clever way to add some colour to the wall.
7. Bathing Their Dolls
For doll obsessed little ones who love carrying and caring for their babies, this sweet setup will allow endless hours of fun. It’s great for introducing some sensory, water play too.
All you need is a table, a bucket or shallow tray like the below and fill it up with water and bubbles to wash their dolls.
8. Family Room
This is a super sweet idea in a home for creating a make shift family room. Create a gallery wall with all your shots as a family, and add various items for role play such as a kitchen setup, washing machine and dining table.
Add plenty of props such as tea cups and food for their enjoyment.
9. Cozy Corner
Whether in a playroom or a large nursery, properly segment off their cozy corner with wall dividers. It will make the space feel more ‘real’ to them and create the cozy factor when they need it.
I love all the well thought details in this setup including the clock and rug which makes it feel like a real home!
10. Dressing Up Corner
Extend a dressing up corner and add a dressing table for pretend hair and makeup play! Most little ones love to copy their parents, and as soon as those little hands can grab makeup brushes, they’re there!
Create a whimsical feel by draping fairy lights and fabric overhead, with a mirror and plush little seat for a true depiction of a dressing up room.
11. Laundry
Start them young, right?! This is a super fun game that can be changed up in the corner and one that promotes matching and hand eye co-ordination skills.
Challenge them to hang and peg up the matching socks to see how many matches they can get, they will adore the tactile and sensory nature of this.
12. Campfire
Embrace the great outdoors with a campfire setup! Add a little teepee, a play barbecue and a pretend fire! Add plenty of blankets and get them to cook up a storm before stories by the campfire.
13. Role play party
This corner could be changed up as and when required, but it’s such a fun idea for a party! Add party hats, party bags, plastic cups and plates with birthday quizzes and pens which makes this a perfect activity to enjoy with friends and family too.
14. Outdoors
If you have spare space to borrow outside, why not create an outdoor role play area instead.
An eclectic feel which is fun and engaging for little ones. I adore the hung string and mismatched lamp shades for a playful backdrop for their role play fun.
15. Coffee & Tea
Make an extension of your kitchen and curate a little coffee and tea corner for your little one.
You don’t need a lot of space for this, and even reusing a set of shelves would work perfectly for this. Add utensils, cups, a fake kettle and pretend coffee, tea and sugar jars for make believe fun.
16. Christmas Corner
Get little ones excited for Christmas by creating a super festive corner to celebrate the holidays.
They’ll love helping to decorate, make pretend Christmas dinners, wrap gifts and sit in front of the pretend fire reading books. When can we move in?!
17. Snack Shop
This snack cart is a lot of fun! Get kids to setup shop and serve up your favourite treats.
Don’t forget that you can be creative with items you use, they could be second hand or everyday items from the home. Washing out sauce bottles is a great example of this or empty sprinkle bottles, especially if they’re setting up an ice cream stand.
18. Pets
Teach little ones the importance of looking after a pet by having an animal corner setup. Add food bowls, leads, a loveable teddy and pretend play items.
19. Fall Corner
Especially in kindergarten, changing up an EYFS corner seasonally will help to keep things interesting for the kids, and create new role play ideas and activities.
This fall inspired corner is a lot of fun, ideal for teaching kids about items associated with this time of year and there are so many sensory activities you can incorporate.
20. Dolls House
This dolls house setup will inspire both little boys and girls, and I love the educational element of this one with books included in the corner to do with our skin colour and families. The ‘Our Skin’ children’s book is much recommended!
Incorporating these elements into early play will encourage positive conversations from a young age.
21. Shopping
Open shop! This easy corner setup is guaranteed to delight little one’s role play games.
Get them to stock the shelves with empty bottles from the home, add a pretend cash register, basket and get them to add pricing to the items too!
22. Birthday Theme
Another birthday theme for a corner that’s a lot of fun in classroom setting!
Get them to setup the table for a birthday, table cloth, napkins, cups, and plenty of pretend food!
23. Reading & Drawing Corner
Use a dedicated corner for reading and drawing to let their creativity run free! Curate a gallery wall using their own artwork and add a cozy space for them to read or have stories read to them.
These EYFS corner ideas are perfect for home, kindergarten and beyond!
