We’ve been following mom and digital creator Chelsea Kerns’ beautifully designed play spaces and children’s bedrooms for some time, and we love the way she centers her children’s spaces around simple, open-ended play with a touch of calm, free-spirited whimsy.
From a simple block-building area to a quiet nook for books and beloved stuffed animal friends, each space invites deep play, curiosity, and rest. Creating a home where children can follow their own ideas and have the freedom to play is at the heart of what we believe at Bella Luna. We’re so pleased to showcase these beautiful children's spaces from Chelsea as well as her favorite toys for sibling play and her favorite toy choices that grow right alongside your children.
You create such serene, thoughtful spaces for your children. How do you curate their toys and surroundings to minimize distraction and encourage deep, imaginative play?
Thank you so much! I try my best to really prioritize open ended toys as much as possible! They truly are the ones that have gotten the most play for the longest amount of time in our home. Most of their toys are all available at any given time, but the ones we keep front and center that get the most use are open ended!
You have also created some magical bedrooms for your children. How do you keep their bedroom spaces organized to allow them to play but also have rest and sleep?
For their bedrooms I try to keep toys that are out in the open pretty minimal, so if they truly want something they have to bring it out! It’s not just out in the open. Bedrooms are filled with lots of books, stuffies (Senger are our favorites!), simple toys like blocks, and then lots of baskets to keep everything organized! Bolga baskets are our favorite for keeping things tidy!
What is your toy rotation process or philosophy?
I honestly don’t really do a toy rotation! Like I mentioned before, pretty much all of their toys are available to them at any given time. I like to do a “sort” of toys every couple of months and donate most of the things that are pretty singular, leaving room for our open ended toys! Kids truly do so much better with less, but it’s very hard to stay on top of in today’s culture. Something I’m constantly working on.
Do you have any tips on how to best set up your space to foster sharing and peaceful sibling play?
Open ended! I can’t say it enough, haha. Keeping the most basic of toys the most accessible to them really lets their imaginations shine when playing together. They know they’re right there, so whenever something inside them sparks it’s easy to grab and invite their sibling in to play with them!
I am a former Reggio Emilia preschool teacher and in the Reggio Emilia approach, play prompts, provocations, and invitations to play are created and filled with carefully arranged materials. Do you do anything similar in advance of your children's playtimes?
I love that! I definitely did when they were a bit younger. Getting a few simple things out for them, helping set them up, getting them interested in what we have. But now that they’re a bit older, they are SO good at setting up their own little ‘worlds’ and getting straight into play without my invitation!
What does clean up time look like with your kids? Do you have any tips to help parents instill this important part of the playroom system without facing resistance trom kids?
Over the years, I’ve noticed that getting them to clean up is the hardest when we have too many different things out at once. Kids really get overwhelmed by the amount of things and toys they have, making cleaning seem very daunting! But when there is less, it’s much easier for them to see the ‘finish line’ per se! It also helps tremendously having a system of where things go. All toys have a home and place to be put away.
What are your favorite products to add to a playroom that grow with your kids and suit their different play styles and interests?
My absolute favorite toys that have gotten the most use for almost 7 years (and are still going strong!) are blocks, dolls and doll accessories, people and figurines, play animals, magnetic tiles, cars, arts and craft supplies, balance and stepping stones, and a dollhouse (we fill ours with Maileg mice!). These items get played with every single week, if not every day!
Thank you, Chelsea, for sharing your spaces and your thoughtful approach to making room for childhood. We love seeing how a few well-loved toys, cozy corners, and plenty of freedom to imagine can create such a rich world for children to call their own.
Chelsea Kerns is a mom to two children, ages seven and five, with a third on the way. With a background in art, creativity has always been part of her life, and she now loves sharing that spirit with her children. At home, Chelsea embraces the beauty of everyday family life through baking, making things by hand, spending time outside, celebrating the seasons, and giving her children plenty of room to follow their imaginations. Check out more from Chelsea on Instagram.
We hope your season is filled with engaging fun and heaps of family laughter and love, and a few crafternoons spent together. Share your play, crafts, reading, learning or anything magical with us on Instagram @bellalunatoys and use our hashtag #bellalunatoys for a chance to be featured on our feed or stories. Happy crafting!
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