Name: Jackson and Clare (2 and 4 yrs old)
Location: Wesley Chapel, Florida
We are strong believers in "reduce, reuse and recycle" and try to apply it to our home as much as possible. We tend to shop at thrift stores and garage sales — and love a good Craigslist deal. Take a look around, and I hope you find inspiration in what you see.
KIDS' BEDROOM: We just got the kids this bunk bed set (another Craigslist deal). It opened up the floor area so they can play with their train tracks (another Craigslist buy), building blocks and Duplos (we bought most of our duplos on Ebay). The side table is actually meant for a bathroom, but we decided its new home was in the kids' room (and yes, it was a thrift store find).
RAFT: We made this raft as a family last summer with some sticks we collected around our yard. We actually launched it into a pond and watched it float across. The kids loved it and I decided to mount it to the wall — like a trophy commemorating our adventure.
PLAYROOM: Ryan and I love watching our kids play together, so we created a space for them downstairs where we spend most of our time. We turned our dining room into the kids' area. The craft table was a Craigslist find. We use it for drawing, play dough, board games, crafts, and even for meals when we have lots of friends over.
Thanks, Jen! Readers, you can catch more of Jen's writing at Family Sponge.
(Images: Hansard Studio)
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The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Sprout Side Table
5 Things Paris Taught Me About Travel
Recipe: Ham, Cheddar & Chive Egg Bakes
You guys are amazing treasure hunters! Do you know the brand name of the awesome train tracks that spiral into multiple levels, just in case I don't find it on craigslist :) ? Thanks, and good work!
Larsie, the train tracks are called: Thomas the Train Spiral Expansion pack. I think you can find it on Amazon. Let me double check. :-)
Larsie, I did find it on Amazon. It's called: Thomas And Friends Wooden Railway - Spiral Expansion Pack. In case you don't find a Craigslist find, here's the Amazon link: http://ow.ly/9YMX1
I love that your boy and girl share a room. Mine do the same (2 and 5) and so many people seem to find it odd.
I love it that you've made room for kids in the middle of the adult spaces of your home :) I see all these great playrooms and think that most kids I've met want to be part of the family while they're playing... so those parents are going to struggle to keep those toys in the playroom!
That's a gorgeous play kitchen! Did you make that yourselves or was that another great find?
Thanks for checking amazon for the expansion pack for me, Jadah! You just made next's birthday's shopping a little easier! :)