If you’re constantly saying “no,” “don’t touch that,” or “not right now,” this one’s for you.
Toddlers are curious, impulsive, and hardwired to explore. That’s amazing — and also, let’s be honest, completely exhausting when you’re just trying to get through the day without a meltdown (theirs or yours).
That’s where a yes space for toddlers comes in.
A yes space isn’t just about baby-proofing. It’s a game-changing parenting tool that gives your toddler the freedom to explore and play without constant redirection. It’s a safe, simple environment where everything is approved, touchable, and 100% okay to use. No hovering. No yelling. No “don’t do that” every 20 seconds.
And the best part? Yes spaces build your toddler’s independence, boost their confidence, and give you a little breathing room.
In this blog, we’ll break down:
What a yes space for toddlers actually is
Why it works so well for play and development
How to set one up in any home (yes, even tiny ones)
Plus 10 real-mum-tested tips to make it actually work in daily life
Let’s ditch the “no’s” and start saying yes — without even having to say a word.
Imagine a place in your home where your toddler can roam freely, touch anything within reach, and play without you having to hover or constantly say, “No, don’t touch that!” Sounds like a dream, right? That’s precisely what a yes space for toddlers is—a designated area where everything is safe and accessible, allowing your little one to explore and learn independently.
The idea of a yes space is rooted in the philosophy of treating children with respect and acknowledging their innate desire to explore. By creating an environment tailored to their developmental needs, we empower toddlers to become confident and self-reliant individuals.
Safety First: Every item within the space is child-friendly, eliminating potential hazards and the need for constant supervision.
Freedom to Explore: Toddlers can choose their activities, fostering decision-making skills and independence.
Consistency: A predictable environment helps children feel secure and understand their boundaries.
Uninterrupted Play: Encourages deep engagement, allowing toddlers to develop focus and concentration.
By setting up a yes space for your toddler, you’re not only creating a safe play area but also laying the foundation for lifelong skills such as independence, confidence, and self-discipline.
A yes space for toddlers isn’t just a play zone — it’s a brain-building, meltdown-preventing, confidence-growing powerhouse.
The goal? Give toddlers the freedom to explore safely, without constant redirection or correction. That’s not just convenient — it’s developmentally essential.
The concept of a yes space is deeply rooted in RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers), founded by child expert Magda Gerber. Her belief? Babies and toddlers are capable, curious individuals who deserve environments that support their natural desire to learn and explore — without adult interference at every turn.
RIE encourages caregivers to:
Trust a child’s ability to engage independently
Set up a physically safe space so toddlers can explore freely
Avoid overstimulating toys or constant “teaching”
In short: A yes space creates a respectful environment that says, “I trust you.”
Learn more about RIE: RIE Official Website
Maria Montessori famously believed that “play is the work of the child.” A yes space for toddlers aligns beautifully with this — offering freedom within clearly defined limits.
Montessori-inspired yes spaces:
Use low shelves and open baskets
Encourage independent choice and self-direction
Emphasize order, accessibility, and calm
By setting up a yes space, you’re applying key Montessori principles without needing a full curriculum.
Explore the approach: Montessori at Home – The Montessori Notebook
When toddlers know they’re allowed to touch, move, and explore freely:
Their stress levels drop
Their problem-solving skills increase
They engage longer in solo play
They experience fewer power struggles (and so do you)
You’re not just giving them a space — you’re giving them ownership.
Okay, now that we know why a yes space for toddlers is a game-changer, let’s talk about how to actually make it happen — without needing a Pinterest-perfect playroom or spending a fortune on Montessori furniture.
This section is all about creating a safe, functional, and actually usable yes space that supports your toddler’s development and gives you a moment to breathe.
Before adding a single toy, make sure the space is physically safe. That means everything within reach is:
Non-toxic
Unbreakable
Secure (no toppling furniture, no cords or outlets)
Age-appropriate
Popular yes space setups:
A gated-off section of the living room
A corner of your child’s bedroom
A large playpen with soft flooring
A walk-in closet or office-turned-play-zone (seriously!)
You don’t need a full room. One thoughtfully prepared area can work wonders.
Toddlers love knowing where things begin and end. Use these subtle visual cues to make the yes space feel like theirs:
A soft mat or rug to mark the zone
Low shelves or a storage cube
A basket of books or a low table for play
Visual structure helps them feel grounded — and reduces the need to wander (or escape).
More stuff ≠ more play. In fact, too many toys can overwhelm toddlers and shorten their attention span.
Stick to 3–6 toys or materials at a time, including:
One stacking or building item (blocks, magnetic tiles)
One sensory element (scarves, ribbons, soft balls)
One pretend play item (stuffed animal, cup + spoon)
One cause-effect toy (popper, push-and-go car)
Keep extras out of sight and rotate them weekly.
Not all toys are created equal — and a yes space should only include ones that:
Don’t require adult help to use
Don’t overstimulate with noise and lights
Can be used multiple ways (hello, open-ended!)
Great yes space toys:
Stacking cups
Wooden or silicone blocks
Fabric tunnels
Board books
Large plastic animals or figures
Ring stackers
Sensory balls or mirrors
📌 Read More: Coming Soon – [Minimalist Toy Guide: Essentials for Open-Ended Play]
The whole point of a yes space is independence. So ditch the high bins and complicated storage.
Instead:
Use low baskets or trays
Store books in front-facing displays or shallow boxes
Lay some items directly on the play mat to invite interaction
Make it obvious what’s “available” — toddlers will engage more when they don’t have to ask.
Need a crash course in making your yes space for toddlers actually function day to day? These quickfire, mum-tested tips are simple to implement and perfect for overwhelmed parents just trying to get a moment of peace.
Use them as a checklist, pin them for later, or copy them straight into your brain.
You don’t need a Pinterest-worthy playroom. A corner of the living room or a section of your toddler’s bedroom is enough. Just gate it off, make it safe, and boom — you’ve got a yes space for toddlers.
3–6 toys at a time is plenty. More toys = more chaos, less focus. Simplicity encourages deeper, longer play.
A playmat, rug, or shelf helps your toddler visually understand: this is your space. It sets the scene and encourages ownership.
Don’t add more toys — just swap them out! Rotation keeps things interesting and helps toddlers engage without overwhelm.
Tactile items like fabric squares, silicone blocks, or textured balls support sensory development and exploration — a huge benefit of a yes space for toddlers.
Lights and music are fun… until they overstimulate your toddler. Quiet, open-ended toys allow imagination and focus to thrive.
In the early days, toddlers might need you in sight. Sit with your coffee and resist the urge to comment on their play. This builds trust in the space.
Board books belong in your yes space. They can be read, flipped through, stacked, or “read” aloud by your toddler.
Insert yes space time into predictable moments — after breakfast, before nap, during dinner prep. Routine reduces resistance and increases success.
If they play alone for 3 minutes today, cheer! Tomorrow it might be 5. Independent play is built in tiny, amazing moments — and your yes space for toddlers makes that possible.
One of the best parts about creating a yes space for toddlers is that it evolves with your child. What works at 14 months won’t cut it at 3 — and by 5, your child might be using the same space in totally new ways.
Here’s how to adjust your yes space as your child grows, using what you already have, and adding in just a few intentional tools along the way.
At this stage, it’s all about sensory exploration and movement. They’re crawling, cruising, standing, and putting literally everything in their mouth.
What to include:
Soft blocks or silicone stacking cups
Large sensory balls
Baby-safe mirror on the wall
Small basket of board books
Pop-up tunnel or foam mat to crawl on
A few musical toys (egg shaker, soft drum)
Pro Tip: Keep it simple. This age will repeat the same motion 100 times — that is learning.
Now they’re walking (or running), mimicking your routines, and testing independence.
What to include:
Low shelf with 3–4 toys
Small doll or plush with blanket for pretend play
Ring stacker
Push-and-go vehicles
Sensory tray with fabric scraps or nesting cups
Pro Tip: Sit quietly in the space sometimes. Your calm presence = safety, which encourages longer play.
Welcome to the land of repetition, chaos, and big feelings. Toddlers this age thrive on familiarity — and often love role play.
What to include:
Pretend food, dishes, or mini broom
Stacking or nesting toys
Large toy animals or chunky figurines
Magnetic tiles (supervised!)
Small table and chair for drawing
Pro Tip: Add one open-ended “wild card” item like a cardboard box, fabric square, or wooden scoop. You’ll be amazed what they do with it.
Here we see storytelling, world-building, and longer solo play stretches (hallelujah).
What to include:
Small baskets for sorting
Puppet or finger puppet set
Open-ended building blocks
DIY “kits” with stickers, paper, washi tape
Mini animals, people, or vehicles for storytelling
Chalkboard or whiteboard (at their level)
Pro Tip: Let them leave play “setups” in place overnight. Picking up mid-story can ruin the magic.
This age group still benefits from a yes space — especially one that supports creativity, logic, and problem-solving.
What to include:
Playdough with rolling pin and stamps
Washable markers and blank paper stack
Building kits or magnetic rods
Books with no words (for storytelling!)
Loose parts play tray
Floor puzzle with 10–20 pieces
Pro Tip: Include a visual timer if your child likes structure — “You can play in your yes space for 20 minutes, then we’ll have lunch.”
Creating a yes space for toddlers is genius — keeping them in it, engaged, and not launching toys like missiles? That’s where things get messy (literally and emotionally).
Here are the most common hiccups parents hit — and what to do about them.
Totally normal — especially in the early days.
Try this:
Sit in the space with them for a few minutes
Don’t direct, just observe quietly
Use a transition phrase: “This is your play time now”
Set a timer: “When the timer dings, we’ll have snack!”
Bonus Tip: Make sure the yes space is engaging, not boring. If it’s filled with things they’ve ignored for weeks, freshen it up with a toy swap.
You’re not raising a tiny wrecking ball — you’re raising a scientist.
Try this:
Offer a toy they can throw (soft ball, bean bag)
Say, “This one is for throwing. These ones stay inside.”
Create a “dump bin” they can empty and refill
Why it happens: Toddlers throw to test gravity, reaction, and boundaries. Your yes space is their lab.
Spoiler: that’s not boredom — that’s testing attention span, which is still developing.
Try this:
Rotate toys weekly (or even daily during slumps)
Add one “mystery item” like a cardboard tube or empty shoebox
Sit nearby with a calm energy — your presence encourages focus
Also helpful: Try scheduling yes space time when your toddler isn’t hungry, tired, or already overstimulated.
This is super common — especially around 12–24 months.
Try this:
Use proximity play: sit just outside the yes space but remain visible
Start small — even 2 minutes solo is a win
Reassure: “You’re safe. I’ll be right here.”
Gradually increase the time and distance over days or weeks
📌 Read More: Coming Soon – [What to Do When Your Toddler Won’t Play Alone]
Here’s the truth: your toddler’s yes space won’t always look tidy. It won’t always be quiet. And it definitely won’t always go according to plan.
But here’s what it will be — a safe, predictable environment where your child gets to explore, decide, test, and grow on their own terms.
A yes space for toddlers isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating a space where they feel trusted, safe, and capable.
Even five minutes of solo play in that space builds:
Confidence
Focus
Independence
Emotional regulation
And yes… time for you to actually finish a hot drink
You don’t need more toys, more space, or a Pinterest-worthy setup. You just need intention — and consistency. Start small. Keep showing up. And trust the process.
Here’s what to read next to keep your toddler thriving:
From magnetic tiles to dolls and pretend kitchens, these 15 toddler toys are actually worth the shelf space — and designed to encourage solo play and confidence.
Delve into the world of loose parts play with our selection of toys that inspire exploration and innovation. Perfect for enhancing your toddler’s sensory and cognitive skills.
Simple, real-life play space ideas for toddlers that spark imagination, support independence, and give you a moment to breathe — no Pinterest-perfect setup required.
When the milk spills, the toddler tantrums, and your patience snaps before 9AM — you’re not failing. This is one mum’s story of surviving the messy mornings and finding connection in the chaos.
Discover how a simple toddler play schedule can create calmer days, boost independent play, and give you back precious breathing space — no strict routines required.
One chaotic morning, I realised the tension in the house wasn’t just coming from my toddler — it was coming from me. This is the story of how I stopped fuelling the chaos and started checking my own emotional thermostat first.
