Getting to Know: It’s OK for Play to Be Busy and influencer @chloeuberkid Shows Us How

Let’s be honest… not all playrooms look like Pinterest.

And maybe — just maybe — that’s the whole point.

We recently caught up with one of our favourite Instagram creators, @chloeuberkid, a mum of six based in England who has completely redefined what a real play space looks like.

Her world is colourful, busy, creative and full of joy.

She gives us playroom inspiration that feels both creative and completely doable, motherhood inspiration (times six, no less!) that’s grounded, honest and incredibly relatable, and yes… a little bit of toy envy too. Her spaces are layered, colourful and full of life, the kind that make you pause, look a little longer, and start rethinking how you set up your own home. There’s a warmth to everything she shares, a sense that play doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. It’s inviting, a little bit chaotic, and full of personality, reminding us that the best homes aren’t the most polished ones, but the ones that are truly lived in.

She gives us:

• playroom inspiration
• motherhood inspiration (times six, no less!)
• and yes… a little bit of toy envy too

When the Weather Turns, Play Moves Inside

As the weather cools down and the nights creep in earlier, we naturally start spending more time indoors.

It’s the season for:

• cosy mornings
• Ugg boots on
• toys out
• and imagination switched on

And that’s where indoor play really comes into its own.

A thoughtfully set-up play space doesn’t need to be perfect — it just needs to be inviting.

This is where pieces like our Doll Accessory Kit and Healthy Tummy Breakfast Tray come to life, laid out, ready to be explored, and (let’s be real) pulled apart within seconds.

 

Play Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect

Scrolling through @chloeuberkid’s feed, you’ll notice something straight away:

-      It’s not minimal

-      It’s not sterile

-      It’s not “perfectly tidy”

And that’s exactly why it works.

Her philosophy is simple:

• Toddlers can mess faster than we can tidy
• So why fight it?

Instead:

• toys are set up to be played with (and yes, knocked down)
• spaces are designed for interaction, not just display

Because real play is hands-on, a little chaotic and full of imagination, it invites children to explore, create and completely lose themselves in the moment. It’s not about perfectly placed toys or tidy spaces, but about movement, storytelling and curiosity taking over. When kids are given the freedom to play this way, they build confidence, independence and creativity and that’s where the real magic happens.

Creating a Play Space Kids Actually Use

One of the biggest takeaways from Chloe’s approach is that a great play space isn’t about having more toys, it’s about how you present them.

Here are some of her go-to ideas:

• rotate toys regularly to keep things feeling new
• group toys by theme or colour to create visual interest
• set up scenes that invite play (not just storage)
• accept that some days will look like a toy explosion

And honestly? That’s where the magic happens.

Wooden toys have remained a favourite for generations because they are durable, safe, and encourage imaginative play. Unlike many plastic toys that rely on lights and batteries, wooden toys inspire creativity, help develop fine motor skills, and last for years. Discover why more parents are choosing wooden toys as a sustainable and educational alternative for their children. If you're looking for more ways to support your child’s development through play, explore our guide here, where we share the benefits of wooden toys that parents should know.

Bringing Play to Life with Aussie Icons

At Make Me Iconic, we design toys that aren’t just for shelves they’re made to be played with, shared, and woven into everyday life.

From our Aussie Animals Set, helping little ones connect with the natural world, to storytelling favourites like our wooden Camp Fire Set, these pieces are designed to spark imagination in any space.

Whether it’s:

• a bedroom corner turned into a campsite
• a living room transformed into a mini outback adventure

Play doesn’t need a dedicated room, it just needs a little intention.

Real Play vs Real Life

Something is refreshing about seeing a play space that doesn’t scream “don’t touch”.

Because the truth is:

·         A toy kitchen often looks tidier than the real kitchen

·         A playroom rarely stays styled for more than five minutes

·         And kids will always find a way to turn everything upside down

And that’s OK.

In fact, it’s more than OK — it’s necessary.

Creating a beautiful play space is about more than just how it looks; it’s about designing an environment that invites creativity, calm, and everyday play. View our guide here, to explore simple and inspiring playroom ideas to help you style a space your child will love, while keeping it functional, organised, and filled with opportunities for imaginative play.

Letting Go Without Losing Your Mind

If the thought of toys everywhere makes you hesitate, you’re not alone.

But here’s the shift:

Instead of focusing on the mess, focus on:

• the creativity
• the independence
• the storytelling

A simple routine can help:

• a light tidy at the end of the day
• a reset in the morning
• and acceptance that during the day… It’s fair game

Because childhood isn’t meant to be neat.

A Moment of Play at Home

Whether it’s:

• setting up a pretend breakfast with our Healthy Tummy Breakfast Set
• nurturing dolls with the Doll Accessory Kit
• or creating little worlds with your favourite toys

These are the moments that matter the ones that aren’t staged or perfectly styled, but real, lived-in and full of life. The toys might be everywhere, the room might feel a little chaotic, but underneath it all is imagination at work, stories unfolding and memories being made. It’s in these everyday, unfiltered moments that kids learn, connect and truly play. Not the picture-perfect setups, but the ones that feel a little messy, a little loud and completely genuine that’s where the magic really is.

If you love play kitchen ideas, don’t miss our other blog post here on how to decorate and pimp up your own IKEA toy kitchen. It’s filled with simple instructions and creative tips to help you bring all of these styling ideas to life in your own space.

At Make Me Iconic, we expect our wooden toys to take some wear and tear, and we personally love that worn-in look. To us, it shows the toy has been loved and played with. There’s a difference between natural chipping from years of play and paint peeling because of poor finishing.

Many of us love seeing toys develop that beautiful “worn-in” look. It’s a sign they’ve been loved, played with and treasured. If you want to read more about why we celebrate this well-worn character and what it says about the value of play, check out our article We Love Worn-In Wooden Toys — It Means They Have Been Loved, where we dive into why these marks of play are something to cherish rather than hide.

Final Thought

Play doesn’t need to be quiet.
It doesn’t need to be tidy.
And it definitely doesn’t need to be perfect.

Sometimes the best kind of play is busy, loud and a little bit chaotic, the kind where toys are spread across the floor, stories are being invented on the spot, and imagination is running faster than you can keep up. It’s in these moments that kids are learning the most, problem-solving, creating, exploring and expressing themselves without limits. A perfectly tidy playroom might look nice, but it rarely sparks the same magic. Real play is hands-on, a little messy, and full of energy, and that’s exactly how it should be. Because that’s where imagination really lives.