Simple ways to involve older children in your nursery design

Whenever a new baby is on the way parents are always sensitive to the feelings and needs of older children. Finding fun and age-appropriate ways to include them in your pregnancy is a wonderful way to make sure siblings don’t feel left out, and helps to minimize the possibility of any hurt feelings when your new family member makes his or her debut.

Designing the nursery can seem like a daunting task for any parents, new or seasoned. We’ve all been there. But working together to prepare the nursery can be a bonding experience, and a great way for older brothers and sisters to feel as if they’re an important part of this journey. Because they are!

While big tasks such as assembling the crib or painting should be left to adults, there are still plenty of areas where your kids can pitch in. Hands-on activities related to baby preparation can be a great complement to all the important talks you will have with your children in the months leading up to your baby’s arrival.

Some of our favorite ways older children can safely help with the nursery design process with minimal headaches for mom and dad:

1. Help with selecting paint colors. The key to this project is to present your child with 3-5 pre-approved options to choose from. I become overwhelmed when I’m at the paint store and faced with thousands of options of swatch colors, so I can only imagine what a daunting task this would be for a child! Instead, do your homework and choose your favorites ahead of time, then present the swatches to your child to make the final decision. And, if they are old enough, let them join in on the painting process.

2. Create art projects for the room. What better way to decorate a nursery than with a one-of-a-kind piece of art? Ask your older children to call upon their inner Picasso and get creative. Depending on your style, there are a few ways you can approach this.

Temporary art installations: Does it seem like your little one comes home from school with a stack of new art each day, and your refrigerator no longer has a spare square inch available for display? Consider a cork or magnetic board in the nursery and rotate the artwork, as chosen by your older child. This is also a way for them to feel an ongoing sense of involvement.
Custom children’s art pillow: Don’t just choose just any pillow for lumbar support on your glider, have your child’s artwork turned into a pillow or ask them to decorate a plain pillow with fabric paint. It will be fun and colorful, and your child will feel a sense of pride every time they see it in the room.
Canvas painting: Purchase a small canvas and paint, and have your child create something specific for the nursery, perhaps a family portrait. You can select paint colors to match the room and have your child help choose where to hang the new painting.

3. Decorate toy bin and choose toys. A plain, canvas toy bin is another great item your child can personalize for the nursery. With a set of fabric markers or paint a once-neutral bin can become a welcome addition to any nursery. And don’t forget the toys! Help create a feeling of pride in your older child by having them select a few toys for the new bin. Ask her “What do you think the baby would like to have in the nursery to play with?” Enlist her opinion and watch her confidence grow! (As with the paint swatches, you may want to pre-select some options for this project.)

4. Supervise construction and “inspection.” After you have assembled the crib, changing table or any larger items, have your kids double check your work, so to speak. Provide a toy took kit to help “tighten” the bolts, “hammer” any nails and ensure everything is level. Thank them for helping to make sure they baby will be safe, reminding them that this is an important project that only a big brother or sister can do.

Preparing your children for your new arrival is an important task, but one that can be great fun. Designing the nursery as a family is a project that can bring everyone together and help older children begin to establish their new roles. Not to mention, it gives mom and dad a little help, too!