As I mentioned in the Playful Learning Spaces Giveaway (and yes, there’s still a little time left to enter) there is a strong impact in a thoughtfully prepared space. If you want your children to be playful, it helps to create an environment that invites children to play. I can think of few invitations to play that are more compelling than a special space like a tent or a hideout. You can set one up, say nothing, and almost instantly you’ll have children dragging blankets and animals in for a jungle tea party, darting in and out as they dream up dramatic adventures, or cozied up inside with a good book.