Transform Your Child’s Play Space with Myriam Sandler’s New Book, “Playful by Design”
Myriam Sandler, a renowned expert in childhood play and design, is set to release her highly anticipated book, Playful by Design, on May 13. This practical guide, published by Harper Celebrate, offers parents actionable advice on creating play spaces that inspire creativity, independence, and joy in children.
Sandler, the founder of the popular parenting platform Mothercloud, combines vibrant visuals and step-by-step instructions to help families declutter, organize, and design play areas that encourage self-directed, open-ended play. Her approach emphasizes not just setting up a system but maintaining it over time, ensuring long-term benefits for both parents and children.
In an exclusive statement, Sandler shared her motivation for writing the book. “the single moast common theme I’ve noticed is parents genuinely want to encourage more play at home, but often feel overwhelmed and intimidated,” she explained. “Year after year, kids are surrounded by toys they barely play with, accumulating gifts from birthdays, holidays and well-meaning family and friends.”
Sandler’s book is more than just a design guide; it’s a call to rethink how we approach playtime. By focusing on intentional design and thoughtful association, she empowers parents to create environments where children can thrive. Whether you’re dealing with a mountain of toys or struggling to keep play areas functional, Playful by Design provides the tools and inspiration to make lasting changes.
For parents looking to foster creativity and independence in their children, this book is a must-read. With its release just around the corner,now is the perfect time to start reimagining your child’s play space. Pre-order your copy today and take the first step toward a more playful, stress-free home.
Parenting young children often feels like a juggling act, especially when it comes to managing the chaos of toys and play spaces. While social media feeds are filled with picture-perfect playrooms that seem too good to be true, the reality for most families is far from Instagram-worthy. One author is on a mission to help parents bridge the gap between design and functionality, offering practical solutions that don’t require a massive budget or endless hours of supervision.
“I’m very honest with my community about what our reality looks like most of the time, but finding that balance between design and functionality has become a personal obsession,” she shared. Her goal is to empower families to create spaces that inspire autonomous play without the pressure of perfection.
Whether it’s a dedicated playroom or a cozy corner in the kitchen, she believes that every family can cultivate an environment where children feel free to explore and parents can enjoy a little more peace of mind. “I want families to feel confident that they can inspire independent play without spending a fortune or needing more space,” she added.
One of the key strategies she emphasizes is the power of simplicity. “During the writing process, I realized how some of the simplest strategies were having the biggest impact on my daily life,” she explained. for instance, implementing a toy rotation system has been a game-changer. “That one strategy alone forced me to become more intentional about the toys we keep, donate, or discard, breaking the cycle of needless clutter. It has completely transformed how my children play and how we maintain our play spaces.”
By focusing on intentionality and practicality,she hopes to provide families with tools that make parenting a little easier. “I’m excited to share these practical, life-changing strategies with other families!” she said.
Her approach is a refreshing departure from the curated, unrealistic images often seen online. Instead, she champions real-life solutions that acknowledge the messy, beautiful chaos of raising young children. From small changes like reorganizing toys to creating designated play areas, her advice is rooted in the belief that even the simplest adjustments can make a world of difference.
For parents overwhelmed by the clutter and constant demands of parenting, her message is clear: you don’t need a Pinterest-perfect home to raise happy, independent kids.Sometimes, all it takes is a little creativity and a lot of heart.
Mark Your Calendars: “Playful by Design” Arrives May 13, 2025
Excitement is building for the release of Playful by Design, a highly anticipated book set to hit shelves on May 13, 2025. Whether you’re a fan of innovative design or simply love a good read, this is one title you won’t want to miss. The best part? You can already secure your copy, as preorders are now live at all major book retailers.
This upcoming release promises to be a game-changer,blending creativity with practicality in a way that captivates readers. While the specifics of the book’s content remain under wraps, the buzz surrounding it suggests it will be a must-have for anyone interested in design, creativity, or personal growth.
“Playful by Design is slated to hit bookshelves on May 13, 2025, and is available for preorder now, wherever books are sold.”
Why preorder? Beyond the convenience of having the book delivered straight to your doorstep on release day, preordering often supports authors and publishers in gauging interest and planning print runs. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure you’re among the first to dive into what’s sure to be a thought-provoking and inspiring read.
As the countdown to May 13, 2025, begins, keep an eye out for updates, sneak peeks, and exclusive content related to Playful by Design. Whether you’re a seasoned reader or just looking for your next great book, this release is shaping up to be one of the standout titles of the year.
Don’t wait—head to your favorite bookstore or online retailer today to preorder your copy. Trust us, you’ll want to be part of the conversation when this book finally arrives.
How does the book *Playful by Design* offer practical advice for parents looking to create more intentional play spaces for their children?
Interview with Myriam Sandler: Transforming Play Spaces with Intention and Simplicity
By Archys, Archyde News Editor
As parents, we frequently enough find ourselves overwhelmed by the sheer volume of toys and the chaos of play spaces.Myriam Sandler, founder of Mothercloud and author of the upcoming book Playful by Design, is on a mission to change that. With her expertise in childhood play and design, Sandler offers practical, actionable advice to help families create spaces that inspire creativity, independence, and joy. In this exclusive interview, we dive into her philosophy, her new book, and her vision for reimagining playtime at home.
Archyde: Myriam, thank you for joining us. Your book, Playful by design, is highly anticipated. What inspired you to write it?
Myriam Sandler: Thank you for having me! The inspiration came from years of working with parents and observing a common theme: they genuinely want to encourage more play at home but often feel overwhelmed and intimidated. Year after year, kids are surrounded by toys they barely play with—gifts from birthdays, holidays, and well-meaning family and friends. I wanted to provide a practical guide that empowers parents to declutter, organize, and design play spaces that truly serve their children’s needs.
Archyde: You emphasize “self-directed, open-ended play.” Why is this so important for children?
Myriam sandler: Self-directed play is crucial because it allows children to explore their interests, solve problems, and develop creativity without constant adult intervention. Open-ended play—like building with blocks, drawing, or imaginative role-playing—gives kids the freedom to use their creativity and learn at their own pace. It’s not about following instructions or achieving a specific outcome; it’s about the process of finding.This kind of play fosters independence,resilience,and a love for learning.
Archyde: Many parents feel pressured to create picture-perfect playrooms, especially with the influence of social media.How do you help families move away from that mindset?
Myriam Sandler: I’m very honest with my community about what our reality looks like most of the time. My goal is to help families find a balance between design and functionality without the pressure of perfection. A play space doesn’t have to be Instagram-worthy to be effective. It’s about creating an environment where children feel free to explore and parents can enjoy a little more peace of mind. Whether it’s a dedicated playroom or a cozy corner in the kitchen, every family can cultivate a space that works for them.
Archyde: One of your key strategies is simplicity. Can you share an example of how parents can implement this at home?
Myriam Sandler: Absolutely. One of the simplest yet most impactful strategies is rotating toys. Instead of having all toys accessible at once, curate a smaller selection and rotate them every few weeks. This keeps the play space fresh and exciting without overwhelming children. Another tip is to focus on open-ended toys—items like blocks, art supplies, or dress-up clothes that can be used in multiple ways. These encourage creativity and reduce clutter.
Archyde: Your book is described as more than just a design guide—it’s a call to rethink how we approach playtime. Can you elaborate on that?
myriam Sandler: Absolutely. Playful by Design is about intentionality. It’s not just about setting up a system but maintaining it over time to ensure long-term benefits. I encourage parents to think about how their child’s play space reflects their values and goals.Do you want to foster creativity? Encourage independence? Reduce stress? By designing with intention, you can create an environment that supports those goals. It’s about making small,thoughtful changes that add up to a big impact.
Archyde: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to parents who feel overwhelmed by their current play space?
Myriam Sandler: Start small. You don’t need to overhaul everything at once.Begin by decluttering—remove broken toys, items your child has outgrown, or things they simply don’t play with. then, think about how you can create zones for different types of play, like a reading nook or an art station. involve your child in the process. Let them help choose which toys to keep and how to organize the space. When kids feel ownership over their environment, they’re more likely to engage with it.
Archyde: Your book is set to release on May 13. What do you hope readers will take away from it?
Myriam Sandler: I hope readers feel empowered and inspired.Parenting is hard enough without the added pressure of creating a perfect play space. My goal is to show families that they can create a playful, stress-free home without spending a fortune or needing more space.It’s about making intentional choices that benefit both parents and children. If my book helps even one family feel more confident and less overwhelmed, I’ll consider it a success.
Archyde: Thank you, Myriam, for sharing your insights. We’re excited to see the impact Playful by Design will have on families everywhere.
Myriam Sandler: Thank you! I’m thrilled to share this journey with parents and help them create spaces where their children can thrive.
Pre-order your copy of Playful by Design today and take the first step toward a more playful, stress-free home. Available May 13 from Harper Celebrate.