I'm a single mum & sick of soft play costs so transformed my shed into a mini one – it's going to save me a fortune

The Sun

03-06-2025

WITH two kids, a trip to the soft play can be pricey.
So, instead of having to fork out, single mum Liv decided to transform her shed into a mini one - after coming across secondhand soft play equipment being sold on Facebook Marketplace.
5
5
5
5
And she took to TikTok to document the process, as she admitted: "You're probably thinking I'm absolutely nuts.
"I'm a single mum with very little time and energy. And what do I choose to do with the very little time and energy I have?
"Turn my shed into a mini soft play!"
She admitted the soft play bits did "need a good clean", and said that while they still have "a few marks", they;ll "do the job just the same".
Liv used some soft floor mats, and said she wanted to add some balls into the bottom.
"I'm probably gonna regret it when balls end up all over my garden, but sure," she laughed.
She attached some sensory boards to the wall, and said she was going to do a "grand reveal" when more balls arrived for the floor.
"It's nearly done, and I'm so pleased with it!" Liv concluded.
And people in the comments section were quick to praise Liv for the epic makeover - with many admitting they were going to try a similar transformation themselves.
"As a childminder I think this is great!! I'll be clearing my shed out at the weekend," one wrote.
I DIY-ed a 'professional' level kids' birthday cake for less than £25 using Amazon & eBay buys - I didn't bake a thing
"Omg I can't wait to get housed to do this," another said.
"Brilliant idea, mum!"
"Love this idea - my autistic son would love this," a third commented.
"Oh this is a great idea!" someone else said.
"I was going to put soft play bits in my son's bedroom but I think in a shed would be better now I've seen this," another wrote.
"Brill job! So much ceiling space, could have things dangling down, I know my kids would love that," someone else added.
More parenting hacks
IF you want to make your life easier as a first-time mum, here's nine hacks you won't want to miss.
1. Routine Charts
Create visual charts for daily routines. Use pictures and stickers to make them engaging for younger children.
2. Meal Planning
Plan meals a week in advance to save time and reduce stress. Involve your children in meal prep to teach them cooking skills.
3. Toy Rotation
Keep a portion of toys stored away and rotate them periodically. This keeps playtime fresh and exciting without the need for constant new purchases.
4. DIY Cleaning Solutions
Make child-safe cleaning solutions using vinegar and baking soda. It's effective and keeps harsh chemicals away from little hands.
5. Time-Out Jar
Create a time-out jar filled with calming activities written on slips of paper. When emotions run high, children can pick an activity to help them settle down.
6. Educational Apps
Utilise educational apps and websites to make screen time productive. Look for ones that offer interactive learning in subjects your child is interested in.
7. Command Centre
Set up a family command centre with a calendar, key hooks, and a bulletin board. It helps keep everyone organised and aware of daily schedules.
8. Emergency Kit
Keep a small emergency kit in the car with essentials like snacks, water, first aid supplies, and a change of clothes. It's a lifesaver for unexpected situations.
9. Label Everything
Use labels for clothes, school supplies, and lunch boxes. It makes it easier to keep track of belongings, especially in shared spaces like schools.
"Love this, well done mama!" another commented.
"That's class I want another shed now!" someone else said.
As another wrote: "We did this two years ago in our wendy house for the boys.
"Still going strong and the boys love it."
5