Can I be honest?
Rosie watched TV this weekend. Not some beautifully animated, critically acclaimed masterpiece, just a familiar, comfort-watch TV show while I made a dent in the laundry pile. For me, it’s about creating a rhythm where rest and imagination live side by side, a space where screen time doesn't compete with play, but complements it in our real, everyday family life.
And honestly? I’m not mad about it.
Because before that, she raked leaves in the garden with me (yes, actual outdoor chores with a miniature rake and maximum enthusiasm), ran her own imaginary vet clinic from under the table, and stirred up a storm in her play kitchen.
I’m learning to embrace slow weekends. The kind where we’re not rushing between commitments. Where a bit of screen time and a lot of imagination can share the same cozy space. And this Autumn? It’s the perfect backdrop for just that.
🍂 Your Autumn Play Mission: "Leaf It to Me"
Here’s one for the tiny thinkers with busy hands and big imaginations. The perfect winter play idea to keep cubby adventures alive.
Mission Brief: You are Nature’s Helpers! Your job is to gather leaves, twigs, and natural treasures to make:
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A leaf crown for your cubby kingdom
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A nature menu for your under-table café
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A potion recipe using bark, berries, and a whisper of imagination
Bonus Challenge: Create a Leaf Library! Each leaf is a “book” with a story. What’s this one called? What adventure does it tell? This activity isn't just fun, it's also a doorway into storytelling and early literacy. Kids begin connecting the dots between imagination and narrative, learning that every leaf can become a chapter in their own leafy tale.
Pair it all with a thermos of hot chocolate and a blanket fort. 🧺 Your cubby just became the coziest HQ for autumn play, perfect for cozy play spaces and creative indoor activities.
Explore our Vintage Camper Cubby | for endless adventures
🎬 TV? Yes Please. But Make It Nostalgic.
When it’s time to wind down (or when the weather turns chilly), here are three screen-time picks that feel like a warm hug:
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The Secret Garden (1993) – Slow storytelling, muddy adventures, and big feelings.
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Babe (1995) – A humble farm pig, quiet courage, and charm by the bucketload.
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The Parent Trap (1998) – Camp cabins, sibling hijinks, and a reminder that not all screen time is noisy.
- The Snoopy Show - The adventures of Charlie Brown and Snoopy have been on high rotation in our house lately.
These nostalgic picks balance the calm, cozy vibe that suits winter weekends and lets us all recharge. Watching them together becomes a shared experience and a way to connect across generations through stories of courage, kindness, and a little bit of magic. Think of them as part of a healthy screen time balance, especially after a full day of imaginative play or busy play dates.
Wrap-up: Let’s Ditch “Busy = Better”
I want to normalise weekends that aren’t packed with events. Where our little humans lead the play, get messy, giggle endlessly, then curl up for a cuddle without guilt.
And if your cubby turns into a vet surgery, a reading nook, or a cinema via a laptop screen? Even better.
Here’s to messy floors, quiet joy, and one more cuddle before bedtime. Whether you're building an indoor fort or crafting winter activities for kids, let’s make memories that matter.
FAQs
1. What is a table cubby? A table cubby is a fabric playhouse designed to fit over your dining or coffee table — like our Space Station Table Tent. It creates an instant imaginative space, perfect for indoor play ideas.
2. Can screen time still be positive? Absolutely. It’s all about balance. Pairing meaningful shows with hands-on, creative indoor activities makes for a well-rounded day.
3. How do I keep kids engaged indoors during winter? Embrace indoor cubby play, seasonal play ideas like leaf crafts, and reading books keep their imaginations buzzing.
4. What if I don’t have a garden for outdoor play? Bring nature inside! Collect leaves on a walk, set up sensory trays, or do winter crafts for kids within the cubby. We lived in an apartment for the first 6 years of Rosie's life!
5. How do Petite Maison Play products support indoor play? Our cubbies transform any table into a magical world. They’re screen-free, mess-free, and fuel endless imaginative play, especially in winter.
As one mum recently shared: “It’s the first thing my daughter runs to every morning — her cubby becomes a bakery, a castle, and a hideout, all before breakfast.” Our cubbies transform any table into a magical world.