Homes Fit for a Kid

People used to dream of living in a home fit for a king. Today, many buyers are increasingly looking for homes that are fit for a kid. Though parents still have the final word on what new home they buy, children can have an impact on that decision.

Children's rooms in model homes are taking on a new look. Forget the blue walls and cowboy prints of little boys past or the florals and pastels of little girls' rooms. Today's look features bold colors and a huge range of decorating ideas. The emphasis is on themes that appeal to kids--movies, sports, theater and nature are among the starting points.

Builders are finding new ways of marketing space to draw on this trend. A "children's retreat" or "teen suite" has become an increasingly common offering.

Of course, what you're really talking about here is just some extra space. The specialized kids rooms just as easily could be used for an upstairs family room, a computer room or anything else you might need. What's new is the idea of marketing toward the kids.

The once-popular "in-law suite" in some homes is also getting a new name. Today you might be more likely to find that space being described as the perfect accommodation for a nanny.

If you're looking at homes already occupied by children, take a look at the back yard and you might also be surprised. Forget the rickety, old metal swing sets you may have played on as a child. Today's equipment is going upscale. Though backyards are growing increasingly smaller, parents seem willing to spend more and more on play sets that are growing larger and far more elaborate.

Childlife, Inc., which has been making children's play sets since 1945, says its prices now range from $650 to more than $3,000. In addition to traditional swings and slides, its backyard equipment includes accessories such as a play telescope, a wavy bridge, a climbing ramp and a $99 communications system that allows kids in the Childlife tree house to talk to those on the ground.

Creative Playthings advertises play sets starting as low as $249, but prices can quickly climb as you customize the play systems. Among the add-ons Creative Playthings offers are a skybox play deck, a spiral slide, a rock climbing wall, a clubhouse and a fireman's pole.

The trend toward larger homes, an increase in disposable income and the move toward "cocooning" are among the reasons cited for the new emphasis on children in home building and design. Many parents, short on time to spend, also are more willing to spend money in an effort to keep their kids happy.