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PaperclipPerfector  1mo ago (text post)   2084 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for August 24, 2025

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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We're about to close escrow on a house. What are some fun things you can do with a house you own that you can't do with a house you rent? I'm specifically looking for ideas that small kids (ages 2-7) will find fun.

As another commenter said, I think painting or wallpaper is going to be your best bet because this is the easiest DIY project and the most easily fixable if your kids make a mess. Other DIY projects are, while satisfying, not exactly fun.

Landscaping is a potentially good option, but I would have found gardening/landscaping as boring as watching paint dry when I was a kid.

Other ideas:

  • Wall mounting a TV
  • Pillow fort with wall hooks installed
  • Putting glow in the dark stars up on the kids ceiling
  • Installing new LED lights in the kids room (adhesive strip lighting is really cool even for adults lol)
  • Adding dimmers or other custom lighting. Be careful if you're going to do any electrical/outlet work.
  • Installing shelves
  • Setting up a woodworking/art studio if you now have a dedicated space or garage

Reading this list, I think the custom lighting would be a really fun one for the kids.

Also, you should ask ChatGPT!

Kids love digging holes. Whether that counts as actual landscaping, however...

As for an actual constructive suggestion, a treehouse or some other type of outdoors semi-permanent structure that would be impractical to install at a rental.

Treehouse is a great call

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