When I was a child, some houses on our block seemed to have a magnetic attraction for neighborhood kids. Certain homes were simply more fun -- usually for really simple reasons. Maybe they had a Ping-Pong table, a great closet for a fort, or an unfinished basement where you were allowed to draw pictures on the walls. Now that I'm a mother, I want my house to be one of those special places.I like having my children at home, and I want them to like being here. So I've added a few simple elements to create my own fun house. The kids in our neighborhood get a kick out of the swings in my girls' bedrooms, the under-the-stairs fort, and the screened-in porch stocked with art supplies -- cool features that don't cost much but go a long way toward fostering good times and making great memories.
Want to boost the fun factor in your own house? Check out the following ideas from families across the nation.
