Why children create secret hiding places at home, according to psychology

A blanket over two chairs. A space behind the sofa. A corner under the dining table. A cardboard box turned into a “house” that nobody else is allowed to enter. For some children, an ordinary corner of the house can quickly become a secret place. They may tell parents, “You can't come in,” give the place a name, take toys inside or simply sit there alone for a while. To adults, it can look like another game. But research on children's secret hiding places suggests these spaces can also give children a sense of ownership, privacy, safety and control over a small part of their environment.Why do children create secret hiding places?Children do not always need a large or elaborate space. A blanket, bedsheet, cardboard box or an unused corner can be enough. A 2016 study looked at how preschool children created their own spaces.