How to keep your kids toys organized once playtime is over.
Every day feels more or less the same. Each day involves a lot of activities, arts and crafts and therefore a lot of cleaning. Wesleigh is generally pretty good about putting her toys away, but sometimes they don’t land as neatly as I’d like them to so I’ve implemented a few ways to keep her toys organized.
Since I mostly care that Wesleigh is making the effort to maintain her space and put her toys away when she’s finished playing rather than keep everything perfectly tidy, I can’t complain. After all, she’s not even 3 years old.
I’ll let you in on a few of the simple ways myself, and a handful of other blogger mama’s have found success in keeping a playroom organized.
Implement an Organized System
Baskets, Bins and cubbies are your best friend. I’m the biggest advocate for a storage system, specifically one that uses baskets because they are a great solution to keep items out of sight. Yet, close enough to access when needed. They’re perfectly suited for children as well – whether that’s pulling toys out by the handful or cleaning up and putting them back where they belong. To keep it simple, both for parents and children, keep your kids toys organized by sorting items by type and grouping like items together.
“Be Practical – Kids will be kids and their rooms won’t stay clean and organized forever. Organization systems will assure that their things won’t get lost easily and they have a safe space to play. It will also encourage them to clean up after themselves and maintain clean habits.” Paula, Thanks Mommy Blog
Purge Often
It can be easy to go overboard with toys, between birthdays, holidays and spending so much time at home, new toys and games seem to make their way into our homes at a rapid rate. I value sustainability and quality over quantity. To ensure your child doesn’t get overwhelmed with the amount of options they may have at their fingertips. Keep kids toys organized by removing the clutter.
- Broken toys or toys missing pieces that you no longer have a use for – throw away.
- Worn out but not damaged toys, consider donating.
- If a toy is no longer age appropriate or has not seen the light of day in far too long, sell or donate it. Special keepsake items, you could save and display it on a shelf.
- Here’s another tip, involve your little one in the process. I purge through clothing and other household items at least once a season so my daughter is familiar with the clean out and make room process.
“Being intentional about what toys and activities you choose to make available to your child can change their world! By choosing simple things like blocks or pattern shapes you can encourage transformation and imagination that helps your child grow. The fact that they can also be used in many areas of play and creation cuts down on clutter!” Steph LeBlanc, The Inspired Mrs. L
Toy Storage Solutions
In an effort to ensure our family room doesn’t turn into a preschool, we keep a wicker storage trunk filled with books, games, costumes and toys. We spend so much time in our family room, having these toys within an arms-reach comes in handy, especially when I’m preparing meals or flipping a load of laundry. This trunk is the perfect solution to store toys in a practical and sophisticated way. If you don’t have a designated play room and instead, have toys stored in a few rooms in the house, a storage ottoman or bench is a great alternative to concealed soft storage.
“You have to make a big mess to get it all clean. When I’m organizing, I pull everything out and group items together. Then I can put everything back in a more organized way. It’s my process, but it looks like a disaster at first lol!” Misty, Life Between The Dishes
Toy Rotation
Between holidays, birthdays and a stay at home order, it’s easy to pull out every toy to keep your child entertained. Especially, when all those toys are available and accessible to your child. In following the Montessori’s minimalist approach, display fewer objects within reach. Toddlers who are offered fewer toys engage meaningfully with the objects, spending more time exploring versus toddlers who are offered dozens of toys. To that, limit how many of each type of toy there is out at a given time. Rotate these toys to not overwhelm your child by keeping certain toys out on certain days. Watch as your child deeply engages with these toys rather than grabbing the newest shiny object after a few short minutes.
“My best tip for toy organization is Toy Rotation, which basically means removing some of the toys to a place where your child can’t access them and periodically switching out those toys with the ones they currently play with. I’ve used several different methods to do this throughout the years including placing toys in a plastic bin, using fabric bins on a closet top shelf, and a fabric bin organizer shelf in our basement. I currently use a locked closet to house our toy rotation system. My kids love it because it feels like Christmas when we switch out the toys and they discover old favorites. I love that my kids’ rooms are easier to clean and maintain!” Crystal Garman, Simply Full of Delight
Coordinate and Zone Your Space
To keep your playroom organized and efficient, create different play zones, or areas. Pick themes of play your child enjoys and plan your room accordingly.
- Calm Reading Nook
- Messy Arts & Crafts Zone
- Encourage sensory, tactile play with various materials.
- Suggested Toys: Kinetic Sand, Water Beads, Playdough, Rainbow Pasta
- Play Zone
- This is where the building, imaginary play and engagement happens.
- Suggested Toys: Legos/Magnatiles, Bricks, Musical instruments
