If you have children you probably have accumulated more toys over the holidays and your home is looking like Santa’s work shop after a busy shift. After stepping on and being surrounded by toys, wouldn’t it be nice to wave the magic wand over the mess and watch it disappear. I think it’s time to bring order to Toyland.
There are many kinds of organizing systems on the market. Toy boxes, special containers or desks for Lego, storage systems, custom baskets and bins are only a few. If budget isn’t a concern then these are a great option. I’m not up on the latest and greatest toys (wait till I have Grandbabies!) but when my children were small they loved arts and crafts, Barbie, My Little Pony, Sheera and Strawberry Shortcake…many small items with lots of little accessories. We had a large deep toy box filled with games and toys but the small toys just got lost at the bottom. It was almost daily that we saw the toy box get completely emptied so it was time to find a solution!
Bubble wrap has enjoyed helping many families organize their playrooms. We have discovered a few simple and inexpensive ways to bring organization to the room. Here are a couple of ideas for you:
First it is a good idea to rotate your toys, books and games. Children typically play with 20% of their toys 80% of the time. Store 1/3 to ½ of the toys and switch them out every three to four months. This approach will make the toys feel like new again and keep the kids more interested. Best of all it will give you more living space.
Storing Small Toys
I used to love stepping on the little accessories. Ouch!! Here are a few ideas for storing action figures, doll clothes, accessories, puzzles, Lego’s, toy cars, game pieces, etc. Make sure you label each storage container in writing and a picture of what each one is to contain. This will help your child understand where each toy is to go which will make clean up so much easier.
- Zip lock bags – these are great to keep Lego’s, game and puzzle pieces and small accessories together.
- Plastic shoe boxes with lids – purchase these at dollar stores or any large discount chains. Each box will store a specific type of toy in it so they can grab what ever they are in the mood to play with.
- Plastic Pretzel containers – Been to Costco lately!! After you have finished with the goodies wash the container out and remove the label. These can store a lot of small items.
- Storage containers for nails and screws – these are inexpensive and can be found at most hardware stores. They are great for storing small accessories, crayons, and small toys.
- Small plastic jars – recycle your plastic peanut butter and mayonnaise containers and convert them to storage. Baby wipe containers also work well. Wash and remove the labels and store crayons, small accessories, Lego’s, art supplies, etc.
- Over-the-door shoe storage – this works well for small accessories, stuffed animals, craft supplies and other small toys. Plastic shoe holders with clear pouches allow children to see what is inside each section.
- Door wall rack systems – these are great for storing videos, dvd’s, and small containers. You can buy each shelf seperately (different heights and depths of baskets) and adjust them to any height. Wait for the sales but these are very inexpensive.
Storing Large Toys
Stuffed animals, dolls, toy cars and trucks all take up so much space. My daughter Dayna used to have all her stuffed animals on her bed and each one had a specific spot. Making her bed was always an experience and quite time consuming! If you don’t keep these on a bed or on shelves a toy box is a good option but here are some budget conscious ideas:
- Laundry baskets/hampers – they come in all different sizes and colors. Some have wheels so its’ easy to move from one room to another. Have one for stuffed animals, another for toy trucks, etc. Mesh hampers also work well.
- Large plastic storage containers – these also come in many colors and sizes. Since most come with lids it makes it easy to stack the containers. Remember to label each in writing and a picture of the contents!
- Plastic containers to fit under the bed – Make use of this space! It’s best if the container has wheels so that your child can easily remove and roll it back underneath the bed just as soon as she is finished.
- Milk crates – these will stack well (if not too full) and are easy for kids to carry. If you don’t like the color of the box then spray paint it to your desired color.
- Cloth Bags – cloth bags with a zipper or drawstring work great. A series of pegs or hooks on the wall can hold the storage bags. Make sure to hang the hooks at a level that the children can easily reach.
Children who have responsibilities with household chores grow up to be more independent and self confident. They like the feeling that they are contributing to the household. Play time should be enjoyable and not a stressful experience for parent and child, so have fun.
These tips should help you with toy clutter but unless you have the magic wand…“Be careful where you step!”
“Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing.” ~Phyllis Diller
