Let’s be realistic….with kids come along tons and tons of toys. It is inevitable. Despite every effort to keep toys to the minimum, it can be overwhelming and organizing them even more challenging. Toys end up everywhere, scattered all over the house and will make you feel frustrated. We all have been there…..and we all have stepped on some toy, at least once in our lifetime.
Here are some tips how you can keeps toys organized and also keep your sanity:
- TOY PURGING
Toys seem to sneak into your house. You wake up one day and realize, that toys have taken over your house. Therefore, it is important that every few months, you go through toys and together with your child decided which toys can be parted from. Throw away any broken toys or toys which have missing parts. Explain that toys no longer played with, can be donated and make another child happy.
Your child’s involvement in the decision process, helps them understand the importance of decision making. It will be difficult, but will get easier as you go along.
- TOY ROTATION SYSTEM
Keep toys hidden. Refrain from opening all new toys received all at once. Store some away until it’s time to take them out, in a few months time. Rotate toys every couple of months, that way they feel they have new toys to be played with.
Use under the bed storage solution to hide away toys.
- GET RID OF BULKY CONTAINERS
As with other items in the house, packaging takes up a lot of space. Items such as puzzles and small board games can easily be taken out of the packaging and put into ziplock bags or pouches. You can cut out the puzzle image or game instructions and save it into the ziplock bag.
- GROUP LIKE ITEMS TOGETHER
Sort toys and group like items together to make piles. Put each type of toy into a separate bins and label, label, label. Use labels with pictures and words. This will help your child to start associating the picture with the word.
- ORGANIZING DIFFERENT TOYS
Store barbies dolls and accessories in shoe organizers. You can also use these type of organizers for small cars.
Place stuffed animals in large bins or hammocks. If your child is a lego fan, you can put in bins and colour code the parts.
If you are thinking of setting up a craft table, choose a table that has storage underneath it. It helps keep the area tidy.
- ORGANIZING BOOKS
There are many nice and unconventional ways how to store books. Ideally books are left within reach of children. It would entice them to go through books and encourage reading.
Do not feel discouraged, no matter how many toys your child has. You will be surprised at how much you can downsize. You will definitely find toys with missing pieces and others that come with take out meal, which you can easily get rid off.
Love
Strugglingmum xxxx