If you've got kids, you've got toys. Tired of tripping over dolls, trucks, and blocks? Here are some tips on how to organize the toys so that they don't take over your home.
Most parents admit that their kids have too many toys, so the first step is to pare down. When purging toys, divide and conquer by sorting into 3 piles:
1. Damaged: toys that are broken or missing parts (these will be tossed)
2. Outcasts: toys that the kids have outgrown or never really played with in the first place (these will be sent to charity)
3. Favorites: toys that are enjoyed on a regular basis (these stay)
When taking toys to charity, get your children involved. Once they see the value in giving to those less fortunate, they may be more willing to let go.
Toy Storage Tips:
o Having too many toys in the playroom overwhelms kids just as much as parents. You can cut down on excess toys by rotating them. Get a large plastic storage container, label it 'toy library' and place a selection of toys inside it. Put the lid on the container and store it in an out-of-the way place for several months. Every so often, bring out the toy library and exchange the stored toys for other toys that the kids are bored with. The old toys will seem new again and engage the child's interest.
o Organize the toy room in zones: The dress-up zone, the dolls zone, the play kitchen zone, the craft zone, the building block zone, etc. This is the model used to keep kindergarten classrooms organized.
o When it comes to storing toys, traditional wooden toy chests are not very useful. Most kids empty them out and climb in or small toys get all tangled up, damaged and forgotten.
o Use small, clear, open plastic bins (no lids) on shelves and sort toys into similar categories to make finding and tidying up a breeze. Label them with pictures if your child is too young to read. Small, lightweight containers with handles are easier to pull off the shelf.
o Make sure shelves are low (no more than 3 shelves high) so kids can reach their favorite toys. Secure shelving to the wall with brackets to avoid tipping.
o For older children, use plastic freezer bags that zip up to keep small game pieces or puzzle pieces together. (Small children may put the bags over their heads, which could pose a hazard).
o Use hooks or clothing trees to hang dress-up clothes.
o A colourful tackle box with dividers is an ideal way to store small doll accessories on the top and favorite Barbie's on the bottom. Or, use it for Lego kits. Its portability is an added bonus when visiting grandparents or sleeping over at a friend's house.
o Children's books usually don't have spines, so placing them on a bookshelf makes locating favorite books difficult. Solve this problem by storing books in plastic bins with the title of the books facing front.
Tips to Maintain a Tidy Toy Room:
o To keep the toy room tidy, have a 15-minute clean-up time everyday and explain to kids that the alternative is spending a whole Saturday cleaning up. Use a timer and put on some of their favorite music to add an element of novelty.
o Do your part to cut down on toy clutter. Loot bags brought home from birthday parties are usually big clutter culprits. For your child's birthday parties, instead of handing out dollar store items that will end up on the floor, start a trend by giving $5. Gift cards from movie rental or book stores.
o When purchasing toys, choose those that stimulate imagination and creativity so children don't lose interest. Examples: black board, art supplies and paper, instruments, dress-up clothes.
o Request that family members and friends give your children the gift of an experience instead of a toy. This includes taking them to an amusement park, a movie, a concert, or paying for some music or sports lessons.
Take the time to teach your children how to keep their toys organized and the whole family will enjoy the benefits for years to come.
Hellen Buttigieg, CPO®, is a Certified Professional Organizer®, life coach, TV Host and owner of We Organize U. She is a professional speaker and the author of the book Organizing Outside The Box. For tips on organizing your home, your office and your life, visit http://www.WeOrganizeU.com and sign up for Hellen's free newsletter. To contact Hellen or for information on hiring a We Organize U organizing specialist, call 905-829-2219 or e-mail info@WeOrganizeU.com
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