Toys. Whether you’re like me and consider them a necessary evil or love every single one, I think anyone with kids can agree that they tend to take over the house. While I want my home to be a place where my children can enjoy their stuff and have fun, I also want a restful, clean living room that isn’t littered with Disney princesses and blocks. And the good news is that you can create order out of toy chaos, leaving you with a toy organization system that’s easy to maintain.
1. Purge
First of all, empty every bin, basket, and box. Then purge. Be ruthless. I cannot stress this enough. Throw away any broken toys or ones that are missing parts. If there are multiples of the same toy, set aside the favorite and donate the rest. I recently discovered my son had 5 dump trucks, which I don’t think even Bob the Builder needs. Consider whether the toy is developmentally and/or age appropriate. If your child has outgrown it, get rid of it (or store it for younger siblings).
2. Simplify
In his book Simplicity Parenting, Kim John Payne advocates for fewer, better quality toys, which in turn, creates a simplified environment that a child can thrive in. Too many choices are overwhelming. And when it comes to toys, less is more. I try to limit the “junk” toys that every kid seems to acquire and the ones that need batteries in favor of more basic toys that encourage fine and gross motor skills and imaginative play. Dolls, Duplos, dress up, magnetic tiles, and Matchbox cars are current favorites with my preschooler and toddler. We also have special “rainy day” toys like our fort building kit and marble run set.
3. Zone
One of the easiest ways to keep toys tidy is to have zones for them. And you don’t need a dreamy Montessori-style playroom to do this. Decide where you want your child’s toys to “live.” This can be one room or three. For almost four years, we didn’t have a playroom, so I created zones in the living room and dining room for toys that weren’t kept in the kids’ bedrooms. The trick is to put like toys with like toys, making cleanup easier and much faster since even my toddler knows where to put his cars after he’s done playing with them.
4. Hide
Few things get my neat freak blood pressure up like toys littering every level surface. I’m also a huge fan of inventive toy storage solutions that don’t scream “I have two kids!” A little toy organization goes a long way. Both of my kids have an Ikea Kallax in their room; we use the top cubes for books and large toys and have cute bins on the bottom row for smaller toys. Clear bins that can be stored in a closet or on shelves are ideal, but get creative. If possible, use what you already have. I’ve put musical instruments in the drawers of my TV console, trucks and finger puppets in an ottoman in the living room, and stuffed animals in a big basket. For Legos, this storage bag is genius and can easily be stored in a closet or under the bed. And if you’re still struggling to find places to store all of your child’s toys, you probably need to revisit steps 1 and 2.
5. Rotate
I was skeptical about creating a toy rotation system, but after I recently packed away half of my kids’ toys in preparation for moving and witnessed their Christmas morning-esque joy when they were able to open those boxes at the new house, I realized there is something to cycling toys in and out. This goes for books and puzzles as well. Buy a large bin, put in half of the toys, then rotate every few weeks. Watch to see what your child actually plays with; if it’s passed over, get rid of it.
I’ve found that doing this every 6 months or so works best for my family. Yes, it required some work on my part the first time around, but it gets easier. And the effort is always worth it when my kids have toys they truly love and play with and I have my living room.
Leave a comment and tell us about your favorite tips for managing toys!
