Learning how to organize toys is a difficult task for many children. Streamline toy storage and teach your child how to be an effective toy organizer.
Combat Toy Clutter
Children cannot keep a bedroom or toy room clean and organized when they are overwhelmed with toys. Help your child by storing a large percentage of his toys where they cannot be accessed regularly. Plastic storage containers can be used to store excess toys in the basement, attic or garage.
Your child should still have access to his favorite toys. Each week, let your child trade some toys with the toys that are in storage. This way, he will regularly have different toys to play with and still be able to develop his toy organization skills. This is especially helpful if you have a small living space that is quickly taken over by toys.
Utilize Toy Storage Containers
The best toy storage containers are medium-sized plastic containers. Toys of similar themes can all be stored in one container to keep them organized. For example, all wooden train pieces can go in one container and all LEGOs can go in another. Depending on how many of one type of toy your child has, you may need more than one container for something. Sticking to medium-sized containers keeps the toys manageable.
Stack containers in your child’s bedroom or toy room. Shelves are helpful, but the containers can also be stacked on the floor. Under bed storage containers are convenient and free up floor space.
Avoid large toy boxes. Toys tend to get jumbled and disorganized in large toy boxes. They can also be a safety hazard for small children who may shut themselves inside. If you do use a large toy box, be sure it does not latch from the outside and that it is properly vented when the lid is closed.
Establish Cleaning Rituals
With a smaller number of toys to manage, children's organization skills can easily be developed by establishing cleaning rituals. Set a specific time of day to clean all toys off the floor. A daily cleaning ritual should not take more than five minutes.
Toys will stay organized if they are placed back into their proper storage container. Labels on the outside of the container will help your child remember which toys go in which containers. Pictures can be used for children that aren’t yet reading.
A weekly, more thorough cleaning can be done for children who have trouble getting all the toys organized and tidied daily. This is also the time to sort out toys that are no longer played with or broken and to trade toys with those that are in storage.
For tips on how to combat toy clutter when it has already become overwhelming read Clutter Solution: Toy Organization by Debbie DeSprit.
