Taming the Toys: Parenting Tips for Toy Organization & Tidying Up

In the quest to conquer the ever-growing mountain of toys, a strategic approach not only restores order to your home but also reinvigorates your child's interest in their playthings.

Let’s Go on a Toy Taming Safari 

Attention, parents, guardians, and keepers of the toy trove! We're about to embark on a wild adventure through the dense jungle of playtime. Our mission? To tame the beasts of toy clutter and make your child's play areas serene savannahs where imagination can run free, unhindered by the chaos of a disorganization.

 Toy Rotation

Enter the concept of toy rotation, a practice that not only maintains order but fosters attention and prevents overwhelm in your young explorers.

In the wilds of the playroom, toys can take turns hibernating or migrating to the play shelves. Rotating toys brings more depth and focus to play. It's ideal to have some toys nestled away in storage while others shine in playtime's spotlight, ensuring every toy has its moment to spark imagination.

The toy room, with its mountains of plush critters, shelves of figurines, a floor full of mini vehicles, and labyrinth of LEGO, often resembles a jungle of jumbled chaos. Pillars of building blocks become miniature skylines, while forgotten action figures wage epic battles beneath the bed. As in any vibrant ecosystem, balance is key. Too many toys out at once depletes your child’s resources of attention, independence, and emotional regulation.

• Assess and Categorize Toys: Start by taking inventory of your toys. Categorize them based on type, theme, educational value, and your child's current interests. This initial step helps create a balanced rotation that stimulates different learning and play areas.
• Create a Rotation Schedule: Based on the number of toys and categories, decide on a realistic rotation schedule that works for your family. This could be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. The key is consistency and ensuring each set of toys offers a variety of play options.
• Involve Your Child: If your child is old enough, involve them in the rotation process. This can be an opportunity for them to express what toys they've missed playing with and to learn about decision-making and organization.
• Evaluate and Adjust: Pay attention to how your child interacts with the rotated toys. You may need to adjust the number of toys that are out, the types of toys that being consistently used (indicating those that should always be available), and whether certain items may be regularly ignored (indicating it is time to donate them). Likewise, observe for signs of boredom or disinterest, which might mean adjusting the frequency of rotations.
• Storage: For the toys that are "hibernating" and not currently in use, invest in storage solutions that keep them organized, clean, and out of sight. Designate a closet, attic space, or under a bed to keep them tucked away. Keeping toys stored by category or rotation groups in labeled bins is a helpful strategy to make finding and swapping toys easy.

Like a refreshing rain, a toy rotation system breathes new life into forgotten treasures; by keeping only a select few toys accessible and rotating them regularly, each toy feels new again, reducing the need for constant new purchases and keeping clutter at bay while encouraging focus and emotional regulation.

Rotating toys sets the stage for children to discover old friends in new contexts, sparks their creativity, and teaches them to care for and value their belongings. It also gives parents the gift of a more serene home, free from the disarray of too many toys clamoring for attention at once.

Play Zones

Designating specific play zones within your home is more than just a way to prevent toys from spreading. It's a strategy that enhances your child's play experience.

Transforming your home into a series of play zones is akin to designing distinct ecosystems that are thriving with their own forms of activity. Just as the wild offers different habitats - the waterhole, the grasslands, and the jungle, each attracting unique species and interactions- your home can host diverse play ecosystems, too; whether it's a cozy reading nook, a vibrant arts and crafts shelf, or a dramatic play corner, these zones create inviting spaces for exploration and creativity, fostering your child's development.

• A quiet book nook corner becomes the nourishing watering hole of stories and knowledge, a serene spot for a relaxing read to wash away stress and shore up emotional regulation. A quiet book nook can include more than just books. You can add a basket of calming sensory toys, plush friends, quiet music, audio stories, or figurines to be book characters.

• An arts and crafts area is like a vibrant grassland, where creativity blossoms and ideas roam free like the herds of wildebeest under the open sky. Giving children open access to art supplies can significantly enrich their developmental journey, offering many benefits extending far beyond the canvas, empowering children to become confident, creative thinkers unafraid to express themselves and explore the world around them. An art zone can be a mobile cart, a cabinet, a dedicated shelf, or even a basket. It's great to put art supplies next to a table or open floor area where the materials can be laid out and easily used.

• An open-ended building zone can be like a lively jungle, a dynamic area full of life! This type of open-ended play zone can be filled with a variety of toy “species” like building toys, figurines, dolls, vehicles, and more to encourage intermingling of open-ended play materials. Much like the dynamic interactions seen in the intricate web of life, a mix of open-ended toys will bring diversity to playtime fun, and your little explorers will astound you with their imaginations.

• Mobile play zones are another option for small spaces or for kids that like to be where you are. Movable carts, baskets, totes, wagons, or portable organizers can be their own themed zone, carry essential supplies for various activities, or hold open-ended toys that your kids like to mix in with other areas (like using blocks as food in the play kitchen). These mobile play stations are like nomadic animals, migrating from one zone to another, ensuring that your home is a fertile ground for exploration and growth.

This dynamic landscape of stationary zones and mobile resources fosters an organized, yet wildly engaging environment where children can embark on new adventures daily, right in the heart of their own home.

A Well-Ordered World

Just as animals in the wild have places they call home, when it comes to organization and storage, every toy needs a place.

The organization of toys works best when there is a deliberate and strategic system that fosters self-sufficiency while allowing for the natural ebb and flow of childlike whimsy. From various sized bins and totes to small containers and open shelf displays, there are many choices for containing and displaying toys. 

Begin by categorizing toys based on their type or use, such as figures, building blocks, art supplies, dolls, or vehicles. This method not only makes it easier for children to find what they're looking for but also aids in teaching them how to sort and classify different items, a valuable organizational skill. Dumping toys all together in a large toy chest often results in overwhelm and broken toys.

When talking with other parents and educators, a top choice for toy storage was clear and labeled bins or open shelves (for larger items or collections). Shelves and bins can be labeled with photos, drawings, or words (if children are readers). Being able to easily see what’s available and where to put things away is a game-changer for getting kids to play independently and help with clean-up.

Whatever organizing tools you decide on, remember that it needs to be easy to access and practical for YOUR family. A good organized toy system should set kids up for success by allowing them to easily find and return toys, which encourages them to manage their playthings independently. Teaching your children to keep the home tidy gives them a sense of accomplishment, belonging, and sets the stage for success in life.

Goodnight to Chaos

A nightly tidy-up blitz becomes a family ritual. Implementing a quick nightly toy cleanup routine can transform chaos into order and teach children the value of organization.

Here are three tips to make this process efficient and even enjoyable:

• Make It a Game: Turn cleanup time into a fun challenge. Set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes and see how many toys can be put away before it goes off. You can even play some upbeat music to make it feel like a party. This approach not only makes cleaning up more enjoyable but also teaches children about working within time constraints.
• Establish a Routine: Consistency is key. Make toy cleanup a predictable part of the evening routine, like brushing your teeth. When children know to expect it, there's less resistance, and it becomes a natural part of their day.
• Involve Children in the Process: Encourage children to take part in creating the cleanup routine. Let them decide on rules or the order in which things are done. Involvement gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility, increasing their willingness to participate actively and effectively in the cleanup process.

By adopting these playful yet practical strategies, you do more than just tame the toys; you will create a harmonious environment where toys are enjoyed but not overwhelming, making your home a more peaceful and playful space.

From totes to plush storage bags, discover additional toy organizing options HERE!