WAYS ON HOW TO ORGANIZE TOYS

DESIGNATED AREA(S)

Everything should have a "home"create designated areas for toys and where they are to be stored when not in use

Common area(s), playroom or kids room, specific closet or drawer

Quality Control

Less is more Discard broken toys or toys/games that are missing all of the pieces Have your child help determine what they have outgrown and can donate Set purchasing limits - check to see what they already have before you buy more

CATEGORIZE & STORE LIKE ITEMS

Collect all games (from the entire house) and decide what designated area is their "home" Do the same with all other categories: Arts/Crafts, Books/Education, Technology, Dress-Up, etc

Storing Solutions

Once you have determined the items you are keeping and their new home decide if any organizing products would be helpful

You can repurpose things from your home (shoe boxes, reusable bags) or purchase items - bins, baskets, etc

Label

This will depend on your child's age and where in the house these toys have been designated to live - did you use clear bins/baskets you can easily see in or are they hidden from sight?

Visual labels for younger kids with images is helpful

Make It Accessible

Determine how accessible you want toys to be - lower for littles, higher for bigger kids

Don't want them with full access to glitter and glue - determine where adult supervised toys should be placed

Keep It Simple

Don't overwhelm kids with too many choices - keep out their favorites and add a few new things quarterly Don't overcrowd the space or everyone will feel overwhelmed and it will get messy fast Rotating toys can be a useful solution

Get Them Involved

Once they are old enough get them involved in the purging and organizing process - it's not your job to manage all of this for them, it is your job to help teach them how to enjoy these gifts, treat their space and yours with respect and be accountable

Give Yourself Grace

Each parent is in a different season with their kid(s) - their interests will change as will their toys - reduce as much stress by creating a routine to declutter throughout the year

Create quarterly calendar maintenance reminders to tackle a space

Enjoy

Get your designated areas locked down, create easy and functional systems to maintain and then get on the floor, sit at the table, put on that dress-up crown and have fun!!!