Toys!  TOYS ARE EVERYTHING.  TOYS ARE EVERYWHERE.  You step on little pieces of LEGO at night. Sparks in your eyes. Trip or fall day and night. If you feel overwhelmed, this post is for you.  Toy clutter is every parent’s struggle.  Don’t get discouraged as there is a solution in just few steps. Toy organization is one of the biggest challenges of parenthood.  Every parent is looking for the best toy storage ideas and great storage solutions.  There is no perfect place for toys.  Decide what is ideal for your family.  I limited toys to the kids’ bedroom and some in a refurbished hutch in the family room.

STEP 1. DECLUTTER AND DONATE

All kids have favorite toys.  Declutter together. I give my kids a box to collect unwanted toys to donate to kids in need.  

Declutter, not only the broken toys.  Declutter or donate toys that children have outgrown.  During Christmas and birthdays, when new toys are given, it is customary to donate old toys. Broken toys and toys missing pieces go to trash with no regrets.

STEP 2. CATEGORIZE

Keep like items together.  Separate art supplies, small toys, tiny toys, and large toys.  Puzzle pieces should be kept separately.  

STEP 3. LABEL CLEAR BINS

Labeling is a great idea to keep toys organized.  Months later, you will forget what you places into the bins.

STEP 4. ROTATE TOYS

I find rotating toys one of the best way to keep TOY STRESS under control.  If you don’t limit toy availability, soon you will be creating pathways in your home.  Rotate your kids favorite toys.  There are advantages and disadvantages in storing toys in clear storage bins. The advantage is that you will see what is in the box.  A disadvantage is that your young children will always beg you for those old toys. They will nag you to give the toys to them constantly.  If things are out of sight, they don’t exist for small children. I find it best labeled for you in non-clear container or in cardboard box.  

STEP 5. DEDICATED PLAY AREA IN THE HOUSE

Be sure to create storage space in your living room.  Your kids will not stay in their room the whole day.  Your children will want to play in a space where they can see you.  When you are prepping dinner, your kids will play in the living room.  I keep all toys on the bottom shelf for easy access.  

Family Room

For some reason, a coffee table in a living room is always occupied with toys. The dining table is always covered with toys too.  I was angry at first.  Now, I learned to accept that, as my child has one childhood.  I didn’t have any toys to play with.  My family was poor.  

Kids’ Room Storage Ideas

Bins are a great way to store random toys.  Kids room should should be an organized playroom.  I like to have open storage unite, for a child to make a decision independently.  I have a chest in the kids’ room dedicated for toys.  In different drawers, I like to store small toys, art supplies, and craft supplies. I also store board games, smaller items, and little pieces of Lego and building blocks.  Each drawer is dedicated to different child’s toys. 

STEP 6. DAILY CLEAN UP ROUTINE

It is a mother’s responsibility to teach kids how to keep the house tidy.  From an early age, kids can learn the need for mandatory clean routine. Clean-up time should not take a lot of time.  It shouldn’t be longer than 5-15 minutes.  It means that you owe much stuff.  Return to step one if it your situation.

STEP 7. USE FURNITURE TO STORE TOYS

Dedicate small spaces in furniture to store toys.  Toys should not take over your storage space especially if you have a small living room.  Keep toys in small containers.  One of the popular way to store toys in have an ottoman with a storage compartment.

ADVICE TO NEW MOMS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN 

For safety reasons, keep toys on the bottom shelves for easy access. Don’t store large toys on the higher shelves. Your children will climb and get hurt.

Store old toys out of children’s reach, like in the shed or a-duct.  Rotate storage bins.  Don’t keep clear large bins in play area.  Your kids will be dumping the bins CONSTANTLY at all cost. Then they will sit inside the large clear bins – VERY UNSAFE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.  Additionally, if children have access to large toy bins, toys will be everywhere. There will not be space for any living human beings. You won’t have space to get around in your home.

Study your kids. Don’t believe the idea that kids don’t need toys.  Learn what type of toy your children will play with.  My children played with every toy.