Before Christmas comes the de-cluttering and purging of the old toys. After Christmas brings organizing the new toys. It never fails to amaze me how many toys my children end up getting over the holidays. They will play with a few that catch their interest while the others wait patiently under the tree. Once all the festivities are ready to be put to bed until the next year, it is time for the new toys to find their place.
- Proper Size Toy Boxes. Small toys get lost in a large toy boxes. In fact, most large toy boxes end up becoming a bin for odds and ends, broken toys, puzzle pieces, and possibly a moldy peanut butter sandwich. It is best to have a few medium sized toy boxes and small toy boxes for particular items. For instance, hot wheels in a small toy box, Legos in a medium sized toy box, and dolls in a medium size toy box. Kids will find it easier to find their toys and keep toys in a proper place. It will also prevent dumping a huge toy box to find a slinky.
- Books. Books can be stored in a basket next to your child’s bed. Even if you have a bookcase having a small basket of your child’s favorite books will prevent those books from being stored on the floor or in the child’s bed.
- Hanging Shoe Bag. I never liked using those hanging shoe bags for shoes. However, they are fantastic for storing small toys, art supplies, Polly Pockets, Barbie accessories, and more small items. The shoe bag will fit on the back of your child’s bedroom or closet door making it easy to access.
- Labeling. Labeling boxes is a great idea. However, there is no need to get too hung up on it if you feel your child will not keep up with it. Try broad labels such as “cars” or “dolls” instead of “Red Lego Pieces” or “Barbie Shoes”.
- Keep it Simple and Easy. The best system I have is a bunch of little tin buckets filled with scissors, crayons, pencils, glue, and paint brushes. It is simple, visible, and easy to keep up with. Everything else in my home becomes chaos but that little bucket system has stayed in tact for the last few years.