As we barrel toward the holidays, it is easy for me to think “we have too many toys!” and my boys just don’t need a thing. Other times, we visit friends for playdates and I think the opposite. Maybe my sons have all the wrong toys. Ugh.
Scary toy pile from Wendy
Here are some how-to instructions for doing an effective toy box sort (adapted from the guidelines by Discovery Toys‘ educational consultants):
- Sort. Make two big piles: “toy keepers” and the “toys you can do without” — More often than not, the toys in the “must keep” pile are open-ended (like Legos, blocks, stuffed animals) and the “forgotten” pile are toys that don’t do very much at all.
- Edit. Pare down the collection, remove any broken toys, pack away toys that are not age-appropriate (both too young and too old). Toys that are outgrown can be stored or passed along. Toys that are broken can be repaired or find new homes.
- Organize. Sort the keeper toys into like categories. Whitney uses these categories for her kids’ array of toys (with a bin or cubby for each): puzzles, small people + animals, things with wheels, puzzles missing pieces (triage), doll house accessories, pretend food, puppets, trains + tracks, costumes, babydoll clothes, instruments. I also like to store half of the toys in a back room so I can keep the selection fresh with rotation.
- Label. After you’ve pared down and organized, store toys in clearly labeled bins (preferably clear bins!) so that each toy has a place. For pre-readers, you can use photos and names on your labels.
- Evaluate. Is anything obviously missing? Is your child lacking puzzles, craft supplies, dress-up clothes, or age-appropriate books?
Streamlined toy system from Wendy
To fully appreciate Wendy’s efforts in toy storage and mastering the toy box, you must read her post. Her categories include trains and train tracks, train set “destinations”, play food and kitchen stuff, stuffed animals, plastic animals and safari toys, vehicles, construction toys and tool.
As part of this exercise in my house, we determined that Milo, the puzzle fiend, really could use a puzzle board so he can do his puzzles in the living room without the frustration of pieces sinking into the carpet. Holden and Alec are going to make him one as a project.
I’m not convinced Holden needs any more toys though. We have a Hot Wheels track that I haven’t given him from last year and I think he’ll really like it. If only I can find space for it!
How do you manage the toy chaos? Any success or failure stories you’d like to share?
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
From the beginning we have been adamant about our house not turning into “one of those” homes that is litered, overwhelmed, and consumed with toys. I’m sure Mason doesn’t care that we give him drawers of kitchen accessories to play with, right? In all seriousness, he does have a few go-to’s that have fared well so far. If I can just get our families to restrain themselves during Christmas and his first birthday in January we’re good to go…
Good luck getting people to restrain themselves for his birthday!
Tegan and Tage, you can do it! You just gotta believe!
Wendy, somehow even your scary toy box looks lovely. But I want to see your “after” picture too.
Tegan and Tage, we have the same attitude, stacking measuring cups is the same as a stacking plastic toy isn’t it? our metal spoons and colander has endless fun, and apparently wooden spoons are fascinating.
a friend gave me another tip too. we keep all the (safe) lids from empty bottles and jars, put them in a big formula tin with a hole cut in the lid. when nearlyMabel was little she loved chewing, holding, banging them, now she takes them all out, slots them all back in, pratices throwing them round, stacking them. like you i don’t know how we’ll go after christmas and december first birthday tho’ but i think we might put some pressies away for a rainy day instead of all at the same time.
We do a couple things to manage toy chaos. First- let me explain that we live in a small apartment. It’s next to the beach but the apartment is small. So TIP #1: we don’t buy toys we rent them. Yup- rent them. We have a toy library (edcentersantacruz.com). We swap out once a month, or once a week, or whenever we choose. The rest of our toys are pots, pans, scarves etc.
TIP #2: How to pare down and ramp up at the same time. We are having a toy swap for SC’s second birthday. Everyone has toys they don’t use and every kid loves something random from someone else. It’s in 2 weeks. We shall see what we get.
Perfect timing. This is our weekend project. With an end of November B-day, the junk piles up quickly. First, we have learned not to open everything. Second, Toys for Tots in not only a great program, but it saves us from maddening toy chaos. We donated about 50% of the b-day gifts last year. Finally, we set aside a few areas for toys – one cabinet, two small baskets, a short folding bookshelf and one cube. If they don’t fit, they have to go. Now the baskets are out of control so I am going to try shoeboxes for legos, puppets, and other small, long term toys.
hi ,
thanks for this information.. glad to now that we are not the only one having a toy “war zone” in the living room. I always had to do all the tidying especially if we are expecting some guests… urghhs…
one of my friend has a unique solution.. here is how it works:
step1 ) organise toys based on their types/categories in boxes (eg: all the cars in one box, etc)
ideally you should have more than 4 boxes..
step2) Take out only one box per week , and keep the rest hidden. at the end of the week , rotate with another box.
Voila! It keeps the house mess free, and the kids can enjoy and rediscover their “fresh” toys every week!