Comments on: Activity #471: Streamline your toy box

By: cellv

cellv — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:59:24 +0000

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!

By: Meg

Meg — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:47:56 +0000

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.

By: Eleni: Surfing Mom SC

Eleni: Surfing Mom SC — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:14:21 +0000

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.

By: claribell

claribell — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:15:09 +0000

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.

By: RookieMom Heather

RookieMom Heather — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:38:57 +0000

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.

By: Elizabeth Sanchez

Elizabeth Sanchez — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:47:39 +0000

Good luck getting people to restrain themselves for his birthday!

By: Tegan and Tage

Tegan and Tage — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:56:24 +0000

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…