If there is anything that can drive a mother crazy the most, it is probably the mess toys can make in 0.3 seconds. There are the toys with millions of little tiny pieces, the ones that are too large for any sort of closet and then all the toys in between. What is a mom to do to keep it all organized?
Plastic storage containers. Each group of toys should have its own storage container with a label. I like to label the container with part of the packaging of the toy so that it is clear to the child what should go into that container. This makes cleanup time a learning and matching game! The other benefit to this method is all of the little tiny pieces can stay together and will not get lost.
A large toy box. For all the miscellaneous toys and stuffed animals, I recommend a large box that you can just throw everything into. Again, this makes cleanup a cinch and helps the children to learn to cleanup after themselves.
A season for toys. Children can get bored with toys very easily. Take some toys and put them into a few boxes. Every few months rotate out the toys that are “out” and it will be like finding old friends over and over again. This will cut down on the purchase of new toys (aka new clutter), and will keep your children interested in their toys.
Teach the children. When you teach your kids to cleanup after themselves it will give them valuable life lessons. One rule I like is that you are not allowed to move onto the next activity until you have put away the current one you are playing with. This way it’s not a massive cleanup effort at the end of the day.
With these tips you can always have a clean and organized playroom or child’s room. Just don’t get upset when your child decides to play his favorite game of dump all the blocks out, it will get picked up soon.