One of the most important things, when it comes to children’s toys, is to have a place for everything. If you are lacking in storage or organisation no matter how much you tidy it will still look messy and toys will spill into every room in your house.
We have collected some ideas on tidying, organising and storing the toys which we have shared with you below.
Storage
In order to combat that feeling of hopelessness invest in some extra storage containers specifically for toys. There are plenty on the market, bright colours and stackable shapes to suit most jobs. It may help to have a box with wheels so you can wheel it around picking up the toys.
Have some fun with your children creating labels for the boxes so they know where their toys should live.
If you have more than one child you could colour code their toys and boxes, for example, Harry’s things are in the blue boxes and Oliver’s in the green, you could even put the colour in permanent marker on the toys and games so at a glance you know who’s toy it is.
Toy Management:
- Some parents limit the toys that are stored in the living room to one box, the rest of the toys stay in their bedrooms. This way it is easier to tidy up if you have unexpected guests.
- Another idea is a toy exchange, once your child has finished playing with a toy they must put it back in order to get another one out.
- Have an empty box where your child is playing and teach them that when they finish playing with something it goes in the box. Then at the end of the day it is easier for you to put them away as they are all in one place.
Get them Involved:
One of the most important things is to involve your children in the tidy up, the sooner they learn that they must help the easier it will be for you in the long-term.
If you have older children you could put on some music and dance around whilst you tidy or you could make tidying up into a game:
- A race against the clock to tidy the house or room
- A challenge to see who can safely put away the most toys
Also, extra privileges, rewards or pocket money are excellent incentives for them to tidy up e.g. they choose dessert, an extra 30 minutes on the computer, the family play their choice of game.
For younger children it is harder to get them involved but you could try having a tidying up song? At the end of the everyday you stop what you are doing and sing the song whilst you tidy. Children love to sing and they will get used to the routine as well:
“tidy up, tidy up, it’s time to tidy up”
Persevere with involving your children in tidying away their toys as it will pay off in the long run!
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