Before becoming a mom, my home was had that simple minimalist modern feel. That all went out the window once the baby came along! The living room turned into a play room. It was amazing how much toys and “stuff” started to pile up for one little person. I soon realizes, it didn’t need to be this way. I could have my simple living room back, and still have it double as his playroom with some decluttering and organization! Here are some tips I went by when I went to work on the room:
- Purchase Child-Friendly Storage Units: I bought a few plastic child-friendly storage units from IKEA. I’ve also seen similar ones at Target and Walmart. They have easy to pull out bins to place his toys. I also purchased a small book case at his level so his books will always be easy for him to reach, and to put away!
- Don’t Go with the Big Toy Chest: When you purchase the large toy chest, everything seems to be dumped right in there. Purchase multiple smaller bins as I suggested above. Dividing up the toys by dolls, cars, art supplies, action figures, etc, will help the child know where to look for a toy, rather than digging through one big bin. This could lead them to pulling out, and leaving out, toys they did not want to play with. Thus creating clutter!
- Labels, labels, labels: Label each bin with what toys they contain. You can also even take a picture of the toys to tape to the front of the bin. Again, this prevents digging through other bins looking for something and creating a bigger mess.
- Go with See-Through: When purchasing the storage bins, see-through is the way to go. If your child is too young to read, this will be a big help in finding the toy they are looking for! That way your child can see what is already in each bin. This can prevent them from opening, and dumping all the toys out, while searching for the one item they desire.
- Have a Place for Everything: Now that the storage units are in place, identify which toys go where. Are the toys appropriate for the playroom? Or would they be better suited in the bedroom? Maybe place the bigger toys in the corner(s).
- Hang Stuffed Animals in a Net: Nothing seems to pile up more than plush and stuffed toys. They also can collect dust quicker! Hang them up in a net. Poke legs and arms through so they can easily be pulled out. A net is a great way to keep them off the floor! Don’t like the look for a net? You can also place them in a laundry bag and hang them on the back of the door. While you will probably need to help a smaller child retrieve their favorite plush, it still serves the purpose of keeping stuffed toys off the floor.
- Decide if Child Still Needs Toys: Nothing like a room full of toys your child does not play with or has outgrown! You can make it a fun project with them. Go to each section, and decide if you should keep, toss, or donate. Since the holidays are upon us, remind them of the spirit of giving. Or if your child has not played with a toy in over 6 months, I think it is safe to say it is time for that toy to go.
- Rotate the Toys: So maybe your child isn’t ready to let go of everything. You can always rotate the toys. Store away summer toys in the winter. Or make a plan to change out toys every other month. This way a child can rediscover a toy and enjoy it that much more!
- Make “Clean-Up” a Fun Game: When putting toys away, you can always make it a fun game. Create a “Clean-Up” song to sing with your little ones while organizing the playroom. Or maybe time your child to see how fast they can pick up their toys and put them neatly away. Try to break the record each time! It is amazing how proud your children will be of themselves every time they can break their record.
- Keep It Simple and Don’t Stress: This is just a playroom. If it isn’t perfect, it’s not the end of the world. Keep it organized with your children the best you can. Though if it is messy every so often, just remember, these are kids! Kids can be messy, parents can be messy. Sure it is great to have an organized playroom. Just remember to have fun, enjoy your children, and don’t stress over the small stuff.
Speaking of decluttering and organizing the playroom, Hot Wheels® has introduced the all-new Wall Tracks™ sets to help moms everywhere clean up toy clutter! Hot Wheels® has been listening to moms and found that we couldn’t stand the mess from our kids’ toys.
Kids can now take their Hot Wheels® races where they’ve never gone before – off the floor and onto the walls! How great is that? No more tripping over tracks and cars. Kids can mix, match, and combine with other Wall Tracks™ sets to create all-new Hot Wheels® track layouts. I have to say though, the best part is a less cluttered playroom for this mom!
I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Hot Wheels® blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.
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