5 Tips to Help Contain Your Kids’ Toys

From dolls to Lego bricks to crayons to stuffed animals, we understand the struggle to contain the clutter of toys. It can be a challenge to maintain a neat and tidy home with little ones and their tendency to take (and leave) their toys wherever they may go. The next time you step on one of those lovely toys and feel inclined to throw all of them away, try some of these toy organization tips and kid-friendly cleaning strategies to help you conquer the clutter and reclaim your home and neat space.

1. Reduce the amount of toys.

Organization of any kind really starts the same across the board: reduce the clutter. Throwing some things away and adding others to a donation box is the best way to start. Sometimes, it’s just the sheer amount of toys that is overwhelming. It’s easy to allow things to get out of control and keep adding toys. But, once you decide to purge some of them, you’ll immediately start to feel better and feel your space start to open up.

Your kiddos may not agree with this, so it may be better to do some tossing when they are occupied elsewhere. On the other hand, creating donation piles can be a great learning experience for your littles. You will be the best judge of whether or not they are at an age where they can handle this process. This is also a great way for your children to see how much they have and even rediscover toys that have been long forgotten!

2. Make sure all toys have their own home (and create labels).

If toys don’t have their own spot to land, they will land everywhere. It’s best not to throw all toys into the same storage tub or basket. This can lead to frustration later when trying to find “that one toy,” and boxes and tubs will be dumped out all over the floor.

Consider purchasing several plastic tubs that can hold similar toys. Clear tubs work well, but if you can’t get those, you can always label them with words and or pictures, depending on the age of your children. Not only can you store toys in these containers, but you can also stack them neatly in rooms or closets. Have one for blocks, one for Legos, one for cars, one for dolls and accessories, etc.

3. Keep some toys tucked away.

Some toys don’t need to be within reach of kiddos all the time. It’s okay to put some of those tubs away to be brought out on special occasions. Sometimes the “messy toys” (think finger paint, play dough, glitter, puzzles, etc.) can be brought out when the family wants to do something together or when you can go outside, enjoy the outdoors, and play.

4. Toss the packaging.

Sometimes we tend to keep the packaging that toys come in just in case they break or to house them when not in use. However, keeping the boxes can add clutter and bulk that’s really just a waste of space. Plus, once they get used and dented, they can become in the way and an eye-sore.

Once you know you are keeping the item, add it to the appropriate basket or tub. This will help reduce bulky boxes and keep your organizational system on track.

5. Establish toy boundaries.

When you find that toys are creeping into every area of your home, since you have them organized with tubs, this can be a quick fix. It might be beneficial to create some house rules where toys are concerned. Create some “no toy” zones, such as in the kitchen or in the entryway of your house. You might also consider setting a time curfew on when toys need to go back to their “homes.”

If you are still struggling with too many toys lingering all over, you can always have a limit on how many toys are allowed out at a time. While some of these “house rules” may seem strict, they could very well help keep everyone on the same page in terms of expectations (and less frustration for the adults).

Looking for other ways to control clutter? Read 4 Tips to Declutter Your Closet to help gain back control of your closet space.