June 21, 2013
Let’s Clean House – 5 Ways to Contain the Toys
If your house is anything like mine, without a few systems, toys would run the house. Today I have some simple ways to keep the toys contained and make clean up time easier to begin with.
1. CONTAIN THE TOYS – keep like items together in containers. Baskets work well for larger items, and bins work well for smaller items like Legos and Playmobil. This way it’s easy to know what goes where for kids.
2. ROTATE THE TOYS – if toys aren’t played with on a consistent basis, try putting them away for a week or two and rotating other toys in. The toys will seem brand new and will be appreciated a little more.
3. LABEL THE TOYS – everyone loves a label – no mystery containers, and everything has a place. If you have little ones that can’t read yet, use picture labels to help them know where to return their toys.
4. ONE IN – ONE OUT RULE – if lots of toys out gets to you, teach your kids to put away toys when they are finished with them. This is a good rule to model to children because us adults need this gentle reminder too.
5. LESS IS MORE – more toys doesn’t mean more fun. Having a few really great toys is better than a whole house full of stuff. Sounds like a good mantra for all of us (says the girl with 8 cleaning concentrates).
How about you? What’s your favorite way to control the toys?
This is a mini series all about getting kids involved in cleaning the house – you can see the other posts in the series here.
image credit ©iStockphoto skodonnell
Lisa Says
I have 4 1/2 yr old twins and a 3 yr old and oh my goodness the toys were getting overwhelming. About a month ago I started using a toy check-out system which is using most of what you said here. I got containers and put “like” toys together, labeled them all, put them in a closet (locked the closet), and made a magnet board from an old cookie sheet and used pictures of each of them and made labels for their “check-out”. So far this system has kept the house a lot cleaner and is teaching them to clean up better as they can only have 1-2 boxes out at a time and the first has to be completely cleaned up before they get another one. If they all stayed in their rooms to play separately I’d give them each one but they usually play together. We’re also moving soon and this will make it SO much easier when it comes moving time. 😉
Becky Says
Post authorI love the idea of the magnet board Lisa – that is so great!
xo, Becky
Tanya Says
Great ideas on controlling the toys so they don’t take over!!
xo, Tanya
twelveOeight
Lynette Says
Well, reading this made me feel like I’m on the right track! yay! My one year old’s toys are EVERYWHERE. I have bins, but I will be getting cheap small ones with lids very soon and labeling with pictures and words. I do rotate toys too, and he gets so excited when I switch them! I keep a few of the favorites out all the time, and I also make sure I have at least one of each kind of toys (trucks, tools, stuffed animal, little people, etc.) I love the checkout system, and will remember that as he gets bigger. Thanks for the ideas, it was such a good feeling to know I’m thinking like Clean mama! 🙂
Jason Says
These are some great ideas! I love the one in – one out rule it helps so much with the mess. Thanks for some new ideas!
Nikki Collins Says
Thank you so much, I was searching for just this. With the holiday’s coming up we are going to get even more toys than we already have. I am already feeling like I don’t know where to put anything, but that’s because I have my daughter put whatever she wants in whatever bin she wants (as long as it is off the floor), but that is no longer working. I am going to have to see what bins we already have so I can get a jump start on this all weekend (and next Friday since I have it off).