Is organizing toys a big issue for you and your kids? I wrote a few toy reviews this Christmas and wanted to add a few how-to posts for parents as well. Here's some handy hints to keep toy clutter from taking over your kids rooms. The more you can keep toys and clothes off the floor the less cluttered the room feels and easier it is to clean. Of course, If you can actually get your kids involved, the whole process is way easier!
1. General Cleanup Rules. Kids of all ages want their privacy. Let them know that if they keep their rooms cleaned up, you will not have to enter except for periodic, pre-announced inspections. Establish a morning pickup routine that might include making beds, hanging up towels in the bathroom and putting away pajamas. The evening pickup routine might include putting away toys and tossing dirty clothes in the hamper. Depending on their ages, children can also be expected to do some weekly cleaning of their bedrooms, which might include [tags]organizing toys[/tags] dusting or vacuuming.
2. Shoe bag storage. A hanging shoe bag on the back of a door can be used to store small toys. Hang it low enough for children to easily reach into pockets to put away and retrieve their favorite toys. Store any collectibles and breakables out of reach in the upper pockets.
3. Animal corrals. Gather stuffed animals in a nylon hammock hung up in one corner of the room. You can even hang a length of colored string or ribbon horizontally between two hooks at either end a bare wall. Use clothespins to clip beanbag toys and small stuffed animals to the string. Note: You can use this same method to display their artwork.
4. Use shelves not boxes. Store toys and games on shelves with bins, rather than in one giant toy box. Finding what you want in a toy box generally makes a mess.
5. Install wall pegs. Install wall pegs at kids' height for hanging book bags, pajamas and bathrobes, jackets and clothes that they wear frequently.
6. Install reachable clothes rods. In the kids' closets, use higher rods for storing dressy and out-of-season clothes. Hang a second, lower rod to encourage them to hang up their everyday clothes. Home-supply stores sell rods that hang from an upper rod, as well as tension-mounted rods that can be fitted in the closet at any height.
7. Put a "Donate" box in your kids' rooms. If your kids can't be bothered to put toys away you can give them a choice. They can put it in the donation box, or you will do it for them. Oooh that's mean!
Organizing toys the easy way...with your kids help! I guess if you got them in a habit that they enjoy it'll definitely save you time and your sanity!
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