Ideas for organising kids toys

jess1011

The rotation idea is a good one, I remember watching something not so long ago and they said that too many toys can prevent a child from concentrating.... how true I'm not sure although if DSS is anything to go by then I agree with the statement! lol

Ive got some of the pop up laundry hamper things in his room with teddies and things in (well supposed to be teddies, I dread to think what is actually in there...) I also got one of those plastic storage units with the drawers in. Other than that there are some cardboard boxes which we covered in funky wrapping paper. Although to be honest I've given up on his room as he doesnt put anything away (I blame his mom who does everything for him, as far as going up to his room to change the channel when the remote is next to him but thats another story).

esmf73

PixieDust wrote: »

ooh I remember something I did with mine, but it has limited success with little toddlers. In the Lego, K'Nex, Ello etc boxes there was also a large sheet of material....usually half of an old single quilt cover - quite big...I tried to get them to spread the sheet out and then tip the box out on to the sheet. WHen clearing away, just get all the bits on to the sheet, gather it up and tip the lot bacl in the box. Fold the sheet and Bob's your uncle. Saved me SO much effort in getting them to help me clear away once I did this

Pixie Dust - you are amazing. I will be doing this from now on - Fantastic!!!!

OP - I clear out my childrens toys every 6 months or so - throw away broken ones / freebies from McDonalds!! etc and then I pack them into their sets and divide them in two. Half of the toys then go into the loft (as they only play with half of them anyway) to be swopped over in a month or so. This way they have "new" toys and it reduces the mess.

If yours are on half term now, leave it until Monday and then sit down with a coffee and be ruthless x

Drummer82

Wow thanks for all the suggestions, Ive only just joined this forum and am glad I did.

Im having a think about how I'd do the swap thing as it does sound like a good idea. I cant easily get up and down my loft unfortunately as we have no ladder, so I sort of rely on the childrens dad to go up there when needed I cant get up at all, I have just cleared a space on my wardrobe though so thinking I may be able to put a box on there maybe.

Im wondering also how to make my own teddy bear hammock out of an old sheet or something? Im not very good at sewing or anything like that, though Im hoping to learn somethings..another reason I joined mse.
My daughter has sooooo many teddy bears, also have about 2 bags of them up the loft and she still wants more so a hammock would be great, she never had a spare corner in her room,but we recently moved it about abit and now she does.

My kids are 8 and 5 by the way, my 8yr old son, is gradually getting there with looking after and organising his stuff.

I'll pop into poundland next time Im near one,I did get a small storage box from there before which holds all their colouring pencils.

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi, I just wanted to say as a Mum with kids who are now 11 and 13 I think a messy home and young kids are an inevitable combination and you shouldnt feel bad about it. One day you will reclaim your living room - that is if someone isnt playing on the Xbox or watching American rubbish on telly!

Making use of free storage, cardboard boxes, ice cream tubs, shoe boxes, jam jars etc is a great idea. When I was trying to clear my sons bedroom I used to go upstairs with a carrier bag on bin night and fill it with the Mcdonalds toys, broken stuff and things that were worthless. If you do it bit by bit they dont notice.

Your 8 yo is probably old enough to do a car boot sale with you and appreciate getting some cash for his old stuff. We have had huge success with this and I used to set the rule that they were allowed to buy one thing at the sale to bring home with them but no more! You can also ebay stuff that you can post.

rosie383

I had this problem too, with having a 13yr old and 5 yr old both sharing a small bedroom. I got 2 under-bed storage boxes with lids, they have one each. Easy to sit on the bedroom floor and just chuck all the stuff in the boxes. I now have a rule that everything gets chucked in the boxes each evening after they finish playing. Takes just a couple of minutes if it's done every day. I do ask the kids to do it, but if they don't on some days, it is easy for me to just do it and cuts down on the stress!
I also got them a pop-up laundry bin each from Primark for just a few pounds. These are in a space at the end of the bunk beds, and are great for holding soft toys.
I use a plastic bucket/ tub thing that had wee cheesy biscuits in, for holding pens etc. In the living room, there is just a cardboard box which is tucked into a corner. This makes it easy to sit on the floor and chuck stuff in when tidying away. The things bounce off the walls easily and into the box.

rosie383

Just spotted this on the grabbit board. May be useful.

http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/plastic-storage-/flat-folding-box-standard-32ltr/invt/0082073

maman

I've really liked reading the thread, some fantastic suggestions.

I think you're so wise to plan storage for the toys but more importantly I want to congratulate you for encouraging your children to take responsibility for their stuff.

My DDs are grown up now but I have 2 DGDs. It's amazing how differently their mothers treat them. One DD is very houseproud so tidies up everything after DGD2. DGD2 seems to show no responsibility at all and breaks/loses things knowing it will soon be replaced by more. My other DD is much more relaxed with cleaning etc but puts her energy into being persistent with expectations of behaviour. DGD1 has masses of small, fiddly toys (like Sylvanians) and looks after every one. She has small tins, boxes, lunchboxes, tubs (some bought, some recycled) where they all belong.

Just wanted to say, stick at it, it's not easy but worth it in the long run!

kahunababy

I too have a 4 & 7 yr old and they can make a right mess at times. One thing I have done is cover old shoe boxes in wrapping paper that corresponds with the content. For example, my two have a pirate ship that has lots of little figures and …..things. I got an old shoe box (well boots actually) and covered it in pirate wrapping paper. The same with all their Ben 10 figures, Power Ranger stuff etc. I think it looks quite interesting when they are all stacked up. Nice and colourful.
I also have a ‘one thing out at a time’ rule. They can play away no problem but they are not to allowed to get anything else out to play with until everything they were previously playing with is put away. I have been known to throw everything they have out into a black bin bag and ‘put it in the bin’ (really it went into the garage for a few days), when they have broken this rule. Might sound harsh but it’s the only way I can keep some sort of order in my house!

icecreamdogpark

Rummer wrote: »

We have a two pronged approach to toys. The first is Ikea Trofast Storage which allows us to store loads and the second is a rotation of toys so that my DD only has a small number of toys that can be played with at any given time.

We have a lot of generous relative and friends so my DD has more than she could ever cope with so we have a weekly/monthly rotation of toys so she has a new box every week. This reduces the mess and keeps her interest going as every week there is something new or different to look at.

Yes i childmind and i too was going too suggest toy rotation :j and even with my toddlers i teach them we put these toys away then you can have out what you want if i know they are not going to play with the toy ie the duplo is a favourite to tip out kids love the noise then i either distract them onto another toy or sit with them for a bit to encourage them to actually play with what they`ve chosen

Aarons_mummy

A hammock from an old sheet, just join the corners up at the shorter ends and tie a knot in. You could attach to the wall with pins or coloured cord, if the window was big enough you could do it across the curtain rail.

If you wanted to make it fancier you could do applique or dye the sheet a colour to co-ordinate with the room, o0o0o actually if you have any baby clothes left you could cut out patches and attach them to the sheet, a sentimental but organised way of storing the toys.

I think I may have to steal this idea