Before we begin, I wanted to share some startling statistics with you. I found them in Every Child has a Thinking Style by Lanna Nakone. Keep them in mind when you are organizing toys with your kids.
Children from the age of 4-12 have tripled their purchases since the 1990's.
Children's homes have 50% more things in them since the 1980's.
Since the 1920s toys have been marketed directly to children.
In 2004, 15 billion dollars were spent on advertising to children.
In 1981, kids had 40% time for play.
In 1997, kids have 25% time for play.
Children have a third less downtime than they did a generation ago.
YIKES!
Isn't it interesting that kids have MORE toys now and LESS time to enjoy them? Something is wrong with this picture.
In this article we are going to explore simple ideas for organizing toys, games to make it fun for all, as well as become more clear about your role and your child's role in organizing toys.
Simple Ideas for Organizing Toys
Create one room that is the play room. This may mean children will have to share a bedroom. This allows for their sleep room to be a place of tranquility, peacefulness, and rest. It also keeps toys in a space that is every kids dream--their own play room! Create zones such as a game zone, reading zone, doll zone, car zone, missing pieces zone, etc. The special zones will make it easy to know where things belong. Plus when the kids are inspired, they can easily find the toy that will take them to never-never land.
Use clear baskets and bins for kids to visually see where their toys are and where they belong when it is time to put them away. Empower the kids at all ages to develop this life skill of putting things back. Use pictures for kids who are not reading yet by cutting out pictures from magazines, drawing the toys, or taking a digital picture and using it as the label. Turn it into an art project and have the kids make their own labels.
Practice the "One-In, Two-Out" rule. For every toy that is brought into the home, have the child choose two to donate or give to another friend. This is a marvelous habit to get the kids into. (Well, for us adults too!) The other beauty of this rule is when you are at a store and your child asks for a new toy. You can ask them, "Are there two toys you are willing to let go of to allow this into your playroom?" If the answer is NO, then it is easier to say not now. If the answer is YES, then ask which toys they are thinking about to make sure they are somewhat comparable in size and value. I bet some kids would be more than willing to let go of a fast food toy for a race track! Creating this new thought process with purchases will allow the kids to be an active part of the decision.
Let go of the big, bulky toys that take up tons of space. Trade them in for a bicycle or even a wagon. Kids have flourished with simple toys that enhance their creativity and their physical fitness in the past. Why not do the same now?
Get creative with games and puzzles. Games and puzzles add a special challenge by having different shaped boxes. One solution is to get rid of the boxes and have a clear plastic container for game pieces, a binder for the rules, and a box for all the game boards (with a label on the outside of the board). You may also be interested in using GameSavers to keep each game in its own box. For puzzles, use ziplock bags for the pieces and color the backs so you know which piece goes with which puzzle if they get mixed up. Remember, you have the power to make games and puzzles work for your space, rather than making your space fit your games and puzzles.
Create a way for the play space to be portable. Kids may want to play in an area that is close to you. You may even want them where you can see them. So, have a basket in each room where toys migrate. Throughout the day these baskets can collect the toys and allow for easy pick up to be returned to the play room.
Get in the habit of putting toys to bed. This turns the kids space into a clean slate for new fun to be had!
Rotate toys. As adults, we know what it is like to have too many choices. It can paralyze us! The same is true for kids. If you find them being overwhelmed with their toy selections or becoming bored, place some in a storage box to be brought out on a rainy day or in a couple of months. This will extend the life of the toy by having them feel new again!
Slow the toy flow. If toys are coming into your life at unmanageable speeds, or if you find you are not receiving appropriate gifts for your children, it may be time to offer other suggestions to your family and friends. For example, you can suggest money for your child's college fund, gift certificates, or experiences such as museums, parks, music lessons, trips, etc.
Change your language. Organizing toys instead of cleaning toys can make all the difference in their excitement level. For some reason, kids respond to "Let's organize your toys!" instead of "Hey, let's clean up the play room." I know which one sounds like more fun to me! Ha!
Games to Make Organizing Toys Fun
Out of Place Game
Once a home for their toys is created, ask your kids to close their eyes while you move things around. Their goal is to find all the items out of place and put them back in their home. This encourages kids to look for misplaced items, think about where they belong, and take action to put them back. Using a timer can add another level of challenge! You can even use this for other items in the house such as books, clothes, and school supplies.
Timers
Timers are wonderful tools to add a little excitement and motivation to any project--even organizing toys! By having one near the play area you can:
Set the timer for 15 minutes and when it goes off, it is time to put the toys away.
See how long it takes the kids to put the toys away and race against the clock.
Set the time for a certain amount and what ever is not put away gets placed in a donation box or a safe box (to be let out after a certain time.) Okay, this may seem a little mean, but you could use this if the kids are not cooperating and need an extra incentive.
Field Trip to Donation Center
If your kids are donating toys, take them to the donation center and let the employees share how their toys will be used. If you let the donation center know you are coming in advance, they may even have a little celebration for your kids to reinforce how special their gift is. This could make it even easier next time you are going through your toys.
Toy Hunt
Add a twist to clearing out the toy clutter by making it into a scavenger hunt. Make a list of all the things you want the kids to hunt for, or better yet, ask your kids to come up with their own list. Items could include:
toys that are broken
toys that are too young for me
toys I don't like to play with anymore
toys that are missing a piece
Now set a timer and see how many items they can find for the entire list, or for a specific topic, such as broken toys. You can have the kids race against each other or work together as a team effort and give them different zones to hunt.
Yard Sale
This could be a fun way for your child to learn a ton of different skills--money management, marketing, sales, and of course--organizing toys! By making money from their toys, they will see a different kind of value attached to the toy and may be willing to let go of them a little easier. Plus, they can use the money to buy something else they desire.
Your Kid's Role in Organizing Toys
I am a firm believer in having the kids be a part of the decision on what toys are given away. I get a lot of grief from parents on this one, but think about it. On some instances, your child may not know their toy is missing and YES, it is easier for you to do it when they are not around. But just like anything, it is a habit and a way of thinking about their things that can be taught and will take some time. It is possible for kids to develop a lack of trust and hang onto their toys even harder if they fear they will be taken away without their input. This is another fabulous way to teach them how to make choices that reach far beyond toys.
Get the kids involved in their own space. How do they want it decorated? What zones make sense to them? What does organizing toys mean to them? What would motivate them to clean up their space? When given the chance, kids can come up with the best ideas.
Kids also have their own organizing style that is important to embrace. So, how you would organize their space may not work for them. I recommend reading Every Child has a Thinking Style to help identify your child's own style to empower and understand them.
Your Role in Organizing Toys
In my opinion, your role is to be a guide, a support and creator of a safe place for your children to learn. Simply being a great role model with your own stuff and learning how to organize will also empower the rest of the family.
Now is the time to be honest with yourself. Are you more attached to the toys than your kids? I have seen it time and time again. Your attachment may come from the amount of money the toy cost, to who gave it to your child, to the memories you have of your child playing with it. When you have a heart palpitation when the kid picks out the train set he no longer plays with, ask your self where it is coming from. You may find that you have more resistance with letting go of toys than they do AND you could be passing that along to them unknowingly.
It is especially important that you organize WITH your child, and not do it FOR them. They will enjoy having you as an organizing buddy.
Take time to really play with your children. This will give you a better idea of why they like certain toys and connect deeper with you child. Plus we all need more playtime in our lives!
