Where To Begin When Sorting Toys
By: Heather Krick
Tags: Organization, Cleaning, Children, Parents

“Nurturing my kids’ talents looks like a giant mess”.

Let’s face it, we all like to surround ourselves with stuff. I subconsciously thought that by keeping books around I would be more inclined to read them, or items that need to be recycled, I thought would be good DIY projects. Let’s consider the vast collection of music CD’s, which are either scratched or skip, but somehow we just can’t give them up.

It’s time to let it all go! The reality is we have technology for condensing all of our books and music on a device, or investing our energy in one project versus collecting in mass quantity. Spending free time with people you enjoy, cooking meals, pursuing fitness goals, or making better function of your living space will satisfy the urge for these “things” and give you what you want.

Now, let’s focus on your “child’s room of stuff”! Sorting toys can be difficult, however by creating a “home” for each of your child’s items it decreases clutter and provides a thriving environment for them to learn. Just as you have instilled these ideas to other parts of your home, why not do it for your child? With the use of this proper setup, you will be on your way to organizing the chaos!

Let’s Get Started

First, turn on some music. I know this may sound silly, but music is a great motivator when it comes to doing something that isn’t preferable such as, washing dishes, folding laundry, or cleaning.

Second, start taking everything off the shelves in your child’s room. I’m sure there are miscellaneous placed books, scattered instruments, or an assortment of figurines. This seems overwhelming at first, but by doing this you are creating a fresh canvas for toy placement and purging unnecessary items that have been tucked away.

Start by making piles in the room according to the toys similarities.

Here is a list to get started:

Large electronics: robots, large vehicles, transportation, etc.

Figurines: characters and small dolls

Instruments

Books: You can slowly start putting back on the shelf to create more floor space for sorting

Dress-up items: costumes, hats, purses, sunglasses, props, etc.

Jewelry: necklaces, bracelets, earrings, accessories

Discovery items: magnifying glasses, binoculars, bug catchers (think science)

Games

Stuffed animals

Art supplies

Puzzles

Find a Place for Everything

Dress-up clothes, props, and figurines

Start by taking the empty baskets or bins from the shelves and begin to fill them with items that are similar by nature keeping in mind that if it is a big basket then it should contain larger items, like dress-up clothes and props. I would suggest the canvas bins because of their size, as well as, using their decorative advantage, which gives the illusion of a tidy space and a quick clean up for your child afterwards. Let’s be honest and not waste our time folding or hanging things on hangers. Setting up a proper environment encourages children to be independent by putting their items away.

Smaller bins can be used for the mass collection of figurines, like for their dollhouse or micro-machine cars. Consider investing in some clear bins with lids for these loose parts. This will help the child to identify bins and enabled them to make choices and engage in play on their own.

Board games, puzzles, and instruments

Items such as board games and puzzles can be neatly stacked. Keeping in mind the placement of these items; if you want them up high out of the child’s reach or down low where the multiple pieces can be accessible. Same concept can be applied to instruments. My recommendation is having these items on a rotation allowing either a noisy or quiet activity to be accessible.

Stuffed animals

Stuffed animals depending on the number, can be placed all around the room. For instance, the favorites can be on the bed or kept in a cozy basket able to be revisited throughout the day. Meanwhile, the other stuffed animals can be on display from an installed hanging organizer or a decorative curtain rod. However, for now, store them on a shelf using a stadium-style seating by lining them up and placing them on top of one another creating multiple rows.

Larger electronics, discovery items, and jewelry

As for the larger electronics, they can either be displayed on a shelf or tossed into a large bin that can easily slide from the shelf or placed in the room.

Discovery items could be in a backpack or tote bag, which allows the child to easily transport these items from the room to the outside. A hook can be installed to hang the bag or placed in the closet. Jewelry might be stored in a similar fashion, such as a closed container with a handle, or tote bag with a zipper.

Art supplies

Lastly, the art supplies are something that needs careful evaluation. As a parent, you can determine by the age and responsibility of your child what art supplies you would like to have available in their play space. For instance, are you ready to have scissors, markers, crayons, stickers, etc. available at all times?

A little nervous…start slow.

Incorporate a child-sized table and chairs in the play space for your child to utilize for these kinds of activities. Having a handful of crayons and a tablet of paper or coloring book for starters, then if the child is successful, continue adding stickers or markers. Remember, another option is storing these items up high, then bringing them into the kitchen to encourage a positive experience as you observe their development of fine motor skills and have clean-up.

When do I add a personal touch?

Over time, as you and your child enjoy this newly created space for learning, growth, and social interactions you will come to fine-tuning certain areas in the room that could be looked at closer. In other words, considering inventive ways of storing items, or purchasing some materials to help bring them all together.

Summary

When you create a “home” for each of your child’s items it decreases the clutter and provides a thriving environment for them to learn. Just as you have instilled these ideas to other parts of your home, why not do it for your child? Today, I would like to challenge you to use the list provided above, set a date, and get started in creating a functional space for you and your child.