Seeking Ideas to Help Manage Toy Clutter

We really like those racks with colored bins for everything. When my daughters were little I'd cut out pictures of the type of item that goes in each so she'd know what goes where. You can never have too many of these things!! LOL Also just teaching her to put things away before bringing out something else would be a good habit to start since she is getting older. In our "game closet" we also put labels on the shelves so everyone knows where everything goes. We have a "Misc" bin also but really, just about everything goes somewhere. Take stock of what you have and make a master list and organize by theme or type of toy. Things that have lots of pieces to them go in ziplock bags before we put them in the bins and I label the ziplocks. You can also get those over the door vinyl shoe holder things, they have lots of see through pockets for those little things that need their own place. We also got an extra hamper and use it for the stuffed animals, or you can get those hanging nets. Lastly, have a garage sale at least 1x a year or give things to the needy or freecycle it. We go through everything about 2-4 weeks before Christmas to make room for the new stuff. Most things people hang onto they don't really play with any more or just once in a while so get rid of it. Have fun clearing the clutter!

I try to take a couple of boxes/bins of toys and put them away for a couple of months so they seem 'new' again when I take them out. And just keep rotating toys. My kids really aren't 'toy' kids and I keep wondering why we keep so many around. One of my sons is happy with a train that makes sounds and the Leapfrog Word Whammer. The other is happy with a pencil and notebook to carry around taking 'notes'! Bins seem to be my best friend but if you don't stay on top of getting the toys back into their bins every day the madness starts all over!

Dear A.,

I don't know, it is just that way. You will be finished with this part of your daughter's life in a few years.

The only thing that I can advise is to spend time segregating them and have her help you, talking companionably with her as you do it together. She will enjoy the companionship with you and may catch on about keeping things in certain baskets.

I kept a basket in the living room so that the toys could be transported to the bedrooms easier. Some people make rules about toys, but really - watch the kids - well the 4 year old probably won't do it, but kids finish with a toy and drop it on the way to another interest - Kids are not little adults.

My very best advice is physical closeness and quiet conversation with your child. They love to be respected and have you near by. Remember we are a lot taller than they are - and they are in another world sometimes when we talk from up above.

That is all I know, C. N.

I haven't tackled our toy problem yet, except that I keep things to a minimum in her room. I try to keep toys put away in bins in the closet and rotate every few months. Her hair stuff seemed to be bursting at the seems though and it drove me crazy. I bought one of the tiny 3 drawer bins from target to go on her bathroom cabinet and organized the smaller stuff by type. Then I made a hair bow holder by painting one of the big wooden letters (her initial) you can get just about anywhere and putting three ribbons on it that are a couple feet each in length. I hang this on the wall in her bathroom and clip anything to it that will stay. It's also an easy way to match an outfit when we have every shade of pink known to man!! For a 4 year old it would also be a great way to let her make some hair style/accessory choices each day. Good luck!

Hi A.. I am the mother of a 3 1/2 year old boy and would love organization. I know I won't have it until he's got his own house. The only suggestions I have for now, (toddler age), is bins, buckets, and baskets. Maybe to help him remember what goes where, (they get overwhelmed with all thos toys sometimes), try putting pictures on the front of each bucket of which toy belongs. You could also try color coordination. That may be a little more difficult. Well, I hope you find something that works better for everyone soon. Keep us posted. I'd love to be better organized.

This topic has been a big one for me. Whenever my daughter's room starts to feel cluttered I thin the toys out (reduce the number of books, stuffed animals, clothes, etc) and put them in bins in our storage shed. Sometimes I give lots of stuff away - for instance, both of my daughters received up to 6 purses each year and they rarely use any of them. I save a couple that are really cute or unique and give away the rest. With kids toys and related stuff you have to ask yourself - how much so they really need? My daughter has too many barbies and clothes and I also just purged those too - those are being given away. I find the clutter of too much (toys, etc.) makes it hard to see what there is to play with.

Just from reading the responses you've received so far...it seems like EVERYONE has issues with toy storage. I know I do! I have several large wicker baskets around, one in the living room and two in my oldest daughter's room. They are overflowing with toys and stuffed animals; however, they do seem to contain the toys without too much of a headache. As a solution for the stuffed animals, I saw this item called "Boon Trio Elite Animal Bag" on the Costco website. It basically uses the stuffed animals to fill this bean bag-like seat. It is really pricey though...but I'll bet it's an item that can be handmade without too much of a problem.
Let me know if you ever solve this little problem...I'm always looking for good storage ideas also! Good luck!