Have a Family Meeting FirstOne thing is certain, your child must say goodbye to some of his or her toys. And, yes, this may lead to a meltdown. But this meltdown will be even bigger if your child realizes that their favorite toy left your home without them knowing. That is why having a family meeting is a must. You can cook your kid's favorite meal or just order some pizza, and start the conversation. Start by telling your child that he or she has too many toys and that some toys must go. Also, try to limit the number of toys that can be kept. And according to that number, tell your child to decide which toys to keep. Yes, this can be hard, but try to remain positive and continue the conversation. This is also a great way to get your kids to play outside. You can even motivate your child or children, by telling them that if they donate all the toys they do not play with anymore, you will buy them one new toy. This method usually works as children get easily excited about having new toys. Make an Inventory of Your Kid's ToysIf you have a smaller child, then he or she probably gets a lot of toys for birthdays and all other holidays. And, sometimes, it can be really hard to keep track of all those new toys coming. So, when you have a day off, start by making an inventory of your kid's toys first. Start by checking everything in their bedrooms, then check all other rooms as well. Yes, this may seem like a never-ending job, but trust us, it will be worth it afterward.
List every toy - those new ones, old ones, everything. Then, when the list is ready, together with your child, divide all the toys into three categories:
The 'Keep Pile' should consist of only those toys that your child enjoys right now. The 'Donate Pile' should consist of toys that are gently used, but your child does not play with them anymore. And, finally, the 'Throw Away Pile' should consist of toys that are completely broken and damaged. Start Sorting OutAfter the decluttering process is over, you should start organizing and sorting out your kid's toys. It is going to be much easier now as you have thrown away and donated some toys already. All that is left now is to sort them out by category. For example, one group can be costumes, accessories and similar. Another group can be crayons, color books, and all school supplies. Do the same with plush toys, Legos, cars, and all other toys. Moreover, you can organize the toys by how much your child uses them. If some toys are used every day, put them in an easily reachable place. Those that are not frequently used, but are expensive or valuable can be placed into boxes and bins. You can pack some boxes by yourself or you can ask professionals for packing assistance, and put them in a garage or storage unit.
Use a Lot of Boxes and BinsBoxes and bins are not only used for keeping things in the garage, attic, or storage unit. They can be a great alternative if you do not have enough storage space in your kid's closet, or if you lack a shelf or two. Pick some nice plastic bins, in pink or blue, or any color your child likes. Place the toys in the bins. Again, try to keep everything organized, and continue with sorting toys in each bin. So, teddy bears should go with plush toys, and costumes should go with other dress-up toys. That way, both you and your child will always know where each toy is. This will be a great way to remove toys from the floors and keep everything organized. Also, it would be a good idea to get some markers and label each bin or box. For example Lego Box, or Doll Box and similar. Remember to always include your child in the process, you will teach them about organization and you will bond with your child at the same time.
Buy ShelvesShelves are a great way to organize anything, not just toys. Moreover, installing them is a very simple home renovation. They are convenient, cheap, easy to install and versatile. If you invest in good quality shelves, you can use them for many years, even when your child outgrows toys. So, go to the store and explore your options. You will see that there are many shapes and sizes, as well as different qualities. If you need a short-term fix, you can buy those plastic shelves. And if you want something that will last and also look great, why not get wooden custom shelves? Those can be used as a separate part of furniture or as an extra storage space. To save space and not to make things even more crowded in your house, be creative with where you place the shelves. Try using that space under the stairs, or in the corners of the room, for example.
Site last updated: 3. March 2021 |
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