Checklist for Kids Toys

One reason why children have a hard time keeping their things organized is that most of them have WAY TOO MUCH STUFF!

Look around, how many toys does one kid need? I remember once standing in the midst of a room that looked like a bomb had gone off in it. We had visitors and their kids and ours were playing downstairs while we visited upstairs. I think the children pulled out every single Lego, car, truck and puzzle that our kids owned, you couldn't even see the floor for the mess. It was a disaster!
It was right about then that I got the idea to separate the different types of toys and store them according to activities. As some of the boys were still young enough to have afternoon naps, I decided that their bedrooms were going to be strictly for sleeping and 'quiet' activities. The only toys allowed in the bedrooms were things like: books, crayons, paperwork and coloring books, some puzzles, music boxes, stuffed animals, anything that one child could do alone that was not physically stimulating. They soon got the idea that when they spent time in their rooms, they were either be going to sleep or play quietly.
Outdoors, we fenced off the back yard and made a play area in one corner with a sand box and swings. We also went to the playground at the park quite often just for the walk and the chance to play with others.

Each child had their own library card and once every two weeks we all went to the library. You can get videos and audio tapes for children at the library. It is nicer than buying them as they can get a different one every two weeks so, you save money and they get a variety of entertainment.
We were very short of money in those days and one of the best investments we made was joining a toy co-operative. This was a group of parents and educators that paid a small yearly fee,( I think it was about $25.00) and the money was used to buy good quality, sturdy wooden, handmade toys. I think they bought them from non-profit agencies like the ones for the mentally handicapped or seniors who made beautiful puzzles, games, trucks, cars...all sorts of nice toys for young children. Once you paid your yearly membership you could go and take out a toy much like you go to the library to borrow a book except, in this case, you borrow a toy and return it in two weeks.

The kids got to play with toys we never could have afforded to buy for them and, as they could exchange them each week or two for a different one, they never got bored with them. Even if you don't have something like this in your town, you could start something up with your school or perhaps with other families in your neighbourhood.
Checklist for Toy Storage
Store toys with small parts ie: Lego, puzzles or building logs etc. in see through plastic containers or ice-cream buckets.
Put up shelving so children can store their containers neatly, in view, but up out of the way.
Make or buy a large toy box so the children can quickly pick up larger toys and get them up off the floor when cleaning up the play area.
A plastic shoe holder is a neat and inexpensive way to store small stuffed animals or anything that you don't want to toss into the toy box. Just hang it in a convenient place where it can be reached by the little people. These are fairly easy to make out of a piece of material with clear plastic. Just stitch onto it forming pockets. (Get the clear plastic by the yard in the fabric center.)
Get a couple of regular size plastic garbage cans with lids. They make excellent toy boxes and are relatively inexpensive
Netting can be strung up on one wall and stuffed toys and other larger items that aren't heavy can be stuck behind so the toys are visible but up off the floor and stored neatly.
Wooden wine racks can often be picked up at garage sales. Most that I have seen are like new and they make good storage racks. Use a Pringles potato chip can (cylinder) to store small puzzles or little cars etc and then store them in the cubbyholes in the wine rack.
Trunks, old dressers or chests are great places to store old clothing for dress up games. Go through your closet and see if there are items you don't want like purses, hats or clothing to donate to the dress-up bin.
Old dish drainers are good for storing small books, records and tapes.
Plastic or wicker laundry baskets are handy for odds and ends that don't fit anywhere else or toys that are used often.
Create a painting center, either in the basement laundry room or set aside a space in the bathroom or kitchen cupboards just for painting supplies. Keep finger paints and other art supplies in this area and insist that they be put back only after everything has been cleaned up. If you do this with them when you first start the painting center, they will learn how to take care of these messy things and it won't be all over the place.

Less is better, when shopping for gifts for your children buy the best you can afford and buy one gift rather than several.
When children have fewer possessions they treasure them more so every now and again weed them out. Encourage the children to donate the ones they want to part with to a worthy cause or sell them at a garage sale.
Toys like anything else occasionally need a wash so get the kids in the habit of cleaning them every now and again. Make sure you show them exactly how to do this so they don't soak everything down and ruin anything. Most toys just need a wipe with a damp cloth and I suggest using a disinfectant in the wash water.
Teach your children to take care of their belongings and set a good example by taking care of your own things properly.
Last but not least, while it is nice if children pick up their toys on their own, if you expect them to help you with household chores it's only fair that you help them with their toy pick-up. It's always more effective when you pitch in but make sure you let them know this is their responsibility and you are only their 'helper'.:)

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