{"id":29126,"date":"2021-05-17T15:43:21","date_gmt":"2021-05-17T20:43:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/?p=29126"},"modified":"2023-08-17T21:34:31","modified_gmt":"2023-08-18T02:34:31","slug":"taming-the-toy-box-organization-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/2021\/05\/17\/taming-the-toy-box-organization-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Taming the Toy Box: Organization Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Monday<\/p>\n

I use Mondays to clear our my mailbox. Today I’m tackling the question of how to keep playthings organized. Read on for my best tips on taming the toy box!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Taming<\/p>\n

Question: How do I keep toy clutter in check?<\/h2>\n

Hi Jennifer!<\/p>\n

I have an organization question. What do you do with your kids’ toys? And what would you suggest when small space is an issue? <\/p>\n

We have enclosed our garage for a play area for the kids. When everything is in its place, there’s an open space on the floor. Yet when the kids each get something out, it covers the entire floor (which isn\u2019t that big of an area \u2013 only 1 car size). <\/p>\n

When the kids leave out what they played with, the room’s a mess. Needless to say, the clean up process takes awhile. And things don’t get put up well unless I\u2019m there to supervise. <\/p>\n

So I guess it might be a training problem. But I still feel like it’s partly a space problem. We don’t have a lot of stuff. In a larger house, it wouldn’t feel like we have much at all. Yet in a smaller space it feels tight. Any suggestions for keeping our cluttered playroom in check?<\/p>\n

Thanks,
\nFeeling Crowded<\/p>\n

\"Organizing<\/p>\n

Answer: How to keep toys from overtaking a small space<\/h2>\n

Dear Crowded,<\/p>\n

We’ve never had a dedicated play room. But we do have experience living in tight spaces. Our first three children were born while we lived in a small apartment. And when my husband was in the Army Reserves, we spent a four months living in a 500 sq. ft. bachelor barracks with 10 young children. Our secret to keeping living quarters clutter-free with regard to the children’s playthings can be summed up in two words: Toy Rotation.<\/p>\n

Rotate playthings to keep toy clutter at bay<\/h2>\n

For many of us, the best way to begin organizing our children\u2019s playthings is by getting rid of about half of them. Most kids these days own many more toys than they will ever play with, and the excess just creates confusion and prevents them from enjoying the toys they really like. <\/p>\n

So clear out the clutter. Toss the stuff that is broken or missing parts. Donate little-used toys or games to charity. Then store the bulk of what you keep in boxes to be rotated, thereby giving your children only a few choices at any given time. This will do a more effective job of promoting creativity and contentment than anything else you might try.<\/p>\n