Hello to all mamas out there! It is time to give your little one a little spot of their own in your big old house, separating from the adults’. Whether you live in a house, or an apartment or constantly move, having a proper home base for your kids should always be the top priority.
Imagine seeing your child knowing exactly where each of their toys is placed, or helping mother clean up after playtime, or zooming straight to their favorite book with ease, or when you see a white clean wall without any graffiti or sticker… You will truly feel rewarded. And that’s what we call a true parenting win!
In this article, we will explore 5 golden tips to help make playroom organization a breeze and simplify your life as a parent.
Flexibility means “always changing”
Keep in mind that “flexibility” means being adaptable to your child’s ever-changing needs! Every few months or so, it’s a good idea to take a fresh look at your child’s space and reorganize things to better suit their growing skills and interests.
You might need to rearrange shelves, swap out school supplies, rotate toys and books, and more. Some items may no longer be needed and can be put away for later, while others that have been out of sight for a while might be just what your child is looking for.
And what about toys your child has outgrown or lost interest in? Don’t be too quick to get rid of them. Sometimes, they just need a break from a toy or activity and will come back to it later. By keeping these items in storage, you can revisit them in a few months or a year and see if they spark new interest. If not, then it may be time to consider donating them or passing them on to another family who could use them.
Don’t just dump all the toys into one big box
While it may seem like the easiest solution to cleaning up your child’s playroom, avoid the temptation to just dump all of your child’s toys into one big box or basket as this is NOT the best long-term strategy. In fact, it can inadvertently cause them a lack of organizing mindset and a failure to understand the importance of respecting their belongings and surrounding objects.
When children are encouraged to keep their toys organized in specific containers or areas, they learn important skills such as categorizing and prioritizing. They also develop a sense of ownership over their toys and take greater care of them. Additionally, organizing their toys helps them to appreciate the space around them and teaches them the importance of tidiness and cleanliness.
While it may take a little more effort upfront to set up designated storage spaces for your child’s toys, it will pay off in the long run. Not only will it help to keep their playroom tidy and organized, but it will also instill important values and skills that they can carry with them throughout their lives.
Playroom organization with a theme cluster
One effective way to organize your child’s toys and learning materials is to group them together based on themes, such as color, material, or function. By doing so, your child can gradually understand the concept of logic behind each setting as they move from one corner of the playroom to the next. For example, you might have a section dedicated to building blocks, another section for arts and crafts supplies, and a third section for musical instruments.
Not only does this approach promote a more organized playroom, but it can also help with cognitive development. As children begin to recognize patterns and similarities between different objects, they can start to make connections and develop critical thinking skills.
Humble Crew Supersized Wood Toy Storage Organizer
This toy organizer makes playtime fun and cleanup easy with 16 BPA-free plastic storage bins. It has 4 tiered shelves and sturdy construction that can hold up to 20 pounds per level.
For toys or learning tools that have lots of small parts, it’s best to keep them in separate sets within a transparent container. This way, your little ones can easily see and grab what they need without having to dig through a big mess. By keeping things neat and tidy, you can encourage your child to take better care of their belongings and promote a sense of responsibility.
5.9 Qt. Plastic Storage Container Bin with Latching Lid
This storage bin is made in the USA with durable polypropylene material. Its see-through design allows for easy item identification, and its grooved lid and body create a secure stacking experience. It’s also environmentally friendly and BPA-free.
Involve your kids
As parents, we often find ourselves in a constant battle with our children’s toys. They seem to multiply overnight, and before we know it, our living room has turned into a toy store. We let them pour out their toys into a big mess to play, and then wait until they go to bed to clean up alone while they’re sleeping, because “They are gonna do it again anyway”. But this approach is not ideal, for both us and the kids.
Instead, we should encourage our kids to only take out one or two toys to play with at a time, and teach them to put them back in their designated place after each round or session. This will not only make cleanup less overwhelming, but it will also help teach our kids valuable organizational and responsibility skills.
Another great tip is to involve our kids in the playroom organization process. For example, you can teach them to group similar items together or sort their toys by color or size.
This will not only make it easier for them to find what they’re looking for but also help develop their cognitive and problem-solving skills. This, in turn, will give them a sense of ownership over their space and encourage them to take responsibility for keeping it organized and make them feel proud of their contribution.
Another benefit of involving your kids in the process of playroom organization is that it can be a fun activity for the whole family to do together. It can be a great bonding experience and also help teach kids the importance of teamwork and collaboration.
Make it fun
Playroom organization can be a challenging task, but it doesn’t have to be a chore. There are many ways to make playroom organization fun for both kids and adults. One fun idea is to turn the process into a treasure hunt. Challenge your child to find all the items that need to be put away and offer a small reward once they’re done. This can motivate them to participate in the cleaning process and make it more enjoyable.
Another one is to make a game out of it. Set a timer for a certain amount of time and see how many toys your child can put away before the timer goes off. This can be a fun way to engage your child in the cleaning process and make it feel like a game.
Using colorful storage bins and labels can also make playroom organization more enjoyable for your child. Let your child choose their favorite colors and use them to sort and organize their toys. They’ll love the bright colors and will be more motivated to use the bins.
If your child can’t read yet, use pictures to label storage bins or shelves. For example, draw a picture of a toy car on the bin where toy cars should be stored. This can help your child understand where their toys should go and make it easier for them to clean up after playtime.
Finally, singing songs while you clean can make the process more enjoyable and keep your child engaged. Make up a fun song about playroom organization or play a favorite children’s song while you clean up together. This can be a fun way to create a positive association with cleaning and make it a fun family activity.
And not only kids, make it fun for us moms as well! Playroom organization should not be seen as just another task to be completed. Instead, think of it as a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with your children, teach them valuable skills, and have some fun along the way!
Encourage your children to get involved in the process and make it a family activity. Use it as a chance to educate them about the importance of keeping things tidy and organized, and help them develop good habits that will serve them well as they grow up. By teaching them about rules and showing them what they should do, you are setting them up for success and making organizing a positive experience for everyone involved.
To sum it all up, playroom organization doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With a little creativity, you can make it a fun and enjoyable experience for both you and your child. Remember, organizing is not just about tidying up, but also about creating a safe and nurturing environment for your child to play, learn, and grow. So, take the time to organize your playroom with your child, and enjoy the bonding experience and the benefits it brings to your family.
But let’s be real, there will always be times when the little one has a bit of a meltdown after playtime and claim to be “too tired to clean up” (I’m sure that many moms can relate!)
*I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through the links in this post, at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, I only recommend products that I personally love and would use myself.
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