Description

• If you have more than one toy area, consolidate it into one.
• We recommend not keeping toys in children's rooms unless that is the only place available to store them. The toys can be a temptation at nap or bedtime or if you use their bedroom as a time out area.
• Go through all of the toys and decide what you will give away, donate and throw away. You can probably give away more than you think.
• We like toys that encourage creativity such as, colored scarves/fabric, blocks, dress up clothes, kitchen food or pots/pans. These toys can be used for more than one activity and you don't need as many toys.
• Toys that do all of the work for your child, are not considered a creative toy.
• Get rid of all of the fast food toys and toys that don't get played with.
• A small amount of toys should be available to play with. Pack the other toys away. You can rotate the toys on a regular basis. If your child is looking for a toy that's packed away, they will need to wait until it comes out otherwise you will always be digging for toys.
• Once you've pared down your toys, decide on one place where you will store the toys.
• Store toys in bins to prevent frustration when it's time to clean up.
• Place like toys in labeled bins or containers. Use pictures and words to label the bins so children can help put things away.
• Teach your child how to put things away before they take out a new toy.
• If you are on the fence about giving away a toy, place it out of your child's sight and if they don't ask for it in six months, give it away.
• Some families run into the problem of relatives giving them toy after toy after toy. Encourage these relatives to purchase a book, or unique craft item instead. Also, encourage them to spend time teaching your child something they did as a child. That is a lifelong gift.