If you’re lost and looking for all the things you need to know about how to organize kids toys, then you’ve come to the right place!
Are you tired of stepping on Legos or searching for missing puzzle pieces in a sea of toys?
Toys seem to multiply like, well, bunnies, and keeping them organized can feel like a never-ending battle.
As a busy parent, the chaos of toy clutter can add unnecessary stress to your already hectic schedule.
You need solutions that are realistic, functional, and that fit into your already overflowing list of responsibilities.
Organizing kids toys leads to easier clean-up and less stress but it also promotes independent play and fosters a sense of order in your home.
And no… it’s not just up to you to organize them either! I find that taking a little time to organize kids toys can be a game-changer (pun intended!).
In this article, we’ll explore some practical toy organization solutions tailored for busy moms.
I understand the struggle. How many times have you spent all that time cleaning only to find the house is upside down again in a matter of hours?!
Hey, hello… me too, all the time! And that’s only if you get around to cleaning. What about all of the times when it just seems to pile up and up?
I’m not promising Instagram-worthy cleanliness here. But even if you don’t have much time, the smallest steps towards toy organization can reap big rewards.
Imagine clean-up time becoming a breeze (okay, maybe not a breeze, but definitely less of a hurricane!).
Plus, when your organized play space encourages independent play for your little ones, it will give you a much-needed break.
Even when you’re short on time, there are still ways to tackle the toy clutter monster. We’ll explore some quick and easy strategies on how to organize kids toys.
You’ll get some great tips for creating a storage system that works for your whole family.
Lastly (and most importantly), make sure that you select the organizing ideas that work for you, your family and your schedule.
You by no means need to implement all the things here! Not everything here will work for every household either.
I know you’re busy so let’s get into everything you need to know to organize kids toys.
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The Most Important Step to Organising Kids Toys
The most important phase is decluttering and reducing your amount of toys. You can take your time on this one if you choose to but it really doesn’t need to be that drawn out if you don’t have time.
Decluttering is the first step as once you have removed toys that aren’t needed, it makes the whole organization process quicker.
Depending on your child’s age, you may actually like to involve them in this process. But you’re the best judge of their character so be mindful of the can of worms you could be opening!
When decluttering to organize kids toys consider the following:
- What toys do your kids actually need?
- Which toys haven’t they played with in a while?
- Can you put some toys on a rotation (more on that below)?
- Which toys can you donate?
- Which toys can you sell?
- Which toys are beyond donating/selling/recycling and need to be thrown out?
- Do your children want to sell their toys for pocket money, such as at a garage sale? My older son loved this however my younger one was not into it at all!
Sometimes I get torn over whether I should or shouldn’t donate or throw out toys.
Parents tend to grow attached to many of them, particularly if they’re toys the kids played with in their much younger days.
In this case, I have an area or a box where I store these toys out of sight.
A little while later, if the kids haven’t asked for them and I am now comfortable moving on from the toy, then I will donate/sell/recycle/bin.
The interesting thing is that for all of the times I have done this, there have only been two times when my youngest has asked about a toy.
I did bring it back for a short while but then it was forgotten about and put back into the box.
All of the toys I have ever put into this box have been donated or thrown out (if not in a good state to donate).
I think that just goes to show how much unnecessary stuff we accumulate and don’t need at all!
How to Organize Kids Toys: Storage Spaces
There are many things to consider when it comes to the areas and spaces where your children’s toys are kept.
For many of us, this is simply wherever it needs to go, out of necessity. However, it’s always good to keep the following things in mind:
- Where will your children play with their toys?
- Will they be stored out of sight (therefore unlikely to be played with)?
- What do you have to work with? A playroom? Closet? Drawers?
- Does the room you’re storing toys in have multiple uses?
Ensure your children can access their toys. Think about height, and if they can open or carry containers etc.
I’ll admit that there are times when out-of-sight storage is called for. However, the more kids can see their toys, the less likely they will forget them.
Consider the areas and rooms where your children play. Sometimes having toys in every room will actually make our lives much easier too!
Organizing kids toys with lower shelves, open bins, and floor storage is great for the toys that are used regularly.
Methods for Sorting & Organizing Kids Toys
Playing Zones
Designate specific areas for different types of toys, such as a reading nook with bookshelves or a craft corner with art supplies.
When my kids were younger, I had a quiet corner in my office where they could read, colour and make simple crafts. This made getting on with work for me a little easier.
Playing zones help to keep toys organized and also encourage kids to engage in different types of play.
Storage Bins & Baskets
Organise kids toys by using storage bins and baskets. Opt for clear bins or labelled baskets to make clean-up time a breeze.
Other options also include pouches, fabric bins and shoe organizers.
In some rooms, it might be better to go for bins that aren’t clear. However, the more clear containers you have, the better it is for accessibility.
Ensure the placement of your containers can be easily accessed by children.
Utilising bins and baskets is a great way to store toys in rooms throughout the house whilst still keeping some order.
Choose containers that are lightweight enough for young children to carry around. Avoid overly bulky bins that might be difficult to lift or maneuver.
Labelling Containers
Labelling your storage containers will encourage and assist your children in cleaning away their toys. Using picture labels for younger children works really well.
I have also created some free printable toy labels that you can use to attach to your containers!
Vertical Storage
In any storage scenario, vertical is always my favourite! It’s often forgotten about but it’s always there!
You can mount shelves and cabinets on the wall. Use hanging shoe storage. My youngest son has a hanging storage net for all his teddies that I love.
It’s so hard to store the teddy bears! I got mine from IKEA but it doesn’t look like they sell them now, it was just like this mesh hanging compartment storage.
Multipurpose Storage
Aside from the typical storage containers, if you’re particularly short on space you can try furniture with hidden storage.
Think toy chests that double as bench seating; sofas and ottomans with lift-up/hidden storage; or beds with built-in drawers.
If you don’t have drawers in your beds yet you still have space under the beds, you can use storage containers under the beds.
This is where I keep the clothes my older son passes on to his brother, but toys will work too!
Rotating Toys
Implement a toy rotation system to prevent toy overload and keep playtime fresh and exciting.
Store unused toys in bins or closets, and periodically rotate them with toys currently in use.
This not only minimizes clutter but also reignites your child’s interest in their toys.
How to Organize Kids Toys: Categories
Organizing Kids Toys: Type
Most toys can be sorted into categories such as Lego, teddy bears, books, coloring, music, dolls, cars etc.
I find it can get a little difficult when you have some toys that are large in size compared to the rest of them. In this case, you may need an additional storage solution.
There are always toys that don’t seem to fit into a category too. I have a bits-and-bobs box for this that has evolved over time.
Sometimes these toys will end up finding a category as you start to accumulate more.
To help you with organising kids toys I have created some free printable toy box labels.
These have a heap of categories that you can sort your toys into. You can then attach the labels to storage containers and boxes.
Organizing Kids Toys: Age
Sometimes it can be overwhelming for kids if they do not have age-appropriate toys at their fingertips. When I say age-appropriate, it’s more about their developmental age.
When sharing a house with brothers and sisters this isn’t always easy to do in the common areas.
Having a designated space that is theirs and is age-appropriate encourages longer and more focused play.
I always liked to have a sprinkling of slightly more challenging toys. If it was too frustrating then I would remove it however I believe it’s a great way to challenge them for growth.
Many times my boys surprised me and I was glad I included something a little more difficult for them.
Organizing Kids Toys: Colour Coding
Use colour coding sparingly with younger children as they need to be able to organize their toys in the same way. I find organizing kids toys into colours such as Lego is perfect!
I did go through and organize my son’s Lego by brick type… big mistake and a total waste of time. He never kept them organized this way. Sorting in colours is much easier.
Other toys that suit colour coding include building blocks and art and craft supplies such as construction paper, embellishments and paints.
Final Thoughts on Organizing Kids Toys
You don’t want to be the only one putting effort into keeping the toys organized.
Encourage your children to help sort and categorize toys, teaching them valuable organizational skills in the process.
Make organization fun by turning it into a game or challenge, and celebrate their efforts with praise and rewards.
Some things to help you stay on top of organizing your children’s toys include:
- Involve your children in the cleaning process and ensure they are given age-appropriate tasks
- Implement quick cleanup routines after playtime
- Make up fun games and songs during cleaning
- Declutter regularly to avoid clutter build-up
- Lastly, keep it realistic… focus on progress, not perfection
I find the way that I organize kids toys evolves over time. As the children get older and the toys change you may need to mix things up and try something else.
Remember that implementing just one small thing can have the greatest impact.
I hope you found these suggestions for organizing your toys helpful. I’d love to know which one works best for you.
Perhaps you have a tip for everyone that isn’t listed here? Let us know in the comments below!
Other resources you may like:
FREEBIE: Laundry Care Label Chart for Your Wall
FREEBIE: Zone Cleaning Task Schedule & Checklist
ARTICLE: Chores for Kids by Age That Actually Work
ARTICLE: 59 At-Home Boredom Buster Activities for Kids
MY SHOP: Children’s Reward Charts & Schedules
