Implementing a Toy Rotation
Too many toys can be overwhelming for you and your child. If your child’s play area regularly looks like the after effect of Godzilla…you need a toy rotation! If your child becomes disinterested in a toy quickly before moving to the next and the next and the next and the next…you need a toy rotation!
The easiest way to do a toy rotation is to purchase tote bins. They’re great at holding lots of toys, plus they’re lightweight for easy rotation. My favorite is the 3-Sprouts brand. They come in a wide variety of cute animals which makes it easy to discern which tote should be rotated in or out. Last week we had the gorilla and the penguin out, this week we’ll switch out to the bumble bee and turtle.
Fill the totes with a variety of toys: electronic, puzzles, stuffed animals, etc. You want to ensure there is a mix every rotation.
It’s up to you how often you want to rotate and how many totes to be available at one time. You can rotate every night, every few days, or once a week. Setting a reminder on your smart device can help you remember to switch out. You’ll also be able to determine if it’s time by your child’s behavior. If they start showing prolonged disinterest, it’s time to switch!
Store the totes somewhere that’s easy for you to access, but where your child cannot reach them. Top shelves of a closet or in a locked cabinet is ideal. If your child can access them, it defeats the purpose.
Hot Tip: you can also apply a toy rotation for your four-legged family members! Switch out toys every now and then and see them light up with excitement at the “new” selection!
Review and Remove
Unused toys are large culprits of toy clutter. Every couple of months, review the toys. I do this by dumping out all the toys in the toy storage bins and put them back. Any toys that your child has outgrown, remove. Toys that your child has never liked can either be kept to see if they’ll enjoy in the future, or removed. For older children, ask what toys they do not like.
Toys you remove can either be put in storage, donated or sold.
Larger toy items like playhouses, baby swings, play kitchens, etc. can often be overlooked because they become part of the room like a piece of furniture. These are important to review. Not only will they free up lots of space, but they can become a safety concern if your child is playing with it in the wrong way. I realized this with Berry when she was using her baby swing to pull herself up. I recognized the danger of the swing rocking back and forth and potentially hitting her or causing her to fall and removed the swing.
Hot Tip: Use your smart device to set a reminder in your phone every couple of months to review toys.
Set Boundaries In the Home
Your home should not feel chaotic, but toys in every room can make it feel that way. Establish a play space or two in your home for toys. Setting up rules can help with creating boundaries. For example, if your child wants to play while the family is watching TV in the living room, allow one toy at a time. If they want to play with another, they have to put the original toy back before bringing out another one.
If you find that your child doesn’t want to play in their play area, ask them why. It could be that they want to be closer to other members of the family, have a fear of something in the space, or they’re not comfortable. You may have to relocate the play area (if possible) or adapt.
Be Consistent with Cleanup
Always be consistent with cleanup. This can be after playing, or at the end of the day before bed. Consistency will create a routine. Going a few days without cleaning up can confuse a child. Verbally say (every time), “Ok, now we are done playing we need to clean up.”
Children learn by example, which means you need to clean up your “toys,” meaning the dishes, craft supplies, etc. Express the same verbal cues when doing these activities. “Ok, I just finished using my Cricut machine, now I need to tidy up my craft supplies.”
Choose Toy Storage Wisely
When purchasing toy organization supplies, large items like tote bins or toy boxes are ideal because your child can dump all their toys in there and be done. If they have to sort their toys into tiny bins, they may become reluctant because the task is now more difficult. Toy storage should be easy access.
I love my child, but I hate how unsightly toys can be. The bright, primary colors don’t go with my home aesthetic. I’m ridiculous, I know. If you’re like me, consider purchasing bookcases with doors or storage coffee tables and ottomans. There are many options to keep toys out of sight when playtime is over! This is especially helpful when the play area shares a main part of your home. Remember, the internet pictures of perfectly organized bookcases with posed toys, are unrealistic.
