It seems like the playroom is the one space that is always on the to-do list. As the Mom of a toddler, I’ve learned it’s inevitable that the house is going to get messy during playtime. This isn’t a bad thing, since kids need to play in order for them to learn and for us to create memories as a family. Part of being a parent is figuring out how to keep up with the extra clutter in your home. It can seem overwhelming at first, but here are 4 tips for decluttering the playroom and making playtime more functional for the whole family!
1. Throw away the trash and cheap toys that they won’t miss
When your kids aren’t there, take the time to throw away low-value toys your kids don’t play with regularly. We all know there are plenty of random toys that find their way into the playroom that we never wanted our kids to have in the first place, and these just take up space! Throw away anything that isn’t good enough quality to be donated, like cheap items from goodie bags, puzzles with missing pieces, or broken crayons. These are easy decisions you can make for your kids and these items won’t be missed.
2. Have your kids choose their top 20 toys to keep
Get your kids involved by having them choose 20 toys they would invite to a special party! These will be their favorites they get to keep and will ensure they only choose the toys that are meaningful to them. There can be some toys that don’t count in the total, like Legos, art supplies, blocks, or books, but it’s still a good starting point for your kids to get them thinking about which items they really want. Remaining toys you can get rid of or donate, and everything that’s staying in the playroom your kids can help organize. It’s a great way to get your kids involved and teach them the value of having a tidied space!
3. Use storage bins to keep organized
When the toys aren’t in use, they should be organized into storage bins based on type, toy collection, or functionality. Keep the messier items like arts and crafts or puzzles out of reach if you want your kids to ask before using them. For other toys, you can label bins either with words or pictures if your kids are younger. Use open bins on easy-to-reach shelves for easy access and cleanup! This not only ensures the space is kept clean, but also safer if you have toys with small pieces. No one wants to step on a Lego! It’s also a safety precaution if you have smaller children, so toys are kept off the floor and no one puts anything in their mouth.
4. Tidy up with your kids after dinner
Once you have your playroom decluttered, how can you keep it organized? Make tidying up after dinner a family affair to make it feel like less of a chore and more like bonding time. Play a silly clean-up song or make it a game! Set a timer for 3-5 minutes and pretend you’re racing to finish cleaning up before a tornado comes. It only takes a few minutes and makes such a difference for you and your kids. Of course, there will be some nights it just doesn’t happen, and that’s okay! Trying to put things back a few times a week is a great place to start.
Kids are the same as adults in the sense that having a clean and organized space makes them less anxious and more productive. Too many toys can be overwhelming for kids and can make it difficult to find something to play with at all. Too many choices can be distracting, so having an organized space with less clutter can really make playtime more fun. Teaching your kids how to keep an organized space and learn how to declutter are lifelong skills they’ll take with them into adulthood. It’s exciting to start young and make your home a more functional space for you and your family!
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