By:Samia Anwar

Do you ever feel like you are drowning in toy clutter?

Toys and playrooms are meant to inspire learning not overwhelm. Take control of your toy clutter with the following systems that work well for
younger children who can easily get overwhelmed by endless play options.

This guide is for you if;
? You have children and their stuff has taken over your home.
? Your children have too many toys & too many little things everywhere.
? Little people have taken over and it’s driving you crazy!
? It feels like you’re spending all your free time trying to get organized.
? You feel you aren’t getting anywhere.
? You don’t know where to start.
? You feel stuck and need direction & guidance.

1) Rotate the toys

Offer a limited number of toys for your kids to play with and store away the rest. Witness the genuine excitement every time you pull out a rotating bin from your secondary toy storage. If you see your child is simply not interested in a particular toy after rotation, consider this an opportunity to donate. Remember! Less is always more.

2) Invest in toy storage

Keep the quantity, sizes and shapes in mind when investing in toy storage before you invest in storage systems. Make sure you label the solutions for each child to maintain the system.

3) Develop a daily toy cleanup routine

Follow a tidy-up routine at least at the end of each day to ensure things are tidy for the next morning. This also eliminates the chance for piles of toys accumulating in the play area.

4) Make sure your kids know where and how to put away the toys

Kids can be great helpers if they know where do the toys go. Have you noticed how books and toys are mostly in place at the libraries (with minimal maintenance)? They have labels and pictures of items displayed on bins so even pre-reader can help put things back in the designated bin.

5) One in One out system

This does not only apply to clothes and accessories. Try asking your child when you get him/her a new toy, “You`ve got a new toy that you love.
Which toy from your collection do you think can be donated to make some room here?” You may try having a conversation about giving and sharing if the child doesn’t seem to be ready to give away.

6) Limit the number of toys that come into your home

New toys are often gifts. Most children don’t buy toys for themselves, someone else does. We don’t need to purchase toys for our kids every time
we purchase presents/toys for birthdays and party invitations from friends and family. No ungratefulness is intended here but it is perfectly acceptable not to accept gifts on birthdays and play dates. If grandparents are filling your home with toys, consider asking for gifting experiences or use a gift registry. From museum memberships to sporting passes, gifting experiences can give your kids more than just another object for their playroom. It helps build skills, creates memories, and provides fun for the entire family.

7) Keep an eye out for junk

Any plastic items that break easily and sharp items can be a tripping hazard. I do discreetly toss away toys that are broken or missing parts, goodies that come from birthday parties, puzzles that are missing pieces frequently. These small things prevent access to the toys kids really love.

By implementing these systems, you and your kids will be pleasantly surprised by how much they enjoy having fewer things. While it may seem
like a time-consuming task, it is well worth the time saved cleaning and organizing in the future, and the freedom you will feel when you break free from the stuff that has been ruling your life. The goal here is to simplify.

About the Author: 

Samia Anwar is a contributor at Muslimmoms.ca. She writes on home management, fun activities to get kids involved in house chores, how-to guides to staying on top of things, tips and tricks to stay organized and share recipes. She is the mama of four wonderful kids who chose to help other women by starting her own business of Professional Organizing. Her passion and struggles became a reason for what she is today. She loves being able to improve the quality of life for those who are ready to bring in a positive change. She believes that by living intentionally we can create a life where we can have more time;

~ To spend with our lovely families
~ To practice our faith
~ To work on our passions
~ To give back to the community