Let’s face it: toys have a way of taking over every corner of the house. Between birthday gifts, holiday surprises, and those random "I just had to get this" purchases, it’s easy to feel like you’re drowning in a sea of stuffed animals and plastic parts. The good news? You can tame the chaos. Here's how to organize your kids’ toys in a way that actually works, because Pinterest-perfect bins in the middle of the living room aren’t always the answer.
Step 1: Clear Out the Unused Toys
First things first: less is more. Grab a coffee and set aside a chunk of time to go through all the toys. Separate them into piles: keep, donate, sell, and toss. If your kids are old enough, let them help decide what stays and what goes, it teaches them the value of decluttering. Be honest: if it hasn’t been touched in months, it’s probably time to let it go. Bonus tip: once the clutter is gone, you’ll find it’s much easier to organize the rest.
Step 2: Use Bins for Smaller Items
Bins are your best friend when it comes to keeping small toys under control. Group similar items together, blocks in one bin, cars in another, and so on. But let’s be real: open bins don’t work for everything. If you leave tiny pieces out in the open, they’ll end up all over your floor. Opt for bins with lids or drawers to keep things contained, at a minimum, ensure the bins are not overflowing. Label them for easy cleanup, and don’t worry about making it Instagram-worthy. The goal is functionality, not perfection.
Step 3: Keep Larger Toys Accessible (But Not Everywhere)
Some toys just don’t fit neatly into bins or cube shelves, think train sets, play kitchens, dollhouses, or even that mini drum set that somehow made its way into your home. For these larger playsets, consider dedicated surfaces like large shelves, tables, or even a corner of the room where they can stay assembled and ready to use. Train tables are great for keeping tracks and accessories off the floor, while dollhouses and kitchens can live against walls where they’re accessible but out of the way.
As for cube shelves, let’s be honest: they’re not a one-size-fits-all solution. They’re fine for small or medium-sized toys, but larger items often don’t fit, leaving you frustrated and the shelves looking cluttered. Instead of forcing things to fit, get creative. Use adjustable shelving or repurpose a sturdy bookcase to accommodate bigger items. Giving each type of toy a specific home, whether it’s on a shelf, table, or the floor, makes playtime easier and keeps your space looking more intentional.
Step 4: Hide the Rest, Seriously
Let’s talk about visual clutter. Cute baskets on shelves might look good at first, but when toys are spilling out of them, it’s just another mess. Use closed storage solutions like cabinets, drawers, or even furniture with built-in storage (hello, storage ottomans!). This keeps toys out of sight and helps you reclaim your grown-up space. Out of sight doesn’t mean out of mind, it means out of your living room’s aesthetic disaster zone.
Step 5: Store Craft Supplies Where the Action Happens
Craft time can be a wonderful way to keep kids entertained while encouraging their creativity. But if craft supplies are scattered around the house or tucked away in hard-to-reach places, they’re less likely to get used, and more likely to create a mess. A smart solution? Store kids’ craft items in dedicated kitchen cupboards or a nearby cabinet.
Keep supplies like crayons, markers, glue, and paper in labeled bins or caddies that are easy for kids to grab when they’re ready to create. This setup allows your children to work on crafts at the kitchen table or counter while you’re cooking, cleaning, or baking. It’s a win-win: you can keep an eye on their progress (and prevent glitter or paint disasters) while staying productive yourself. Just be sure to reserve a specific shelf or drawer for craft supplies so they don’t invade your kitchen essentials.
It's About Balance
At the end of the day, organizing toys is about finding a balance that works for your family. Keep what you need, store it in a way that makes sense, and don’t stress about creating a showroom look. Your home is meant to be lived in, after all. A little effort upfront can make a big difference in keeping the chaos at bay, and let’s be honest, that’s about the best we can do as parents.
