Today, my challenge for you (after a ton of requests) is to organize your childrens toys. If you dont have children, you can organize a hobby area of yours.
My Challenge for you!
Im not going to go into detail here about the steps you need to do today. The main thing I want you to do is to categorize and containerize!!! If you have a label… it will work perfectly on this challenge. Im excited to see what you all inspire me with today.
Here are my challenge pictures (to give you a little inspiration)…
This subject always used to give me a headache… but now that I have organization perfected, I no longer worry about “TOYS”. With my first daughter, I thought a toy box was the answer. I later found out that was the worst thing you could buy if you wanted to keep toys in order & under control.
I found these bins at the Target dollar section (My favorite store)
The key is to containerize EVERYTHING! Plastic shoe boxes are a wonderful invention. If it falls under the toy category, you can containerize it (unless its jumbo size… then stear clear). I have a container for all of the following toys in my toy room… and I labeled them all. I removed all toys from their original boxes/containers (yes, I know that was hard to do) and put them in the plastic boxes. It was much easier to stack and easier for the kids to utilize.
1. Polly Pockets
2. Lincoln Logs
3. Little People
4. Doctor Kit
5. Mr. Potato Head
6. Strawberry Shortcake
7. LPS
8. Fisher Price Loving Family
9. Play Food
10. Play dishes
11. Coloring Books
12. Crayons/Markers/Paints
13. Moon Sand
14. Dress up Shoes
15. Horses
16. Matchbox Cars
17. Barbies
18. Disness Princesses
19. Flash Cards
20. Playdoh Tools
In a perfect world, all of the containers would be matching… be we dont live in a perfect world. 🙂 Its just not necessary for the kids.
Now if our kids could actually read the labels and pick up after themselves (thats a whole different story).
Jen from I Heart Organizing shared this idea… to containerize dvds, cds, and video games. I loved the idea so much, I went out and bought 4 of them. You can purchase them at The Container Store.
The movies are on an inventory list (you can download this from iheartorganizing). I put them in alphabetical order. They are numbered and placed in the file box where the sleeve is also numbered. Its really easy for the kids to find a movie to watch. They just look on the clipboard. Thanks for the idea Jen!
Our Movie Inventory List
Favorite childrens books are on the shelf for easy access.
The Wii system is neatly placed on a game organizer (purchased at a garage sale for $1.00)… thanks Amy!
Finally, Baskets are another great classic organizing tool.
If you are new to the challenge, click on the button below to see what it’s all about and join in!
Link up to Day #9 Challenge (Toy Organization) below…
Tags: toy organization
21 day challenge, Organize, Other Spaces, toy organization Posted in
30 comments
30 comments on “Day #9 ~ Getting Organized Challenge (Toy Organization)”
*sigh* I’m so far behind its not even funny…… this is really hard to keep up with an infant!
*takes a deep breath*
I have to admit that I actually like that the containers don’t match. It looks more colorful and kid friendly, yet still very organized.
Tonight, I talked with my sister about your site. She is just like you in so many ways!! I think that is why I like your site 🙂
She is a very clean and organized person. Everything has a place and everything is labeled.
I hope she doesn’t mind me sharing this. You mentioned “Now if our kids could actually read the labels and pick up after themselves (thats a whole different story).” My sister actually takes a picture of the contents of the container and puts the picture on the container, along with the label.
Thanks for another challenge! I have a jump start on this one and can’t wait to share once I am finished!
This covers a few areas in our house! I’ll be busy! I love that cabinet! I am looking for an entertainment center this year. Where did you find that one?
Oh no, not the playroom. Guess I had better get started so I know how many containers I need.
@ Paige It looks pottery barnish.
You can find the plans to build one. Google Ana White.
A great idea about labeling the containers, with a preschooler at home and an eight year old, I use avery labels and put a picture of the toys and words on the label. So both the kids can find what they need pretty fast and clean up is even easier….
I REALLY need to clean up my kids’ rooms, but I wish this had been the challenge for Saturday b/c I have 2 kids & I’m gonna need 2 days for this. I’m going to do my craft area today instead & put off the kids’ rooms for another day. I need to get a few bins for their shelves anyway.
I have a 9 month old and I’m always wondering the best way to disinfect his toys without the chemicals, but I don’t always feel like soap and water really disinfects. Do you have any products that would work well for kids toys? Is there info on your website??
Staci
Staci, We have Basic H but its not a disinfectant… cleans well. We also have Basic G and its a disinfectant. You need to rinse thoroughly after using the basic g though. If they are able to get wet, I would use Get Clean Automatic Dish wash soap and run the toys through the dishwasher. Thats probably the best solution… The ones that cant go in the dishwasher, you can wipe down with germ off wipes from Shaklee. Hope this helps. 🙂
Toni
for Labels on my toy bins, I print out a picture with the words…so younger kids know by looking at the pic. Has worked for me for years!
I love love your toy organization. I wish I had the space to make my son a playroom to store all of his toys. Right now, most of them are in a storage tote in the living room, in his playpen, or on the bookshelf in his room.
You did a fantastic job!
Thanks for the tips!! 😉 … and the sweet comments.
~Toni
Loving this series! I just posted a picture of the ongoing “Lego pickup” we have been working on, for months and months! Legos are SO difficult to organize! We have 99% of it complete.
I am loving the daily eye candy you have been providing! I am impressed over and over and over again! I am in heaven each and every visit!
xoxo,
Jen
Jen, Your toy room is one of my favorites. Thanks for linking it up!! 🙂 Toni
I love all the separate containers! especially that they are all different 🙂
For our son we have the big boxes and they look a mess!
Thanks
Oh wow! I’m just getting started with the challenge today and I’m already lovin’ your tips and finds!
I’ve gotta have some of those DVD storage boxes! ♡ it… 🙂
I love this post! I am also jealous of those great bins you got at Target. Our dollar section doesn’t ever have great stuff like that! I’m so glad I heard about your blog, I will definitely be following it. 🙂
About the dvd’s and cd’s… do you throw away the covers? If not what do you do with them. I often think about saving them but then there is no point in using the sleeves. But then if I toss them resale is harder and you can’t see the order of songs on cd’s.
I am interested in your solution.
I didnt organize my cds. I probably wouldnt throw away the cd covers since the songs are on the case. I only put my movies and games in the organizer! 😉
Yes, toy organization – thank you!! I’m in the midst of it all but I’m working on a post to share when it’s in a little bit more order. It’s harder to do when having a home daycare and renovating…
This is a challenge I really want to tackle, but it’s going to take me some time to gear up. Thanks for all your hard work and wonderful ideas; I linked to you tonight to give my readers some inspiration since I haven’t done this one yet 🙂
WOW! That’s a long of organization!!
I love these ideas-I’ve started but it’s not that organized! I love the movie log!
I am loving your site! Could you tell me where you got the white book cases that are pictured above? They look perfect for toy storage.
Thanks!
Jennifer
Where did you get the hutches?
Home Depot. 🙂
Getting prepared for the toy organization day. We have three small children, and even more toys. It’s a nightmare! I love the shoe box idea. I wanted to share that The Container Store has an awesome deal on shoe boxes. They sell them in bulk 20 shoe boxes for $33.80. I will be ordering so that they are here when I am working on the toys.
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/dorm/storage/storageBoxes?productId=10000166