How To Control Those Toys – One Simple Solution

One day I asked my daughter, “What happened there are toys every where?” Her reply “My brain made me do it, I just can’t help it, it just makes me do these things!” How can you not crack up laughing with that answer!

But I have a secret weapon called “bins”. They come in a variety of sizes and colors so decorating around them not an issue.   I pull out the bins and say time to pick up… then leave and when I come back later, viola her brain made her pick up.

I get this question a lot how do I keep their toys organized.  When I first became a parent I tried all the labels and cute small versions of not sized properly bins that perfectly sorted everything. Trying to keep up the appearance of that “I don’t really have kids”. What I discovered after many tries was … I would be there helping pick up all the time annoyed at my kids and they were not happy at all. Kids play, they make messes so create a system that works for them and a room that works for them is the best solution. Spend a day with each child figuring out what works for both of you. Have your child explain as you sort together how they want their bins to be is also key. Once you include them in the process it helps make them that little bit more independent. I would start that process when they are about 3. Great age when they want to really be Mom’s helper. These bins should be large so have doll bins, lego bins etc… not too detailed because honestly they are just going to dump it out all over the floor the next day anyway.

Here are my favorite bins I love to win with the Toy Wars. Storage Bins that actually work!

Vessla Storage Crates with Casters… They can be rolled around and stored anywhere; the top lid has a slot so you child can open it or put smaller items through. They come in a few colors. These were my daughter’s barbie bins and son’s car bins.

Ikea

For the girly girl love these for dress up clothes, doll stuff…

Swoozies

A great natural feel and love the metallic woven ones!

Serena and Lily

Hampers and Laundry Bins are sturdy and durable, great for little ones… Not like when we were growing up, they now come in a variety of colors and sizes get them wide or tall depending on where you will be storing them. Wide or square works better for under hanging clothes in closets and tall fits great in corners or just lined up against the wall freestanding in the room. When you have them out as part of the room decor,  stick with one style/color or two.

 I prefer to use the old school laundry baskets in closets or in closed storage

PB Teen | Target | Container Store

Looking for great fun patterns I found these online. The photo at the beginning of this post  is one of few I got from Home Goods. Those you have to buy them when you see them they don’t stay in stock for very long. 

Improvements Catalog

Happy Everything! Karen

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