Toys, toys everywhere!

Preparing your house for your child can initially seem daunting, but once the child is moving around and expressing curiosity, it becomes a natural, ongoing task. Why? The child’s needs and abilities are always changing and evolving, so the living space must represent that too.

Recently I have written about preparing the house for a child. This is a very broad topic, which I have divided into more specific areas of the house. This article will consider ways to organize all of those toys!

Please see the posts listed below for other areas (this will be expanding over the next few weeks):

• To “proof” or “ready” the house for baby?
• Kid-friendly bedroom

For better or worse, the separate playroom is becoming more and more common. While having this option helps move some clutter out of the regular living space, it does not eliminate the need to have various child-centered items in each room of your house. A playroom offers a specific area where the miscellaneous activities can be stored in an organized and inviting manner. Even if a separate room is not an option or preferred choice, the same thoughtfulness needs to be put in place for considering where and how to keep all of the toys. The more thoughtful you are around preparing the space, the more inviting it will be (i.e., child will actually play with toys) and will play more independently.

Tips for preparing the play space:

1. Instead of using a toy box, which quickly becomes unruly, keep toys neatly on shelves.
2. Place all toys within easy reach for your child.
3. Avoid clutter. With toys, less really is more! Children tend to focus on just a few activities for a stretch of time. Once they stop showing interest, switch the toy out with something else that has been packed away.
4. Consider your child’s strength and coordination when choosing the location of some toys. Some big spills can be avoided just by considering placement.
5. Have a variety of storage: open shelves, baskets, trays, etc. Use small baskets for toys with multiple pieces to keep them contained, ease the transfer, and encourage returning to the correct place.
6. When everything has a designated place, your child can easily maintain the order.
7. Consider appropriate flooring for messy areas (easel, play dough, etc.) and low tables for other activities.
8. Display beautiful things from nature (or items your child has found) on a tray or in a basket.

For help choosing the appropriate toys, read Choosing Toys Wisely.