Organization for Kids: How Do You Do That?
Tackling the task of organizing your child's toys can be a daunting challenge. The accumulation of stuffed animals, toys, and even Legos can quickly become overwhelming, especially when well-meaning grandparents add to the collection.
However, with the right organization tactics, you can create a clear plan for where everything will belong in your child's space. In this blog post, I'll share my plan of attack for organizing kids' play spaces, along with helpful tips for managing specific problem areas such as storage and Lego organization. Keep reading to learn more about my process for creating useful systems that will help your child (and you) love their play spaces even more.
The Plan
An Excerpt from a Previous HP Blog: "So, How Does This Work?"
In a previous HP blog post, I shared a detailed account of my process – from the initial consultation to the final result – and explained how it can alter a client's perspective on the space in their home. Here's a snippet of that post.
“With children's bedrooms and play spaces, I give them the space to put things away. I often find that we may tell our kids to "clean up" but we haven't shown them where or how we want that done. When there is no system in place and no storage or shelves with labeled spaces everything quickly ends up in piles that frustrate you and them alike as things get lost. As I said earlier most children are willing to give away toys they no longer use or will fess up to games that have long lost the pieces to play and are just taking space. Kids aren't as nostalgic as adults can be and will admit that some toys are too babyish for them instead they would prefer to make room for a newer interest or toy. Youngest children in particular are often inundated with passed-down toys from older siblings that even they have outgrown. Using baskets, and bins, and cleaning out desks and drawers gives kids a place to put their things away and know where to keep their toys.”
Continue reading at the link above.
At the end of this process, your child will know where everything belongs and have even more space to play. Hopefully, this will result in a newfound love of your home and an adjusted perspective of what can be achieved in your space.
Storage Tips & Tricks
Label storage bins with pictures
Labels are always useful, but when it comes to children, adding pictures to the labels can be even more effective. For younger children, a picture label is a lot easier to understand than words alone. The visual cues help children remember which items belong in each bin, reducing confusion. Plus, picture labels are more enjoyable to look at and can even encourage a speedy clean-up time.
Display stuffed animals
Does your child have a love for collecting stuffed animals? Why not showcase them all in one place? Choose a cool spot in their room and set up a display area where they can be shown off. You can use a bookcase, corner hammock, or floating shelves as a starting point.
Hang up outdoor equipment
Not everyone has a garage to store their outdoor equipment. However, there is a simple solution – turn a suitable wall into a gallery to display your bikes, scooters, helmets, and other gear. This is a great way to showcase your equipment and make a statement. Ensure that items are hung at a level that your children can easily access, and adjust hooks and items as necessary. This idea is flexible and versatile, making it a beautiful and practical storage solution.
Showcase some toys and put others away
Are you familiar with the 80/20 rule? Try stashing away 80% of your kids' toys and display the remaining 20% for easy access. This approach has its benefits, such as enabling parents to swap out certain toys and introduce "new" ones gradually. This keeps children engaged with their toys and extends their lifespan.
Use toys as decoration
Who said toys are just for play? When it comes to organizing your child's belongings, consider showcasing some of their unique and interesting toys as decor. Rather than packing everything away, select a few standout items that reflect your child's personality. For instance, a handmade wooden figurine or a detailed train set can add character to the room while still keeping it tidy.
Learn to live with Legos
Legos can be a bit of a challenge for grown-ups. It's a love it or hate it situation, but if you have children in your home, chances are that Legos are lurking somewhere. The key to harmoniously coexisting with Legos lies in the storage options you implement. In this article from The Spruce, you'll discover some fantastic ideas for Lego organization, including building a Lego wall or utilizing a drawer system. By adopting and adhering to creative solutions like these, you'll notice a significant difference in your Lego storage and management.
Need some help? Let Home Perspective give you a hand.
Make the most of June with Home Perspective’s Summer Promo Special! HP is offering its services to help your child organize their room or play space. It's a perfect opportunity to give your child's space a fresh new look! Continue reading to discover the process…
“During a consult, I will spend time getting to know you and your family and seeing your house. I insist that you DON"T clean before I come over, it's better for me to see your space as you actually "live in it", that way I can access where the real problem areas build up. I love chatting with your kids and hearing what it is they need and want in their rooms. I have found that in the majority of cases the kids have very strong opinions about how they want their room to look but are also very reasonable about what it is they may have outgrown or be willing to part with.”
An Excerpt from a Previous HP Blog: "So, How Does This Work?"
Contact me to book your Summer Special or to find out more information.
Contact Ashley for more information. Email ashleyL.ingraham@gmail.com or call (443) 386-3438.
Ashley Ingraham is a very organized Mom of a daughter in Baltimore, Maryland. Always creative she was a double major of Studio Art and Education at Furman University and spent the beginning of her career as a teacher in Baltimore City. After staying home with her daughter she founded Home Perspective to share her Organization skills and life experience to make others homes and lives better. Her business has been featured in Baltimore Magazine, Oprah & Entrepreneur. When not busy helping people organize their lives she can be found at concerts all over the country or busy raising her tween daughter.