Kworld Helps You Collect Kid’s Toys

Toy storage doesn't have to be a bunch of baskets stacked alongside of a child's bedroom wall or a big open barrel stuffed with toys in the den. There are many attractive options available to make toy storage look good.

• If your child usually plays with toys in a family common area, choose storage boxes made from natural materials, like bamboo or wicker, that you can quickly and attractively display on a shelf when company comes.

• Use clear plastic storage container and label them. Although, my kids couldn’t read at first, the labels help me to quickly put away a rogue piece while tidying up. If you want the labels to work for young kids, you could include a picture of what the bin holds. Or you may want to take a photo of the toy and place that photo on the outside of the box so it's easy to know at a glance what belongs in the box.

• If you're pressed for space in a child's playroom, think of over-door pockets for small stuffed animals and other small items. Closing a closet door can quickly conceal the pockets.

• Use containers of different colors to organize different types of toys. Label containers if they are not see-through so your child can immediately identify what's inside, and where toys should be placed when they are finished playing with them.

• Place frequently used toys on low shelves. Take a cue from preschool teachers and put often-used playthings, such as blocks and dolls, on shelves your child can reach.

• Choose matching storage containers. This helps eliminate the visual noise in the room, which will instantly make it look more organized.

• Make use of the wall space. Toys can sometimes seem to consume every area of our home and sometimes, there's just not enough space. Don't forget about those often-overlooked areas under the bed and over the door. Don't forget to maximize all of your vertical space. Look for shelving solutions that can go floor to ceiling and store things your child doesn't need to access regularly on the top shelf. Choose boxes and totes that stack securely on top of one another to save the most space. Hang shelves and hooks or hanging storage basket so vertical space can work for you.

• Create a toy library. Turn a closet or cabinet into a "library" from which a certain number can be "checked out" at a time. When your child wants to switch playthings, she must bring one of her "checked out" toys back first.

Tackle Toy Storage

Example of being Barbie's Personal Organizer: Store dolls in an over-the-door shoe organizer with the most popular ones at your child's eye level. An older child can store doll clothing flat in individual zip-top bags and "file" them in an expandable folder. Stash Barbie's tiny accessories in a divided storage container, such as an egg carton.

No matter what organization solutions you decide on, make sure that your child understands that this is where the toys should be kept at all times. Help your child understand that this is his or her own space, where belongings are kept. Creating this sense of ownership will help your child stick to the storage plan.