9 Proven Strategies for Toy Organization

Finding the best strategies for toy organization can be challenging, especially when the clutter seems out of control. No matter what type of toy you’re stumbling over, it can be frustrating, at the very least. If you’ve ever stepped on a Lego in the middle of the night trying to find your way to the bathroom, you know exactly what I’m talking about!

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Ideas to Cut Down Toy Mess Around the House

As board games, video games, and other kids’ toys accumulate, mom and the rest of the family typically agree it is time to find the best ideas to get them back where they belong in the playroom or kid’s bedroom when not in use.

Most times, toy clutter creates toy chaos. The following are simple ideas for overcoming the frustration of tripping over Lego blocks, toy cars, and everything in between.

1. Limit the number of toys being played with at one time

Once the limit is reached, toys must be put back in their correct place before getting others out.

This makes it easier to clean up or put away when needed.

A good rule of thumb is only to allow your kids two or three toys each, plus a few additional items, such as craft supplies and books, for their reading enjoyment.

2. Declutter frequently

Once a month, search through the kids’ toys and remove any broken, odds-and-ends animal pieces, items from fast food meals, etc.

Donate outgrown toys every six months.

Make it a habit to discard one toy when bringing a new one home.

When I donate, I check with local churches first, especially those with preschools, to see if they need any of the kid’s toys we are donating.

Next, I contact the local women’s shelters because they often house kids with their moms. Lastly, I go to a drop-off donation center like the Salvation Army or Goodwill.

3. Have fewer toys

When there are too many toys, they are more difficult to organize, creating a greater need for exceptional toy organization ideas.

Having fewer toys is the secret to keeping your house clutter-free of toys lying around in the living room, bathroom, and what feels like every room.

Have you ever felt that toys were overtaking your house no matter which room you went to?

I can’t stress enough that fewer toys equate to less mess!

There are several ways to minimize the number of toys:

• Declutter them regularly
• Throw out the ones that are broken
• Get rid of duplicates (this is common after a birthday and holiday)
• Toss the ones with missing pieces
• Donate, sell, or store the ones your kids have outgrown (if they have younger siblings)
• Ask family and friends to give non-toy gifts for Christmas or birthday
• Get rid of decor that matches a themed bedroom (which usually has at least one matching stuffed animal and wall art) when you move on to something different
• Divide sets of toys and hide part of them in drawers, a bin under the bed, or in a closet, donate them, or add them to a toy rotation schedule so there aren’t so many available at one time (such as blocks, refrigerator magnets, Lego sets, etc.)
• Quit shopping for toys at dollar stores or garage sales – when they are less expensive, we have a tendency to over-buy
• Graciously decline free toys from friends and family if they are not something you think your kids will really love and play with

4. Establish a toy rotation system

This is one of the best ways to organize kids’ toys when it’s done consistently.

Creating a toy rotation system is a simple solution if you have too many toys or your child becomes bored quickly.

If you have ever watched a child with a new toy or board game, they act like heaven was just hand-delivered to them!

On the other hand, when littles play with the same toys day after day, they get bored more easily even though they don’t express it in so many words. Just watching how they lose interest after a few days of getting a new toy is the perfect example.

Establishing a toy rotation system is one of the most fun and effective toy organization ideas, and it is also a simple process.

If set up correctly, a toy rotation system will minimize the number of toys pushed into a corner or strewn around the house.

If you haven’t heard of it before, toy rotation means you will rotate the number of toys available to play with at any time.

We store the items not being used in a place where the child cannot reach them, such as the garage or under a guest bedroom bed where they don’t typically play.

When the ‘new’ toys come out, the ‘old’ ones are put away.

I have found a 4-week rotation (weekly 4 times a month) to be the most effective.

However, every family and child is different, so you must use trial and error to find a good rotation schedule for daily, weekly, monthly, or something in between.

Tips to Organize the Toys

There are many toy organization ideas you will come across. In fact, these ideas are almost endless.

As a former school counselor, teacher, and parent, the following ideas are the best I have tried and found success using.

Each one will work independently or combine several for the ultimate organization in several rooms in your home (not just your child’s bedroom or playroom).

Once you decide which ideas to pursue, you can create a plan to complete the task and have your kids playing in their newly organized area in no time.

1. Give each toy a ‘home’

Keeping toys in order does not differ from finding each one a ‘home’ (a basic decluttering skill.)

When one is not being used, it should be snuggled into its home, waiting for its turn to be chosen.

Not only does this keep the play area looking neat, but it also offers predictability for kids so they know exactly where to find a toy when they want to play with it.

It also teaches kids how to be neat and organized when it is time to clean up.

Depending on the layout of your home, you may need to have several places for toys in your home to keep the mess minimal in each room.

Most kids want to play where you are, not off in their room alone.

2. Use containers & bins

The best toy containers use a cube or bin (or several of each,) baskets, plastic containers, DIY shelving, or an under-the-bed organizer.

The typical organizer is made of pressed wood, natural wood, or plastic. All choices can be functional, depending on the playroom or kid’s bedroom decor you want to use.

If shelving is not available in the closet, one idea is to create some, another idea is to get a bookcase to sit inside or outside, and another is to use fabric hanging shelves as an option.

Cube bookcases are also a brilliant choice! They provide style along with the organization.

You can set larger toys on the shelves independently or use organizing containers and stack several on a shelf together.

3. Use hanging storage

Keeping things off the floor is the best way to use all your living areas and push aside the feeling of a ‘messy’ home.

It doesn’t have to take more furniture to get things in order.

Following are several clever tips for using this type of storage for toys.

One way mentioned above is to hang shelves in the closet.

Another option is hanging mesh space savers, corner toy hammocks (which make excellent stuffed animal storage), or my favorite over-the-door shoe organizers (which can be hung about anywhere – not just on a door.)

Another option that can be a fun (and almost free) project to complete as a family is to build DIY floating shelves to match the playroom decor. They also make a nice display of special toys or stuffed animals.

They look great with the proper supplies and directions, use wall space, and offer a unique way to organize toys that many don’t think of.

This type of shelf is perfect for keeping games and art supplies organized in the playroom.

4. Don’t overflow bins or overcrowd shelves

If you overload the organizing containers, it defeats the purpose of organizing from the get-go.

You want your kids to find the toys they want to play with easily, and if the bins or containers are overflowing, it will only cause frustration (labels can help).

When kids get frustrated or can’t find what they are looking for, they dump everything on the floor to find what seems to miss, causing a mom to want to pull out her hair.

This is especially true with small toys that fall to the bottom.

Now, another mess has been created!

If the toy containers are overflowing, it is time to divide them into smaller categories, donate or sell some of them, or declutter.

Over-the-door shoe organizers are among the best toy storage ideas most people don’t think of.

The see-through ones are super for little eyes, and they don’t take up any extra living area, so you can use it for other stuff (or keep it empty!)

5. Make toys easily accessible for your child’s height

When your child gets past the toddler stage, he/she could likely be ready to choose what they want to play with.

This is also a great time to teach the of putting toys away before others come out, and using an organized system is the best way to start this positive habit.

If the toys aren’t easily accessible, kids usually try to get to them independently, like climbing on a chair or stool.

6. Organize similar toys together 

I call this categorizing similar or related items.

You can do this in several ways to save time during cleanup.

• Group similar toys, for example, noisy ones, the same color, etc.
• Group toys of the same type, such as tractors, Hot Wheels, cars, etc.
• Group toys that are educational, such as puzzles or crayons and colored books
• Group toys that do similar things, such as building, which could be blocks, Legos, etc.

My favorite way to group toys together is #2 because, if kids are playing with trucks (for example), they typically want several different ones.

7. Get rid of the toy box

Toy boxes have their place for toy storage in only a few instances.

The best storage ideas for a toy box are balls and larger outdoor-type toys, and they can be good for stuffed animal storage.

Using a toy box may cause more of a mess than if you didn’t even have one.

Toy boxes do one thing: They get the toys off the floor and hide them temporarily until your child is looking for a specific toy. Then, they are all unloaded back to the floor to get to the bottom and find the specific one they have in mind.

If you have a toy box in the playroom (or anywhere in the home, actually), I recommend reading up on the latest ideas, revamping your toy storage, and opting for several smaller storage bins, baskets, a DIY storage box, drawers, etc.

8. Use simple & age-appropriate labels

If you have gone into many elementary school classrooms, you likely noticed several spaces with baskets, a bin or two, boxes or bags, or stacks of containers, each with its own label specifying what was in it.

Why?

Because using labels is a system that works!

You can organize your kid’s toys, color books, and craft supplies in the same way so they are quick and easy to access.

After you have them categorized and put into containers, completing the process by adding an image and writing about what is inside the baskets or containers is simple. In the long run, you will love the time this will save.

PRO TIP: Using labels that include a picture of the items in the storage container and the word is the beginning of teaching your child letter recognition.

9. Establish an age-appropriate organizational system

The best storage solutions are those that the whole family can use and adhere to consistently.

Whatever toy storage ideas you use, keep them simple enough for kids to understand and follow.

Therefore, I prefer to categorize similar toys based on what they actually are rather than as educational or something similar.

A younger child probably does not understand what an ‘educational’ toy is, making it difficult for them to help clean up when it’s time and you put similar toys in the same cube, bins, or baskets.

Most Asked Questions About Toy Organization

How do you organize a lot of toys?

Organizing a large number of toys can be a daunting task, but with the right strategies and storage solutions, it can be made much easier. Here are some tips to help you organize a lot of toys:

1. Sort toys by category: Begin by sorting the toys into categories such as puzzles, board games, dolls, cars, stuffed animals, etc. This will make it easier to find specific toys and keep them organized.
2. Purge unused or outgrown toys: Go through them with your children and decide which ones they no longer play with or have outgrown. Donate or sell these toys to reduce clutter and make more space for the toys they still enjoy.
3. Use clear storage containers: Invest in clear plastic storage containers with lids to store each category of toys. Label the containers clearly so it’s easy to find what you need and put toys away after playtime.
4. Utilize vertical space: Use vertical space by installing shelves or hanging organizers to store toys that are not used as frequently. This will help clear the floor space and make the room look less cluttered.
5. Create a designated play area: Set up a specific area where your children can play with their toys. This will help contain the mess and make it easier to clean up after playtime.
6. Rotate toys: Rotate toys every few weeks to prevent boredom and keep the play area fresh. Store some toys away and bring out others to create a sense of novelty and excitement.
7. Involve your children in the organization process: Encourage your children to participate in the organization process by teaching them how to sort and put away their toys. This will help them develop good organizational habits and take responsibility for their belongings.
8. Use toy boxes or baskets: To keep smaller toys or those that don’t fit into categories contained, use boxes or baskets that your children can access and put away.
9. Use furniture with built-in storage: Consider investing in furniture pieces that have built-in storage, such as ottomans with hollow insides or benches with storage compartments, to maximize space and keep toys out of sight when not in use.
10. Schedule regular cleanups: Set aside time each week to tidy the play area and ensure all toys are in their designated places. This will help maintain the organization system and prevent the accumulation of clutter over time.

By implementing these strategies and finding the best storage solutions for your space and your children’s needs, you can effectively organize many toys and create a more enjoyable and functional play environment.

How do you organize a toy clutter?

1. Sort toys into categories (e.g., dolls, cars, puzzles)
2. Purge unused or outgrown toys
3. Use labeled storage containers or bins for each category
4. Designate a specific play area for toys
5. Involve children in the cleanup process
6. Regularly rotate toys and purge as needed to maintain organization

How do you organize toys categories?

When organizing toys into categories, it’s important to create a system that is both practical and easy to maintain. Here are some steps to help you organize toys into categories:

1. Assess the types of toys: Start by gathering all the toys and assessing the different types you have. Make a list of the main categories, such as puzzles, board games, dolls, cars, stuffed animals, building blocks, art supplies, outdoor toys, etc.
2. Create subcategories: Within each main category, create subcategories as needed. For example, within the “dolls” category, you might have subcategories like “Barbie dolls,” “baby dolls,” and “action figures.” For “art supplies,” you could have subcategories like “crayons,” “markers,” “paints,” and “craft kits.”
3. Consider age and skill level: If you have children of different ages or skill levels, you may want to further categorize toys based on these factors. This will make it easier for each child to find toys that are appropriate for their age and abilities.
4. Determine storage solutions: Once your categories and subcategories are established, decide on the best storage solutions for each type of toy. For example, puzzles and board games can be stored in boxes or on shelves, while stuffed animals might be better suited for a large basket or bin.
5. Label storage containers: Clearly label each storage container with the category and subcategory of toys it contains. This will make it easy for children to find what they’re looking for and put toys away in the correct place after playtime.
6. Use pictures for younger children: If younger children can’t read labels, consider using pictures to represent each category. You can take photos of the toys or use clipart images to create visual labels for the storage containers.
7. Involve your children: Encourage your children to participate in the categorization process. Explain the different categories and subcategories, and have them help sort the toys into the appropriate containers. This will help them understand the organization system and take ownership of maintaining it.
8. Be flexible: As your children grow and their toy collections change, be open to adjusting your categories and storage solutions to accommodate new types of toys or changing interests.
9. Review and purge regularly: Periodically review the toy categories with your children to identify any toys that are no longer played with or have been outgrown. Donate or sell these items to keep the categories manageable and prevent clutter from accumulating.
10. Maintain the system: Encourage your children to put toys back in their designated categories after playtime. Set aside regular clean-up times to maintain the organization system and ensure toys are not scattered around the house.

By categorizing toys in a logical and practical manner, you can create a more organized and enjoyable play space for your children while also teaching them valuable skills in categorization and organization.

Where do you put all kids toys?

1. Designated play area or playroom
2. Labeled storage bins or baskets
3. Shelves or cubbies
4. Under-bed storage containers
5. Hanging organizers
6. Toy chests or boxes
7. Storage ottomans or benches
8. Closet space with easy-to-access bins

The key is to have a designated space for toys and use appropriate storage solutions to keep them organized and easily accessible for children.

How do you declutter old toys?

Decluttering old toys can be a challenging but rewarding task. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you declutter old toys effectively:

1. Involve your children: If your children are old enough, involve them in the decluttering process. Explain the importance of keeping only the toys they truly love and use, and encourage them to make decisions about which toys to keep, donate, or discard.
2. Sort toys into categories: Begin by sorting the toys into categories such as stuffed animals, action figures, dolls, cars, puzzles, etc. This will give you a clear overview of what you have and make the decluttering process more manageable.
3. Assess each toy: Go through each category and assess each toy individually. Consider factors such as the toy’s condition, age-appropriateness, and sentimental value. Ask questions like:

• When was the last time your child played with this toy?
• Is the toy broken or missing pieces?
• Does the toy have significant sentimental value?
• Is the toy age-appropriate for your child’s current stage of development?

1. Create piles: As you assess each toy, create three piles: keep, donate, and discard. Place the toys your child actively uses and loves in the “keep” pile. Toys that are in good condition but no longer played with can go in the “donate” pile. Broken or incomplete toys should go in the “discard” pile.
2. Be ruthless: It’s easy to hold onto toys for sentimental reasons or because you think your child might play with them again in the future. However, be honest with yourself and let go of toys that are no longer serving a purpose. Keep in mind that donating toys can bring joy to other children who will appreciate them.
3. Properly dispose of broken toys: Sort toys into the “discard” pile based on their materials. Some plastic toys may be recyclable, while others may need to go in the trash. Check your local recycling guidelines for proper disposal methods.
4. Clean and repair kept toys: Take the time to clean the toys you decide to keep thoroughly and make any necessary repairs. This will help extend their lifespan and make them more appealing for your child to play with.
5. Organize and store kept toys: Once you have your final selection of toys to keep, organize them into categories and store them in designated spaces. Use storage solutions like bins, baskets, or shelves to keep the toys easily accessible and neatly arranged.
6. Regularly reassess: Decluttering toys is not a one-time event. As your child grows and their interests change, regularly reassess their toy collection and repeat the decluttering process as needed. This will help prevent toy clutter from accumulating over time.
7. Avoid overbuying: Be mindful of future toy purchases to maintain a clutter-free toy collection. Avoid overbuying and focus on quality over quantity. Encourage friends and family to give experiences or practical gifts rather than more toys during birthdays or holidays.

By following these steps and involving your children in the process, you can effectively declutter old toys and create a more organized and enjoyable play space for your family.

Final Words for Methods of Toy Organization

Toy organization doesn’t have to be a continual challenge.

Have fun creating an inviting place for your littles to play and spend their time so that when it is time to clean up, they are on your side and know exactly where everything belongs.

They will love it when they have something specific in mind and know exactly where to find it!

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