It was just last week when I was listening to a podcast on keeping a tidy home when the moment of inspiration hit me—the toys in our house aren’t so tidy after all!
For as organized and as routine-oriented as I like to be, the toys certainly fell by the wayside.
So I decided to get busy and go through the toys in our home, minimize, organize and see what happened.
It really was miraculous because something totally changed that day with my son. He started to thrive in some amazing ways!
Which begs the question…
How can simple toy organization help toddlers thrive?
Less distraction means increased focusing.
With the toys scattered everywhere, toddlers can experience a difficult time playing with a set of toys for any length of time. With toys grouped among like toys, the light bulb turns on.
In our situation, it was as if my son was saying, ‘Oh, this is what I am going to play with right now.’ He wasn’t getting a glimpse of a bunch of other toys scattered all around the floor to entice him to move on to other things. He started focusing longer on a given set of toys.
Improved decision making.
With things organized in various bins, it was so much easier for him to decide what he wanted to play with. Originally all the toys were grouped in one giant toy basket. Too many toys at once can overwhelm toddlers.
Afterward, the toys were grouped in 3 small bins with similar toys. The remaining toys were put in the closet for later rotation. When given a choice of toys to play with, he was quick to choose, rather than rummaging through everything and not really playing at all.
More appreciation of all toys.
Toy organization helps toddlers see with eyes wide open the toys that are actually available. With our prior system, all the toys were stuffed in one large toy bin, and he was unable to see all the hidden treasures underneath the top layer.
Afterward, he seemed to enjoy his toys so much more. Many of them probably seemed brand new to him as they’d been buried at the bottom of the toy bin for weeks or more.
Provides a clear direction and purpose for play.
I think setting a clear direction for play can help toddlers better enjoy play. Like I said before, it can be so overwhelming looking at all the toys in one big pile and not know where to begin.
So for example, putting all the cars in one bin helped him play more intentionally and purposefully with them. He became more creative with all the cars as a group than if he only had one or two cars in mixed in with tons of other toys.
Now, I’m not saying that he shouldn’t play with different toys at the same time. However, allowing him to play with a set group of similar toys seems to help him get more out of less.
Finally, how to get organized.
I kept it real simple.
I simply grouped similar toys into 3 small toy bins in our home. One is in the living room and the other two are in his room. The books went on the shelf, and all the bath tub toys are tucked away nicely in the little blue basket suctioned to the bathroom tile wall.
That is all. No crazy Pinterest or Super Mom organization required!
All the remaining toys were tucked away in the closet for future rotation and use since we all know toy rotation helps all kids learn and engage better with “new” toys.
Although if you are looking for some totally awesome toy organization inspiration, check out my Pinterest board!
Conclusion.
Organizing your toys can help reduce clutter in your home, in addition to helping your toddler thrive during play activities.
My son was better able to enjoy playtime and focus a given activity. He was happier, my house was less cluttered, and we both THRIVED.
What are your best tips for organizing toys?
Do you think toy organization has a positive effect on toddler play?
You may also like…
I've created a free email series just for you! If you are struggling with finding a routine, rhythm or schedule, this email series will help you find one that will work for YOUR family. Yes, really. I've seen my sample routines work time and time again for parents. I know it can work for you too.
This free email series will help you:
- Free sample routines for your child
- Best morning routine tips and tricks your kids will actually follow
- All-time favorite parenting hacks for getting more cooperation at bedtime
- Step-by-step guide for using a printable daily schedule with kids
Ana Lynn
I enjoyed doing this when I was a kid (not that you can tell that my organization love dates from my childhood from some of my posts *ahem*) and I am working on teaching my kiddos the same tactics and things! Awesome tips Lauren!
Lauren Tamm
I was organized as a kid too 🙂
A Mother Far from Home
Love this! And I absolutely love that cute little photo at the top! I agree that when toys are organized the kids focus and actually get into playing with that one toy!
Lauren Tamm
Completely agree! A little bit of organization has really transformed our playtime together.
Charlee
Seems like I’m going to be organizing the toys this weekend! Thanks for the tips. I really need to figure something out for my tot. Have any tips for sharing toys with younger siblings? 😉
Lauren Tamm
I wish I had some amazing wisdom about sharing toys. That is a realm we haven’t really entered yet. But seriously, I do feel like toy organization and downsizing really makes a difference. Always great to see you here Charlee. Thanks for stopping by.
Lauren
normaleverydaylifeblog
We’ve always used bins for the toys too and it makes clean up and storage so easy. Rotating toys helps and even moving them to a different room to play in can drum up new interest. Also, as they get older, if you say you want to get rid of a toy, that’s a guaranteed way to make it their new favorite for at least a day! 😉
Lauren Tamm
Oh my goodness. That is such an awesome tip, Marie…talk about getting rid of toys, which suddenly increases the value of the toy to a child. A friend of mine was attempting to purge the kids’ toys in the house. She put them in the garage. And a week later if a child wanted a toy back they had to describe it and she would go and get it. After a month, she got rid of all the toys left in the garage. It was a great way for her kids to slowly get rid of attachment to all these toys, and minimize the toys without kids having a major meltdown.
balmtomysoul
Oh, you should see my girls closet! I have all the bins, and none of the toys are even in them! It is not really funny, but if I don’t laugh about it then I may pull my hair out. I do think having order and organization is good for the kiddos. I am great about a schedule and having a plan, but not so great at organization and order with other things…like toys, closets, and drawers. I have been meaning to ask, both you and Brittany, what does your blogging schedule look like? Do you have the same one daily? I would love a few tips. I have been trying to find the balance, but am struggling to do so with “real life”. If you have an article or post, let me know! Love to learn.
Lauren Tamm
Ha. I totally understand. It’s not easy keeping toys organized, even with one kid in our house. I seriously try to hide as much as possible in the closet. If there isn’t anything to make a mess with, then he can’t make a mess. Although he does like to rummage through the kitchen cabinets and empty them all completely. Sometimes organization isn’t a perfect process, right? Meh. It all works out in the end. I will email you about the blogging schedule stuff. It would be so much fun to chat with you about blogging.
Lauren
Sarah
Great post. I am in the midst of organizing the playroom with my preschooler. She told me she has too many toys and wants to give some away. It’s been a great way for us to go through everything together and get organized. Like you I’m seeing more focused play, its wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
Lauren Tamm
Thanks Sarah! I am really enjoying less clutter and a little bit more constructive playtime with my son. It’s a work in progress, but it’s definitely improved! Thanks for stopping by.
Lauren
Clare Swindlehurst (@SuperMommyClub)
I think it is a great way to help a toddler focus. I just have a real hard time keeping the toys organised – I think because we have far too many! I put them all away in Ikea Expedit boxes and just have a couple of things out – but then my kids just go and empty the boxes and the stuff ends up all over the house!
Lauren Tamm
I totally relate. It’s not easy keeping toys organized, and there are definitely days where things just get shuffled around in various baskets. But I just keep shoving more and more into the closet, lol. My son is too little to be able to get things out of the closet yet. So I’m sure I’ll have a few organization adventures in my near future. Thanks for stopping by Claire and thanks for sharing my toddler sleep post on your FB page this week!
Lauren
Ashlee @ The Normal Mom's Guide
I love this! We recently moved from a 2,000 sq foot house in the Midwest to a 1000 sq foot, 2 bedroom apartment in the PNW, and had gotten rid of a lot of things before the move. Once we got here, I got rid of even more toys and just brought her collection down to what she actually played with and I couldn’t believe the difference it made with her. Great post!