The shopping is done, the gifts are unwrapped and now that the holidays are over -- your family has acquired more stuff! Our tween boys now have new gadgets, games and gizmos. As I look at our playroom closet trying to figure out where to put all this new stuff, it hits me that it is time to let go.
And, by let go, I mean let go of the idea that our tweens still play with the trains, cars and building blocks that fill up and clutter our closet. I've been holding onto all their childhood toys for sentimental reasons and now we are running out of playroom space. It is a new year and time to take action transforming our playroom. I want to create a space that better reflects the boys current interests and is a fun area the boys and their friends enjoy going to hang out.
If you are like me, it can feel overwhelming to know just where to start, so Macaroni Kid talked to local professional home organizer, Joy Loving Ridenour at Joy Loving Homes to get some simple tips on how to tackle organizing your playroom. Joy is a mom of four kids, so she understands first hand the need of trying to stay organized while juggling a busy family life.
Joy says the biggest tip she gives parents when working with playrooms is to set up a toy rotation system. Joy recommends pulling out all the toys and dividing them into thirds. Pack away 2/3 of the toys in the attic, basement, or closet the kids can’t access. Toys can be rotated through from now until schools out. Switch to “new” toys during the summer. And then switch again for the fall through Christmas.
According to Joy, studies show that kids with fewer toys have more creative/imaginative play, spend more time in the playroom and are better at cleaning up because the playroom never gets overwhelming for them.
Work with the remaining 1/3 to set up a playroom where your kids will love to play! Once you have the toys pulled out that are staying, follow these basic tips from Joy:
1) Sort toys into broad categories (micro-organizing everything just leads to frustration).
2) Use bins with open lids for ease in both getting toys out and in putting them back.
3) Clearly label each bin with words or pictures so that there is no confusion during clean up time.
Finally, Joy says have at least one area in a playroom where creations can stay out for up to a week at a time. Nothing spoils creativity or feeds frustration more than having to clean up mid creation. Series play can occur when houses or lands are left out for the next day to pick up right where they left off!
Now that I have these tips from Joy, it is time for me to put them into action and clear out some space in our playroom. But, maybe I will try to convince my tween boys to play with those matchbox cars just one more time before I give them away...
