| If your house is anything like mine, toys tend to take | | | | lots of stuffed animals. If youd rather display the |
| over almost every room in your home. At some point | | | | stuffed animals so that you can see them, shelves are |
| during the day, there are usually toys in the kitchen, | | | | good way to go. Shelves also work well for putting |
| family room, and TV room all at the same time. Such | | | | away all of those containers you have of all the |
| is life with kids. So when its time to clean up, I make | | | | smaller toys. It also works well for those medium sized |
| sure that every one of those toys has a home to go | | | | toys that are too small for the floor but too big to go |
| to. All it takes is a little organization. Here are a few | | | | much of anywhere else. Adjustable shelving (the kind |
| ideas to help you keep those toys organized in your | | | | that has brackets that screw into the wall) that can |
| home. | | | | grow and change as your child grows and changes is |
| Contain the smaller items. | | | | the best investment. Many adjustable shelving units |
| Action figures, small toy cars, dress-up jewelry, and | | | | can be changed and modified into a computer desk |
| Barbie dolls and accessories are just some of the | | | | for older children. |
| things that can be put in containers for easy small toy | | | | Getting rid of the old stuff. |
| organization. If you can, stackable is the way to go | | | | Because your child is sure to get more toys on his/her |
| here. Stackable containers give you more space and | | | | birthday and at special holidays, make sure that you |
| are easier to organize. Shoe boxes (plastic or | | | | schedule time to get rid of the old toys. Ideally, you |
| cardboard) work well for these smaller items. You can | | | | want to get rid of toys that your child no longer plays |
| even get the kids more interested in using the boxes if | | | | with and has outgrown. If your child is old enough, have |
| you let them personalize them. Get a sheet of stickers | | | | them participate in helping you get rid of the toys. If |
| and let them go crazy on the box. Using different | | | | you will be donating the old toys, go through the toys |
| colored labels for the different boxes that the items go | | | | with your child and explain that you are giving away his |
| into can help kids who cant read yet put the right item | | | | her old toys so that a child that doesnt have toys can |
| in the right box. | | | | enjoy them. Also explaining that he/she will be getting |
| Nets and shelves. | | | | new toys shortly can help ease the blow too. |
| Nets that stretch over corners can work well to hold | | | | |