a secret of the universe: toy organization

I am about to totally brag. And if it bothers you, I apologize. But I have unlocked a secret in toy organization that I wish I had figured out four years ago. Instead I have been stepping on toys in the middle of the night for almost five years, and wondering how on earth we could tame this mess of duplos, puzzle pieces, doll house toys, thomas trains, blocks, kinex, lincoln logs and game board pieces. But I have done it! And I want to tell you how.

It should also be noted that our farm house doesn't have a livable basement (it's limestone from the 1890's) or a play room. If we had a separate room for toys we might have a different system. But because our bedrooms are our playrooms, we had to figure something out.

I know I've already shared the toy organization I implemented three weeks ago (there is a picture in that post). But I just have to say it a little clearer, because it has changed our lives. OUR VERY LIVES!!! It began with a weekend of throwing and giving a lot away, sorting like items into storage bins, and labeling every container. (The labeling has been a nice feature for babysitters or cousins so they can help with the clean up too.)

But now, this is how it actually plays out in our day-to-day:

First, the toys are up high. They are in the kids' closet, which is the only closet in our home. No kidding. But the kids can't reach them and this is key. Any toys that are accessible are going to be scattered on the floor, so none are accessible. (Except their books, which they are suddenly very interested in, as there are no other choices! Awesome!) This even means the food that goes with the play kitchen is out of reach. And the marbles that go with the marble run. Everything is inaccessible.

Second, each kid can choose three items for Quiet Play Time. Each day after lunch (usually around 1:00) both kids go to different rooms to play for 90 minutes. 60 minutes alone and then 30 minutes together. Ivar has his own timer that he sets and takes this job very seriously. And each day they can select new toys. I think what this changes is that they are focused on only three choices to play with. And they play for so much longer! When all toys were out and accessible I think they were overwhelmed with what to do with their time. Or the room was so messy, nothing looked fun at all. But on their clean floor those three choices are very clear and suddenly they play hard. Sometimes longer than the 90 minutes!

Thirdly, clean up is obvious. They know exactly where to put their toys when it's time to clean up. Sometimes we pick up right after Quiet Play Time, other times just before bedtime. But they know they have to have their three items picked up, and know right where to put the items.

And forth...I really know what my kids like to play with. And what they have no interest in, at this time. This is helpful for Ivar's birthday gifts...he loves kinex and looking at the booklet to copy a creature they have pictured. He is so proud. I think he has graduated from duplos, but he is definitely on to Legos. He spent much of Labor Day at Mimi and Papa's building houses and buildings and just picked out a step-by-step Lego book at the library.

All in all, it is a bit more facilitating on my part. I have to be up there to get toys up and down. But three weeks in, and I haven't had to pick up a single toy! Not one! Mothers of the world, I have cracked the code. And it might sound rigid or strict, but somehow these boundaries have brought order to our chaos and fun back to our playtime. My kids love it as much as Rory and I do. It might work for you too.