How to keep toys and playrooms organized

The question:

My kids have puzzles, Lego, train sets, Barbie dolls and countless other toys with what seem like thousands of parts. Help! How can I keep them all organized?

The organizing expert answers:

Remember all those plastic tubs with lids you bought on sale? You know the ones -- stacked in your closet or trunk of your car? This is the time to put them to good use!

Blocks, doll clothes, small toy cars, Tinkertoys, Play-Doh, and all the other loose items floating around the house belong together. I strongly recommend using shelves with tubs of different sizes as opposed to toy boxes. Toys last longer when they're stored gently and not stacked, and the kids can find things more easily. This reduces boredom, and makes for fewer trips to the toy store, as well.

Small plastic shoe boxes are perfect for Legos, Barbie clothes and accessories, and Hot Wheels cars. Find the totes a size larger with handles on the top for easy carrying to and from the play area.

Larger tubs hold blocks, play food and dishes, and other pieces that just seem to multiply in the night.

Save the large tubs for train sets, car tracks, doll accessories, and sports gear.

Flat under-the-bed boxes are wonderful for out-of-season clothes and toys. Most closets are not large enough for toys and clothes, so why not store unused toys as you would clothing: kites, beach gear and baseball equipment is stashed during winter months; football, hockey sticks and ice skates are stored during the summer.

Try to buy clear tubs for easy viewing, or label with words (see a handy labeler here) or pictures for younger children. If they can't see what's inside, chances are they won't use the toys within the nicely organized containers. Kind of defeats the purpose, don't you think?

Get creative, and let the kids help you label the boxes with photos or magazine clippings of the items. This is a good rainy day project, and promotes reading skills for the little ones.

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