Guide to Organizing Children's Games: Less Mess, More Peace of Mind
How to create an organized and pleasant play environment, teach children responsibility for their toys, and maintain your peace of mind? Get practical tips and smart storage solutions every family can implement.
- מוריה חן
- פורסם ט"ז כסלו התשפ"ה
(Photo: shutterstock)
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The home is the heart of the family, but when children's games take over the living room, the rooms, and even the kitchen, it can feel like endless chaos. If you find yourself at a loss facing piles of toys, it's time to take command. Here are effective tips for organizing children's games so that your home remains pleasant and inviting, while maintaining your peace of mind.
Step One: Sorting and Minimalism
Before you start organizing, you need to sort. This step is critical to getting rid of toys that are unnecessary.
Initial Filtering: Go through all the toys and decide which ones the children still enjoy.
Broken Toys: Throw them away.
Old Toys Not in Use: Donate them.
Valuable or Sentimental Toys: Store them safely.
Involve the Children: The sorting process can become an educational opportunity to teach children about the importance of giving and organization. Ask them: “Which toy do you really love to play with?”
Step Two: Categorization
To maintain order over time, create clear categories.
Board Games and Puzzles: Store in clear plastic boxes with lids.
Soft Toys: Keep in large cloth baskets or foldable storage bags.
Lego or Blocks: Use plastic drawers with labels for each size or color.
Craft and Painting: Store in designated boxes with internal divisions for writing tools, colors, and additional materials.
Step Three: Smart Storage Solutions
Using smart storage solutions can make all the difference. Here are some ideas:
Open and Accessible Shelves: Adjust the shelf height so that kids can easily reach their toys and put them back.
Rolling Toy Boxes: A perfect solution that allows for both storage and easy movement around the house.
Using Walls: Install hooks or hanging storage bags for blocks or small dolls.
Craft Table with Drawers: A great solution to keep all crafting items in a defined place.
Step Four: Labels and Responsibility
To maintain order, inform everyone in the house (especially the children) where everything is.
Labels on Storage: Use clear labels with text, or even pictures, so even young children can understand where everything goes.
Simple Rules: Set a rule that a new toy can be taken out only after the previous one is returned to its place.
Weekly Check: Dedicate 10 minutes at the end of every week for a quick order check.
Step Five: Making Order a Part of Routine
The most important step is making tidy habits a part of the household routine:
Play at Defined Times: Set regular times for playing and tidying afterward.
Family Competition: Turn tidying into a game itself. Whoever tidies up the fastest wins a small prize.
Encouragement and Responsibility: Give children a sense of responsibility by praising them when they put toys back in their place.
A tidy home is not just an aesthetic matter – it directly affects the family atmosphere and everyone's peace of mind. With proper planning and the children's cooperation, you can keep children's toys organized, reduce clutter, and make the home a more calm and pleasant space. Remember, it all starts with a small step.