How do you sort your child's toys?
Summary
Children accumulate a mountain of toys! Puzzles, dolls, figurines, cuddly toys... Their bedrooms are often overflowing with them, and of course they also invade the rest of the house, piling up in boxes with no real organization. The problem with too many toys? You end up not using them at all. With so many to choose from, children don't even know where to turn their attention.
Would you agree with this statement? Then it's time to sort out your child's toys! To restore order, get rid of unused toys and create a more pleasant living space, it's time to sort. But where to start? Which toys should be kept, given away or recycled? Let's find out.
Why is sorting children's toys important?
Toys play a vital role in a child's development, stimulating his or her creative spirit. But let's face it, an abundance of toys can sometimes be counterproductive. The number 1 cause of clutter in a child's bedroom: toys reduce the available play space. They lie on the floor and accumulate on the shelves. Attracted by novelty, children end up neglecting their toys, overwhelmed by too many options.
Can you relate to this, or would you simply like to sort your child's toys? Regular sorting helps to recreate a healthy and stimulating play environment. Not to mention that it adds value to your little one's toys and helps him to organize them better.
The right way to sort children's toys
Define your sorting objective
The way you sort your toys depends on what you want to achieve. Start by asking yourself the right questions and defining your sorting objective.
- Are you going to resell or donate unused toys?
- Do you want to free up space in your child's bedroom?
- Do you want to make it easier for your child to play in certain areas of the room?
- Do you want to organize toys by category for greater accessibility?
A clear objective will guide you through the tidying-up process.
Opt for a sorting method
Now that you've determined the purpose of your storage, you'll need to get organized. There are several ways to sort toys:
- By size: you can put small children's toys in one cabinet and larger toys separately;
- By frequency of use: it's a good idea to place the most frequently used toys within easy reach, and put the others away;
- By type of play: to get your child into the habit of tidying up and knowing where to look, separate educational games and construction sets, sort out cuddly toys, etc. This will make it easier for him to find the right toy for his needs. This way, it will be easier for him to make a choice when the time comes to play. For books, opt for a children's bookcase with an organized reading corner.
- By color: this playful method can help develop sorting skills in the youngest children.
Putting toys away in an organized way
Toystore - Storage unit from OEUF NYC
There's no point in sorting toys if you don't have suitable storage for your child. For a baby, for example, you can save space and organization by opting for a clever piece of furniture. A large children's wardrobe, a changing chest, changing tables with storage or designer shelves... The choice is vast. There are many design solutions to decorate the bedroom while making it functional. All you need to do is choose the right storage unit, a shelf or two and a few accessories such as small bins with lids, baskets, chests, boxes or crates.
At Rêves & Merveilles, we work with parents to create rooms with a modern decor, making them places of enchantment and rest. We believe that the right choice of decor can combine the practical with the pleasurable, allowing your children to feel safe and secure in a personalized bedroom.
Cuddly toys and masquerade costume: a cabinet for every toy
Cuddly toys and masquerade costume quickly accumulate. It's impossible to mix them with the rest of the toys. It's hard to fit them on a basic shelf or in a dresser. Specific solutions are needed to organize this type of toy.
If a few stuffed toys can fit on a shelf or on your child's bed, there's no question of overloading the space. Instead, opt for an attractive piece of wooden shelf furniture like the one offered by New York-based Œuf NYC. With its eco-design positioning, this brand is ingenious and offers child-friendly storage solutions.
For costumes, reserve a place for them in your child's wardrobe. Hanging on hangers, they'll stay well cared for and preserve all their beauty.
Donate or resell: the second life of your toys
Every piece of Rêves & Merveilles furniture is sustainable, with a choice of eco-responsible materials. While furniture survives the years, our little ones' toys deserve a second life, rather than ending up in the garbage can. Think about reselling them or donating them to children in need. It's a great way to teach your children about generosity!
How often should children's toys be sorted?
We recommend sorting toys once or twice a year. This can be a good activity to do during school vacations or rainy weekends. Involving your child in the process is all the more worthwhile, as it will help them learn how to make choices and appreciate and understand the value of their toys.
How can you involve your child in this task?
Involving your child in the sorting process is a good thing. You can, for example, explain why it's important to sort toys and make it a fun activity.
A little idea to get your child involved? Turn sorting into a game by timing how long it takes to put away a category of toys. It's also a great opportunity to talk about generosity by selecting together the toys they'd like to donate. To make the experience even more engaging, explain who will benefit from these toys: another child in need, an association or a school.
