Plan the Perfect Playroom

Having a dedicated play space at home is awesome for kids – but can be a nightmare for parents to clean up. Here are some tips to help keep your playroom a fun and organized space.

Create Centers

Keep like toys together and categorize areas by activity. You could have an “Engineering Shelf” that holds all the blocks, LEGOs and Magnatiles; “Dramatic Play” keeps all costumes and role playing toys; and the “Art Corner” is full of crayons, paper and stickers.

Having designated zones makes it easier for your child to put items in the right area at clean-up time.

Use Transparent Bins, or Label With Pictures

If your child can’t see what is in a storage bin, he’s likely to dump the contents on the floor to find out. Use clear storage bins so the items inside are visible, or label the bins with the words and a picture of what goes inside. Labeling toys is a great way to build early literacy skills!

Make Your Storage Multi-Task

If you have a zoo of stuffed animals, use a product like the Stuff ‘n Sit to easily corral them while creating a cozy space to sit.

The Stuff ‘n Sit holds all your child’s soft toys and transforms into a bean-bag-like ottoman. It comes in a variety of fun colors and prints like dinosaurs, floral, polka dots and stripes.

You can even use extra throw pillows, blankets and favorite dress up costumes to fill up the bag and create a perfect space to snuggle up and read.

Another way to get double-use out of storage is to use lids as play surfaces. Hot glue a LEGO board to the lid of your LEGO bin. Attach a small baking sheet to the lid of a magnet bin.

Consider Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are great for a toy room because they leave floor space open for playing, and can be customized to the perfect height for your child.

If you use traditional shelving, make sure to always anchor the furniture to the walls in case your child attempts to reach the top shelf on their own.

Less is More

Don’t feel like you have to fill up every inch of space with toys. Select a manageable number and stick to that limit.

You can keep extra toys in a large storage container and rotate them every few weeks.

This will keep your child interested in the toys longer, and leave less chance of a huge mess up to clean up every day.