| If you have kids in your home, organizing toys is | | | | Nets that stretch over corners can work well to |
| something you think about daily. And if your | | | | hold lots of stuffed animals. If you'd rather display |
| house is anything like mine, toys tend to take | | | | the stuffed animals so that you can see them, |
| over almost every room in your home. At some | | | | shelves are good way to go. Shelves also work |
| point during the day, there are usually toys in the | | | | well for putting away all of those containers you |
| kitchen, family room and TV room all at the | | | | have of all the smaller toys. It also works well for |
| same time. Such is life with kids. So when it's time | | | | those medium sized toys that are too small for |
| to clean up, I make sure that every one of those | | | | the floor but too big to go much of anywhere |
| toys has a home to go to. All it takes is a little | | | | else. Adjustable shelving (the kind that has |
| organization. Here are a few ideas to help you | | | | brackets that screw into the wall) that can grow |
| keep those toys organized in your home. | | | | and change as your child grows and changes is |
| Contain the smaller items. | | | | the best investment. Many adjustable shelving |
| Action figures, small toy cars, dress-up jewelry, | | | | units can be changed and modified into a |
| and Barbie dolls and accessories are just some of | | | | computer desk for older children. |
| the things that can be put in containers for easy | | | | Getting rid of the old stuff. |
| small toy organization. If you can, stackable is the | | | | Because your child is sure to get more toys on |
| way to go here. Stackable containers give you | | | | his/her birthday and at special holidays, make sure |
| more space and are easier to organize. Shoe | | | | that you schedule time to get rid of the old toys. |
| boxes (plastic or cardboard) work well for these | | | | Ideally, you want to get rid of toys that your child |
| smaller items. You can even get the kids more | | | | no longer plays with and has outgrown. If your |
| interested in using the boxes if you let them | | | | child is old enough, have them participate in helping |
| personalize them. Get a sheet of stickers and let | | | | you get rid of the toys. If you will be donating the |
| them go crazy on the box. Using different colored | | | | old toys, go through the toys with your child and |
| labels for the different boxes that the items go | | | | explain that you are giving away his/her old toys |
| into can help kids who can't read yet put the right | | | | so that a child that doesn't have toys can enjoy |
| item in the right box. | | | | them. Also explaining that he/she will be getting |
| Nets and shelves. | | | | new toys shortly can help ease the blow too. |