Hula Hoops=toy mess solved :)

[Dreamalittledream]

Just thought I'd share this concept...working so well for me
Another poster shared a great idea of using Hula hoops (or you could use mats too) to segregate individual play zones. I was having an issues of the babies destroying another's block towers, for instance or toys being brought out but not put away when done. So, I've hung the hoops on an easily accessible shelf by all and rotate the 10 bins on that shelf monthly (the other bins are already made up and stored away). All of the children know that to start an activity bin they must grab a hoop first (& I only have 3 on purpose to keep my floor fairly clear). The babies (& other children) know not to touch toys within that hoop. Then, when done they put that activity back in it's bin (no missing pieces, yay!), start another or simply put the hoop back on it's hook. It works like a charm!!

Some things in my bins:

Connect Four game & shapes game
Medical kit/ambulance/fire engine/little people emergency personnel
Animals with farm & click together fence
Alphabet wooden train
Kinex Junior
Mr. Potato Head
Foam interlocking pieces to form a garden
Peg boards
Magnetic letter/number/word leapfrog fridge toy
Blocks (megablocks, wooden & foam)
Train tracks and trains
Car tracks and hot wheels cars
Puzzles
Shapes sorters
Magnetic activities (with a cookie sheet)