Toy overload

[zen39]

I agree with playfelt, categorizing toys into play stations i.e. blocks and puzzles in one center; dress up, kitchen in another center and a book center help to keep toys within those areas. I've also reduced the amount of toys I have out and rotate on a weekly basis. I also don't keep buckets/bins out full of little pieces i.e. I have probably over 50 little people, but i'll put a bin next to the little people playhouse with only 10 little people...that way we're not tidying up a ton of little people.


Again as playfelt said, I also have higher shelves with bins that have potato head pieces / stringing blocks / people / animals etc that our out of reach. If they want to play with it, I bring it down and they play with it on the carpet area. I do the same for puzzles. I have lots of wooden puzzles but I don't keep them all out, otherwise they just pull the pieces out and dump them on the floor. Instead, I'll put one at their little table and seat a child there and they can work on it there.

I encourage them to play in the "designated" areas and not carry toys all over the playroom...sometimes we're successful, sometimes we're not. Mine are young but they know how to clean up the toys except for my 14 month old.