As a mother of four children and one foster child, I have seen my fair share of toys over the years. Now it is also fair to say that the “toy” days are behind me now as my youngest turns 16 in a few short weeks. Nowadays toys in our home consist mostly of video games, laptops and iPods, with several family games still kicking around that everyone still loves to play (neatly placed on a shelf, of course)!
I also have some old favourites and good quality toys that I don’t want to part with. These I keep in opaque Rubbermaid-type containers that are clearly marked and easily accessible for when young ones visit the home. I suspect those containers will stay around until grandchildren pitter patter at our front door – preferably not for a few years yet!!
Through my years of child rearing, I learned a few valuable lessons. Good quality toys are well worth the investment and will last years with a little extra care and attention. Once you have invested in a good toy, store it in a good container! Keep the container see-through and manageable for small children. Avoid the use of large toy boxes as they are a dumping ground for everything and will damage toys over time.
Stuffed animals can be hung in a soft sided hanger, or hammock that is hung on the wall – this will keep them off the floor and less likely to take over the bed.
Now that you have invested in good toys and good quality opaque containers, it is time to find a place for them. Cube-type shelves are perfect for assigning containers and larger toys, keeping everything in its place, or even a well secured book shelf can do the trick. Label or place a picture of the toy on each shelf and your child will be able to replace the bin or toy easily, making cleanup a breeze! The bonus here is you set them up for life in the organizing department! TIP – Ikea is a great place to start when looking for this type of shelving!
Art centres are also great when your child is old enough to start colouring, drawing and playing with play dough. A plastic multi drawer system (available in any Walmart, Staples or Home Depot ) or even a book shelf with small containers on it, will serve the purpose and will help keep all supplies in good order, accessible for small hands and fun for everyone. You might want to keep this art centre away from the bedroom; a corner in the kitchen, family room or playroom might be better. My children always enjoyed a day at home when I made a fresh batch of play dough; they would grab the drawer with all the tools that ensured play dough would be fun, such as cookie cutters, rolling pins, shapes etc., and for a few hours anyway, they were entertained. (see my recipe for Play Dough).
Like other things in your home, give toys their own space. Whether it be in a bedroom, playroom or family room, take the time to set up areas for your child and you will reap the rewards – easy cleanup, better use of toys that you do have, and less frustration when it’s time for play. Periodically clean out the toys and throw away any broken ones or those missing valuable pieces. As your child grows, so will his or her need for toys – soon you will be storing away that valuable Lego and Barbie doll set for your grandchildren too!
Home-Made Playdough:
In a pot combine:
1 Cup Flour
1/4 Cup Salt
2 Tbsp Cream of Tartar
Add:
1 Cup Water
2 Tsp Food Coloring
1 Tbsp Veg. oil
Cook over medium heat for 3-5 minute.
Store in an airtight container.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012 Heather Burke
