When you have kids, it might feel like every room in your house has turned into a playroom. Toys seem to magically multiply and take over your home. The best way to reclaim your house is to make one room or small area into the playroom or play area. Even more important than helping you stay organized, you'll be creating a special environment that's safe and kid-friendly.
Organize the room. When you're having a tough day, just getting the toys put away seems like a major accomplishment. Organization is the key to making it easier. As a first step in organizing the playroom, get on your hands and knees and try to see the room from your child's perspective. This will help you determine how best to store his toys as well as identify the potential dangers in the playroom. Organize the room so your child can easily reach his toys, thus eliminating the temptation to climb to get something he wants, and allowing him to safely explore his space. (Learn more about furniture straps.) Lots of handy storage makes it easy to put toys away where no one can trip over them.
Make organizing fun. You can turn the job of organizing a playroom into a fun project for you and your child. One simple approach: Buy some sturdy plastic containers with lids that snap closed. Working together, fill the containers with different items, such as books in one, toy cars in another, and toy animals in another. Next, look in magazines for photos of the items in your containers and cut them out. Using glue labeled "nontoxic," "washable," or "for school use," attach the photos onto the corresponding containers. (Glue is recommended for use only by children over 5, so make sure you're handling it if your child is younger than that.)
Move toys up. Keep toys that aren't age-appropriate, such as puzzles or board games with small pieces, on higher shelves or in an area your toddler can't reach, like a closet. It is importanmt to keep these toys out of sight, as well, so your toddler won't be tempted to try to reach them. Teach your older child that these toys are only for her, and that she can play with them during her little brother's nap time or when another adult is watching her younger sibling.
See the Consumer Reports Guide to Childproofing & Safety for great child safety tips, available in our bookstore or at retailers nationwide.
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