Whether you keep the toys in a playroom, the living room, or your child’s bedroom, they tend to get scattered all over the house. You’d like to keep them organized, but your kid tends to pull everything out to get to the ones she wants. You could get rid of some, but that seems wasteful and you want your child to have everything she needs to play. Here are some tips to organize all those toys.

1. See-through bins – One of the reasons children pull everything out of the toy box is because they can’t find just the right one. Children need to be inspired, and that means giving options. By organizing toys into see-through bins or boxes, your child will be able to see what’s inside without making a mess.

2. Mesh zip-up pouches – You can usually get these at the dollar store. They’re about the size of a piece of paper, so they won’t hold big items, but they’re great for holding puzzle pieces, Legos or art supplies. They often have holes in the ends (for 3-ring binders), so you can hang them on pegs on the wall.

3. Floor level book shelves – The problem with traditional shelving is that it’s mostly unreachable to children. If they manage to pull something off a high shelf, you can be sure they aren’t putting it back up. Line your wall with low shelves or cubbies on the floor so they can actually put things away.

4. Outdoor shelf – During the summer time, certain toys tend to stay outside rather than carting them back and forth. Pick up an industrial metal shelf so kids can put them away outside so they are ready for play the next day. (Obviously don’t keep anything valuable on the shelves.)

5. Shoe rack – Hang a plastic shoe rack on the back of your child’s door. You can literally put anything in this and it uses space that would otherwise be wasted. Fill it with Barbie dolls, toy cars, or any odds and ends.

6. Add picture labels – Add labels to any box or basket so children know where things go (and that they are expected to put them back). For children who can’t read, label the boxes with pictures so they understand. Psychology tells us people are more likely to put things away when they feel expected.

7. Storage ottoman – If you end up with a lot of toys in the living room, pick up an ottoman that opens up with storage space inside. Some even come with trays to further organize. This way you can leave some items in the living room without making clutter.

Written by Alicia Overby - Founder & President of Baby Elephant Ears

Alicia is wife, mother, and creator of Baby Elephant Ears. Baby Elephant Ears was created out of parental concern, not financial desire. In 2005, when their second child was an infant, he cried all the time and just couldn't seem to get comfortable.

After seeking advice and suggestion from the medical community and alternative medicine, they eventually ended up in the chiropractors office where their baby was successfully treated for asubluxation, discomfort most likely the result of the strain during labor, which was now being exacerbated by the normal lack of infant neck strength. Only proper neck, head, and back alignment would offer him relief. When they couldn't find a product to give their baby the necessary support, Alicia took matters into her own hands and crafted her own infant support pillow. The first Baby Elephant Ears was born!

For more information, visit www.babyelephantears.com.

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