Organizing the Playroom

As much as we think that if we make it easy to put things away, they'll do it -- they won't.
Make it easy for you.
I had bins for legos, bins for blocks, shelves for games and books.
I kept like things together.
YMMV
LBC

Funny to see this question; my husband and I just went through and cleaned out the playroom the other day. He had built shelves/bins which have worked out great, but I find that even with the best system, we do need to clean out periodically - rotate the toys (a portion are always in a plastic bin in the attic), toss or fix the broken ones; and donate some.

The best way to encourage them to clean up themselves is to have a system that is unambiguous to them. We have a car bin, a train bin, a lego bin, etc., with labels (pictures & words) as was mentioned. Also, it is best to create a system where the toys don't have to be packed away perfectly to be "in order" - i.e., where there is enough space to pack things differently in the appropriate cubby, and still have them fit and look neat (ish).

One adjustment we've found as the kids get bigger is the need for lots of smaller containers/bins as the toys (playmobile; lego) get smaller and with more and more parts. We also have a small and a large misc bin for those things that defy category (or for which we just don't have enough in that category).

we have tons of wooden shelves with brightly colored plastic bins that slide completely in and out from ikea. and my kids DO keep the playroom clean because they are expected to. make cleaning part of the daily routine, and they will get used to doing it. my kids pick things up before lunch, before dinner, and before bed. i usually go in about once a year and get rid of things that they don't play with to make room for the new xmas/bday toys(all three bdays are right near xmas). but, i don't play with toys, so i don't clean toys. i tell them that if it's not cleaned up the right way, i'll be glad to clean it up, but my "cleaning" method will be a trash bag ;) so far, so good! i do figure out where new things are gonna go, but i expect them to take it from there - i've got a whole house to maintain, cooking, cleaning, 3 kids, beds to make, 4 dogs to care for, etc. - toys are their job :)

I love the little plastic storage bins from Target. My 2 yr old keeps her writing utensils in those. You gotta have a book shelf for the books, puzzles, and board games. Most played with toys can also go there if there's enough room. That way she has quick and easy access instead of having to dig through a toy chest resulting in a million toys all over the floor. A hanging net helps with the stuffed animals that lay around not getting played with. And we have a huge toy bucket that the least played with toys go in. Adding labels with pictures to the bins can help her remember what goes where.

Child care centers have it down to a science I think. If you have a child care center in your area that is friendly and will let you come in then go take a look and take some notes.

You should find they have pictures of the toys that goes in a certain place or each bin labeled with the name and a picture of the toys. This helps kids to start recognizing letter shapes and that letters/words have meaning. It is part of pre-reading skills.

Here are some links to chilc care places and how they have some of their toys organized. But the truth really is that the adults always end up doing the organizing and it's mostly on the adult supervising to do most of the picking up. Making it a game is always fun for the little guys but it takes time and should be done daily so they get used to the idea of clean...not messy. My grandson like things messy and will go and dump every bin as soon as Papa is gone

Here are some links that I found good examples:
http://www.colleenschildcare.com/Playroom.html
http://www.kimskiddos.com/PlayroomPictures.html

Something like this can be custom built easily enough for a lot less and it is perfect for putting all the little girl dress up clothes in. It can be made her size and for now or a bit bigger and she can use it as she grows up too. Even if they are just stuffed in, the doors close so it's out of sight and an easy pick up for her. Obviously this is for doll clothes but my center had a kids size one and we hung all the little costumes and dress up clothes on hooks and the little kids could clean up after themselves very easily.
http://www.gr8toys.com.au/Pintoy_wooden_doll_wardrobe/JDP...

First, go through her things and decide what toys she REALLY needs to keep and sell or donate the rest. I mean every single item.

Next use plastic bins for large things like blocks, train sets, etc, and put them in the closet or garage and only pull out on occasion. Small items can be put in canvas bins that slide into need shelving units you can buy as Target and such. Label the bins and even draw a picture on it to help recognize where toys go.

I've heard of many parents who bin up half of the toys in plastic bins and put them away for anywhere between 1-3 months and play with the other half. Then trade everything out so it's like having all new toys all over again. Store the bins in the basement or garage.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

a shoe bag that hangs over the door to store small stuff in. Shelves for books and games. I use old oatmeal cont, shoe boxes, small clear totes, baggies - whatever I can find - and label them and toss/stack in a cabinet we have in our toyroom.

Check out Pottery Barn!
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/room/rom/romply/

one thing I like is to have bins with pictures on the front of what goes in them. Makes it easier for the little ones to know where things go.