Store toys
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By
Vanessa M.
Tips for storing toys
Does walking through your child's nursery or playroom resemble an obstacle course? Many parents can tell you a thing or two about it. But it doesn't have to be like that! Our tips for storing toys show you how to store different toys correctly and keep your child's play area tidy.
Children need order
Children make a mess - that's completely normal! However, they actually need the exact opposite in order to be able to develop creatively and occupy themselves undisturbed. If your child is surrounded by pure chaos, it will ultimately be harder for them to concentrate on a toy. They can hardly immerse themselves in "their own world", let their imagination wander and find peace through play as long as their eyes are constantly glued to the various toys lying around in a jumble.
If you find it difficult to keep things tidy, especially in the rooms where your child plays, you are not alone. You may even have the feeling that you will never be able to finish putting away and tidying up the toys. As soon as you have tidied up everything, your child starts playing again and in no time at all it looks as if you haven't lifted a finger. This is when tidying routines can help you. Decide at what times and on which days you will tidy up thoroughly. Of course, there will be a few hours of clutter between tidying sessions. Don't drive yourself crazy. By introducing fixed tidying routines, you prevent the chaos from continuously increasing and also set a great example for your child.
A big mess in the playroom is often due to too many toys being available. If your child's room is bursting at the seams, toy rotation is worth considering. The principle is simple: you go through all the toys once and divide them into several piles. You put one pile back in the nursery and stow the rest of the toys elsewhere. Change the toys in the playroom every few weeks so that your child has "new" toys to play with. The big advantage: you help your child to focus on individual toys, prevent boredom and avoid clutter.
Basic tips for storing toys
There is a lot to consider when storing toys. Our toy storage tips summarize the most important points for you:
Finding the right storage solution 📦🧺
Choosing the most suitable individual storage solution for toys is often the first challenge. Crates, baskets, boxes, cupboards, wall shelves, etc.: each option has its advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the ideal storage solution must be tailored to the toys you want to store and how much storage space you need. Especially when space is at a premium in the children's room and playroom, you should make clever use of the space. This can be done with storage options that don't take up any space on the floor. Examples include upright wall shelves or hanging storage units. You can also save a lot of space with multifunctional furniture, such as beds and benches with integrated drawers.
Important: The storage system of your choice must be secure. Screw wall shelves tightly, avoid any tripping hazards and make sure that locking components do not close by themselves. This is because self-closing drawers and lids can easily pinch little fingers.
It's probably important to you that your child can get their toys out themselves. You also need to bear this in mind when buying storage systems and find a solution that suits your child's age and current abilities. In terms of accessibility, you should also consider which toys your child uses most often. You should keep these particularly easily accessible. Of course, the current season also plays a role here. In winter, for example, your child does not necessarily need to have free access to garden and water toys.
Using labels and inscriptions 🏷️
By using labels with lettering or picture symbols, you assign a fixed place to each toy. Your child can see where to put which toy and can therefore tidy up more independently.
Storing toys correctly 📦
How exactly you go about storing toys may have a direct impact on their longevity. Most toys should be protected from sunlight, extremely high or low temperatures and moisture so that they remain in good condition for as long as possible. Don't forget that outdoor toys should also be stored in a dry, weather-protected place.
Ensure hygiene 🧼
Combine toy storage with a quick hygiene check. If you notice any superficial soiling, you should definitely clean the toy in question. But even seemingly clean toys need regular cleaning - after all, germs and bacteria are invisible. Further information and tips on toy cleaning can be found in our blog post on "Cleaning toys quickly and easily".
The best way to store water toys ⛵
There are a few additional things you should bear in mind when storing water toys. After all, water toys, such as the AquaPlay water slides, usually get wet when in use. It is therefore essential to dry the toys thoroughly after use or leave them to air dry in suitable nets or open containers.
If you skip this important step when storing water toys, you open the door to mold and unpleasant odors.
Practically speaking, water toys are generally washable without hesitation. Bathtub toys, such as the AquaPlay FireBoat for train and bathtub, can therefore be rinsed off with water after each use with very little effort. And of course you should always make sure that other water toys are not heavily soiled before cleaning them up.
Typical mistakes when storing toys and how to do it better ❌
There are typical mistakes that can make tidying up toys difficult. We explain how you can avoid these mistakes:
Keeping broken toys ⛓️💥
You may be familiar with the following situation: A toy breaks, you put it back in its place and make a firm commitment to repair it as soon as possible. Weeks and months go by and the broken toy becomes a space-consuming dust collector. Of course, it's commendable in itself that you don't throw broken toys away straight away but want to repair them. However, if you don't take care of it straight away, you should make sure that the toy isn't lying around in the way. For example, create a separate box for all the toys that you still want to repair. Toys that can no longer be repaired or would be too costly to repair should be disposed of immediately.
Toy collection too big 🃏🎲
If new toys are constantly being added without you sorting out old ones, the toy mountain will logically get bigger and bigger. Then there's a risk that you'll lose track of everything and storing toys will become a really tiring task. Our tip: Go through the existing toys with your child every few months and sort them out. You can take the things you no longer need to a second-hand store, donate them or give them to friends.
Introducing organization systems without involving the children 📦📝
Do you want to involve your children in everyday toy storage? Then you should make sure that they can handle the organization system you use. Ideally, you should discuss the matter with them and ask them directly what support they need to organize their toys as independently as possible.
Don't involve children in tidying up toys 👪
Involving your child in tidying up toys has several advantages: It teaches them to take responsibility for their belongings, keep things tidy and take on fixed tasks. With clear, achievable requirements and an accessible, child-friendly storage system, many kids even go about their work with eagerness and are proud to lend a hand.
Conclusion: Optimal toy storage for a harmonious home ✨
The home should be a feel-good place for the whole family. A place where people live, laugh, play and romp around and where things can get messy. It is important that you find a toy storage system that works for you. This will make toy storage easier and more effective, leaving you more time to spend together as a family in a tidy, feel-good environment.
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