Welcome to Day 26 of the 30 Days to Less of a Hot Mess Challenge! Today we’re focusing on kid clutter: decluttering, organizing, and creating systems that help your home feel calm again. If you’re new to the challenge, consider starting from the beginning so you get the full 30-day momentum. (Affiliate links were used in the original post.)
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What is a home organizational challenge without addressing toys? By “kid clutter” I mean those toys that seem to appear out of nowhere and turn a tidy room chaotic in minutes. If you have kids (or grandkids), you know how fast this battle can feel uphill.
Here are a few reader notes that probably sound familiar:
“My big home decorating challenge is staying organized with a growing toddler – there are constantly outgrown clothes to put away and store, toys on the floor of every room and new pictures to print or hang!” – Summer
“I have been in my house for 2.5 years and I still don’t feel like it’s home. With two small boys (almost 4 and 18 months) I have found it so hard to ‘cutesy’ up the living room with all of the toys. We do have a play room but they always want to be in the living room so all of the stuff accumulates in here. Any ideas to hide the toys but still have them accessible for the kiddos?” – Lisa
Ladies, I feel you. When you’re navigating toy explosions, stepping on legos and doll shoes becomes part of daily life. The tips below are practical, simple, and meant to keep your home livable while still honoring play.
Tips for Keeping Toy Clutter in Check!
1. Hide the toys where it makes sense. One of the simplest solutions that changed our living room was placing a large toy basket in the main area. It tucks neatly under a console table and is the only toy storage left in the living space. At the end of each day, any toys left out go in the basket and the room instantly looks picked up. If the basket gets too full, take it to the bedrooms and sort through the contents.
Can you spot the toy basket?
2. Designate containers for duplicates or large collections. In bedrooms or playrooms, give each major toy type its own container when you have a lot of one thing. For example, one basket for Barbies, one for dollhouse furniture, and one for American Girl accessories. Limiting the number of designated baskets keeps everything easier to find and less overwhelming to maintain.
3. Deal with holiday and birthday overload. If new gifts still don’t have a home a month after they arrived, it’s time to act. First, find an appropriate storage spot for each new item — even if that means donating or removing something else. Second, consolidate duplicates or near-duplicates. If your child has several similar toys or duplicate books, keep the favorites and donate the extras.
4. Don’t even bring certain items into the house. I try not to keep tiny cheap toys that come from kids’ meals or party favors. Let kids play with them briefly, then remove them. Avoid creating a permanent bin for “disposable” clutter; it’s a magnet for mess.
5. Rotate toys to reduce overwhelm and spark renewed interest. Kids often play better when they have fewer choices. When a playroom is overstuffed, children may say they “can’t find anything to play with.” I started packing a large clear tub of toys away for about a month and then swapping it with another tub. When the stored toys return, they feel fresh and spark renewed play. This rotation keeps the house tidier and extends the life of favorite toys.
My daughter’s room when I started — not too bad, but still needs work.
6. Store baby toys and remove batteries. Periodically go through toys and remove items that are age-inappropriate. Baby toys that are no longer used can be packed away in the attic or storage bins until they’re needed again. When storing toys long-term, remove batteries to prevent corrosion and damage.
The practical task for today: choose one area or one category in your child’s room and declutter it. Use an organization checklist to keep track of what you’ve finished and what still needs attention. Even small, consistent steps add up to a calmer, more functional home.
In the mess with you,
Laura
Related
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- How to Get Organized with IKEA
- Pink Turquoise Nursery — Miss A’s Room
More Posts You Will Love:
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- Organizing Kids’ Art and Memorabilia
- How To Organize The Playroom Before The Holidays
- How to Organize a Linen Closet
- How to Declutter Your Home in 5 Simple Steps