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image Seven Rules for Toy and Play Rooms

By Professional Organizer Lea Schneider

Your complaint has been heard.

"I clean up the playroom and by the next day, it looks like a tornado went through it," moms tell me. As a mother of three, and a professional organizer, I can tell you that is okay to have playroom or toy use rules. In fact, it is more than okay. It is necessary for your sanity! Besides, it is much better for your child than you "losing it" amidst the chaos.

You do know what chaos means? It means can't-have-anybody-over-syndrome. Been there. Done that. How about you?

So, here are few rules- or call them guidelines if it makes you more comfortable- that can help you organize toy and play time.

1. Establish that some toys are only to be used under supervision and with permission. These might include finger paints, markers, sticky modeling dough and thousand piece jigsaw puzzles. Don't be a tease. Store these out of the play room.

2. If you find your child is constantly dumping piles of pieces everywhere, then you need the "one toy with pieces at a time rule." Get some small bins or tubs. Make them just the right size to hold the toy parts for ONE toy. If just right,they won't have room to mix five kinds of toys in that box. Label the box with a photo of the toy. Place these bins on one shelf with a big sign that reads "One at a time!" Teach your child to only take out one at a time. They must put one back before taking another. Keep in mind that they will have this rule at school too. They are not allowed to dump out ten things and then run off.

3. Limit the toys. This doesn't mean get rid of toys. It means rotate toys. Put some in a closet or bins and rotate them in and out. Having one hundred toys for a three-year old is overwhelming, not more fun.

4. Set household rules for where toys can be left. If you don't want them all over the house for years on end, this is a good idea. Toddlers naturally need to play at your feet..the kitchen...the den...your room. But, as your child gets old enough to play with less supervision, teach them to respect your room and commonly used areas, like your living room. Establish where they can spread their toys out.

5. Have a regular toy pick-up time. Waiting until you can't take it anymore isn't a good idea for a calm clean-up. Have a regular time that everyone expects. Maybe it is daily. Maybe it is once a week. Every family and every home is different. The key is to have a routine instead of chaos.

6. Decide what "clean up the toys" means in your house. Does this mean they are piled in the corner? Does it mean they are all in their bins? There are levels of clean. What's yours?

7. It's a great idea to write down your toy rules. Post it in the toy room or on the fridge. This will help both parents, grandparents and sitters stay on the same page and eliminate conflict. And remember, if something doesn't work for you, change it and try again.