Fresh on the heels of Hanukkah and Christmas, it’s no coincidence that the National Association of Professional Organizers declares January as Get Organized Month.
 
January is the perfect time to clear out the clutter that built up over the past year and make room for new gifts—especially for toys.
 
The average child can have up to 150 toys, and that can lead to a great deal of organizing challenges. If you’re helping your nieces and nephews organize their rooms and toys after the holidays, here are a few Savvy Auntie tips you can use.
 
1. Create Zones.
Think of how preschool classrooms are designed. There are areas for reading, playing dress up, eating, and napping. Create zones for sleeping, reading, playing, and dressing in your little ones’ rooms.
 
2. Donate Three.
Help your little ones make space for their new toys. Ask them what three toys they would like to donate to other children. Choosing three items helps them learn how to let go of items they no longer want, and this gives them a great place to start with regular de-cluttering.
 
3. Consider Toy Boxes.
Traditional toy boxes used to be staples in children’s rooms, but it seems they are not as popular as they used to be—and they become toy dumping grounds. Since children nowadays have more toys that they used to, toy boxes are quickly outgrown. Newer toy boxes have safety features, so lids won’t smash small fingers.
 
4. Use Bins.
Bins are an old stand-by for toy organization, and there are several varieties to choose from, including pop-up ones, square ones, and wire mesh ones. You can find a bin to fit any space, and there are even specialized bins, such as the ones created for housing Lego pieces.
 
Group toys together in bin and label them. If the kids are too young to read, use pictures. Pop-up laundry baskets are great for storing stuffed animals.
 
5. Take Advantage of Drawers.
Older children with more dexterity can stash their toys in drawers, which can be labeled. On Pinterest, I found this great idea of using a toolbox for storing Legos for older children.
 
6. Buy a ToyDozer.
This is a fun way to clean up toys, such as Legos, blocks, and other small toys. The ToyDozer has two pieces and functions much like a whisk and a dustpan—except the ToyDozer is based on a bulldozer. The children can quickly scoop up small toys and pour them into bins.
 
7. Buy a Lay-n-Go.
Building blocks can take up a great deal of valuable floor and table space, and stepping on a Lego with a bare foot is pretty painful. The Lay-n-Go comes in several sizes and lays flat in a circle. When your niece or nephew is done playing, they can pull the drawstring and put away their toys.
 
8. Organize Bath Toys.
Having had to pick up toys from the bottom of the tub many times, I love a good bathtub organizer. Round up bath toys in specialized waterproof nets and boxes.
 
9. Utilize Over-the-Door Shoe Bags.
These are not just for shoes. You can use them for stashing small toys, bath toys, and other tidbits.
 
With these tips, January can definitely become Get Organized Month for your nieces and nephews!

Published: January 16, 2013