Organizing Ideas for a Play-Filled Playroom
Less is more when it comes to imaginative play.
A well-organized home is a gift that benefits the entire family—the smallest members included. Studies have found that kids with fewer toys are better able to focus and use their imaginations for longer periods of time than those who are overwhelmed by their options.
It makes sense: an edited selection of things often enables us to appreciate our special items and use them more frequently, whereas piles of stuff feel like, well, stuff.
The playroom is a perfect opportunity for giving your kids a landscape that lets their creativity thrive, while instilling habits that will serve them well in the future.
When you’re considering yours, aim for a sustainable solution. Beautifully organized kids spaces are undeniably fun to look at, but the upkeep can become a chore.
The goal is for your kids to start learning a life skill and be able to participate in owning responsibility for their things and their space.
Pile rather than file.
We love a file-folded drawer, but file folding can be hard for small hands. If your kids are going to be tasked with putting away soft items like clothes or blankets, stacking items into piles is an easy way to ensure success and inspire confidence.
Use macro-categories when possible.
Eliminate the guesswork by using micro-categories—e.g., instead of a basket for blocks, have separate bins for Wooden Blocks, Megablocks and MagnaTiles.
Create play zones.
Think about your categories and where you want kids to play. Pull out messy art supplies and put those in the kitchen or in another visible spot so that you’re able to supervise your mini-Monets.
Plan for playdates.
What toys do you want everyone to have access to? If you regularly host playdates with younger guests, you may want sets with small pieces or fragile items to be stored out of reach.
Rotate toys.
Divide your toys and make a limited number available at any given time. We like rotating things out on a monthly basis (and we’re not above tucking away a few Christmas or birthday gifts after they’ve been opened so that the kids get to spread out their enjoyment of new things!).
Start a book exchange.
Consider creating a junior book club—when your child is finished with a book, have them select a friend to give it to. If they’re writing, this can be a great opportunity to practice. Have them write a little book review and stick it to the cover.
Keep the playroom universal.
If one of your children enjoys an activity more than the others, it may be a better fit for their bedroom than the shared playspace. Dispel arguments before they begin by tucking the dollhouse in your daughter’s room where she can play independently and keep her space set up the way she likes it.
Opt for clear bins.
Keep your organizational product see-through so you can at-a-glance assess the status of your system—are things staying in place? Does the system need to shift? Is it time to pull out items to donate? Bonus for bins with attached lids.
Use visual labels.
Early readers benefit from block letters on labels. Kids who haven’t started reading yet can still keep up with the system by following picture cues. You can buy illustrated vinyl labels or print pictures and use adhesive photo sleeves to attach them to your system.
Embrace the season of life you’re in.
Letting go of the little kitchen was the worst!! But moving it on made room for an art table. What are your children loving and playing with and which items are they outgrowing? As they grow, you can transition favorite categories out slowly by holding on to a few pieces and donating the bulk.
Keep the memories, not the things.
There are so many special moments in childhood and our kids’ favorite things can be some of the hardest to let go. Consider creating an email address for each child and send them a note every so often with pictures documenting what they’re doing and loving in each season—”Right now, you’re really into fairies… we read this book every night… you’re wearing this costume for Halloween and we haven’t been able to take it off you!” You don’t need to hold on to the items, you’re preserving the memories in real time and you’ll have a gift to pass on that they’ll be able to keep and enjoy wherever they are—and whatever their eventual space looks like.
