.png){kind=small}
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, if you purchase something using my links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.
Every mom knows the playroom starts with good intentions.
It's supposed to be a place for fun, creativity, and all those adorable moments we'll treasure. But in actual fact—it can quickly turn into a disaster zone. Toys spill out of bins, blocks hide in weird places, random puzzle pieces seem to multiply overnight, and don't get me started on those Lego pieces that are like landmines under your foot!
I mean when we started with the thought of having a playroom in the first place, we knew that it somehow would look exactly the way it is—we did, didn't we?
Decluttering your kids' playroom can often feel like a useless waste of energy because the second you feel proud of yourself for getting the space all nice and pristine, it's going to go back to state that the universe intended it to be.
The thing is decluttering your kids' playroom doesn't have to be a massive operation. With just a bit of planning and the right approach, you can make it manageable, and maybe even fun.
The Great Thing About Having a Playroom
Having a dedicated playroom can be such a blessing. Even if you don't have a dedicated 'room', having a dedicated playspace in your home is enough to be a blessing too.
It's where your kids' imaginations can run wild, where they build towers, draw masterpieces, host tea parties, and be superheroes. It's also where all those toys you'd rather not see in your living room can live—at least in theory.
Having a well-organized playroom isn't just great for you: it's great for your kids too. Studies have shown that children focus better in organized spaces. Fewer distractions mean they can enjoy their toys and activities more fully. Plus an organized playroom makes cleanup easier for everybody, and hopefully, it'll be the start of a lifelong habit of tidiness for your kids. Win-win, right?
5 Easy Steps to Declutter Your Kids' Playroom
It really doesn't have to be that complicated. Here we'll go through how to tackle the chaos in five simple steps focusing on decluttering, organizing the playroom, and even getting the kids involved.
Set a Date and Prepare
Before you dive into decluttering, find a specific day for this task. Put it on your calendar and tell your kids about your plan.
A day before decluttering, gather some essential supplies:
Trash bags for broken toys and stuff you need to toss.
Labels to organize all the items that you'll be keeping.
Toy storage bins or baskets if you're looking for a more efficient way of reorganizing the toys so that they are easier to find and keep back.
Taking a bit of time to prepare can make more difference than you think!
Get your Kids Involved
I know it might feel counter-productive and it might feel easier if you handled the mess by yourself, but getting your kids involved can be a game-changer. Not only can it teach them responsibility, but it also gives them a sense of ownership over their space and things.
Explain to them what you're doing and why, and for younger kids keep it simple. Use three categories for sorting:
Keep
Donate
Throw
You can this whole process into a game—"Who can sort the most toys in five minutes?" for instance. And some fun music to keep it light.
By including your kids, they'll be more likely to help keep their playroom somewhat tidy later.
Sort and Categorize
Now that your kids are on board with decluttering their space, it's time to get serious.
Begin by emptying everything completely. Yes, everything! This lets you see more clearly the room's space and it allows you to see what exactly you're working with.
Once you have everything, probably all on the floor, categorize the toys you want to keep, donate, or throw. Get your boxes and bins ready for this. It's easier now than later. The danger of doing it later is that the thing you wanted to toss, might end up back in the 'keep' bin.
Dealing with the 'donate' and 'throw' boxes is pretty straightforward. For the 'keep' pile, you'll want to put a bit more thought into organizing them. This will not only help you manage what you have, but it will also allow your kids to find their favorites easily.
Here are some ideas for organizing the toys that have successfully made it into the keep pile.
Action Figures: Superheroes, cartoon characters, and figurines.
Building Blocks: LEGO sets, wooden blocks, magnetic tiles, and other construction toys.
Arts and Crafts: Markers, crayons, glue, paper, paint sets, and beads for jewelry making.
Books: Picture books, chapter books, educational materials, and comic books.
Games: Board games, puzzles, card games, and interactive electronic games.
Stuffed Animals: Plush toys and any other cuddle-worthy companions.
Vehicles: Toy cars, trucks, trains, and planes.
Outdoor Toys: Balls, frisbees, jump ropes, and other items typically used outside.
Musical Instruments: Toy pianos, drums, xylophones, and maracas.
Dress-Up Clothes: Costumes, hats, and accessories for imaginative play.
Sports Equipment: Small soccer balls, foam bats, and mini basketball hoops.
Electronic Toys: Tablets, handheld games, and interactive learning devices.
Dolls and Dollhouses: Dolls, dollhouse furniture, and related accessories.
Science Kits: Experiment sets, magnifying glasses, and STEM-related toys.
Miscellaneous: Any unique items or toys that don’t fit into the other categories.
Whilst you're sorting the toys, you might want to ask yourself and your kids again, whether they still want to keep a particular toy they chose to keep but you hardly ever see them playing with.
Create Fun Zones
Once you've sorted out the toys, it's time to set the playroom—basically giving it a makeover. Think of the room as a blank canvas. If your kids' playroom has space for it, dividing it into different 'zones' is a fun way of making the room more conducive for the different activities.
Some of the 'zones' you could create are:
Play Zone. A space for dolls, action figures, and dress-up clothes.
Arts and Crafts Station. A table or area for coloring, painting, and any crafting activities with all their items neatly organized in one place.
Reading Nook. A cozy corner with cushions or beanbags, or even a Teepee tent, and books within reach.
Building Area. A spot for blocks and construction toys.
By creating dedicated zones, your kids will know exactly where everything belongs. Plus, it makes cleanup a breeze.
Label Everything
Labeling can be a lifesaver!
Using bins or boxes with clear labels helps your kids with putting toys away once they are done with them. You can even add pictures on your labels for younger kids who can't read yet. For example, a box with all their toy vehicles can have the word 'car' or 'trucks' and a picture representing the word. It's also a teaching moment!
You don't need to get fancy—handwritten labels work just as well.
Labels make your kids' playroom look tidy and help everyone (including you!) maintain some order.
Decluttering your kids' playroom doesn't have to be overwhelming.
By breaking it down into manageable steps, you can turn a chaotic space into a haven for creativity and fun. Plus, getting your kids involved in the whole process, will teach them valuable lessons about organizing and taking care of their belongings.
So pick a day, grab some supplies, and get started. You will feel so much better once it's done, and your kids will love their new playroom.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, if you purchase something using my links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.
If you enjoyed this post, I'd love it if you shared it on Pinterest! Thanks!
