Playroom Organization Tidy Up Tips! 5 Fun and Easy Ways To Organize Your Kid’s Toys
Every parent knows the chaos of toys scattered across the house—stuffed animals hiding under the couch, building blocks on the stairs, and tiny toy cars waiting to get stepped on.
Having kids often means your home looks more like a minefield of mess than a peaceful place to relax. But here’s the good news: playroom organization doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a few simple strategies and a little bit of fun, you can organize your kid’s toys in a way that actually sticks.
In this guide, we’re sharing five pro tips for toy organization that are practical, fun, and family-approved. Whether you’re trying to declutter your playroom, improve your toy storage system, or teach your kids new habits, these tips will help you keep the chaos under control.
1. Take a Headcount of Toys
Before you dive into bins and baskets, take inventory. Toys pile up over time, some get broken, others outgrown, and many just forgotten. The first step to playroom organization is to declutter your kids’ toys.
Involve your children in the process. Depending on their age, you can make this an empowering moment by asking them to choose their “Top 5 Favorite Toys” or sort into piles: keep, donate, or discard. Not only will this reduce clutter, but it also teaches decision-making an essential life skill. Not only will this reduce clutter, but it will also teach family home organization fundamentals.
As a professional organizer, I always remind families that decision-making is developmental. Whether your child is 2 or 6, engaging them in the decluttering process builds confidence and responsibility. It’s not about perfection, it’s about progress and participation.
Also, as a professional organizer, I think it’s important to get your children involved in the decluttering process at an age where they understand the concept. For some families, that can be working with your 2 year old toddler, and for others, that may mean working with your 4 year old.
Decision making is a developmental skill they’ll need in life and decluttering and making decisions on what they want to keep is a great exercise to help develop that muscle for them.
Want to tackle your playroom organization like a pro?
BOOK A SPACE AUDIT CALL
The Space Audit (our version of a consultation) is the very first step in our process. It’s our opportunity to connect to determine the support you need and if Tidied By K can offer you exactly what your space requires. During the space audit, we’ll do a personalized needs assessment, analyze your project, and discuss the investment required to accomplish your goals. At minimum, you will leave with a few ideas that can help you move the needle in your journey.
Complimentary Space Audit
In-Person Space Audit ($75)
PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL IF YOU CAN'T FIND A TIME THAT WORKS FOR YOU
2.Organize Toys Into Categories
Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to organize toys into categories. This is a game-changer for both toy storage and cleanup routines. Group similar toys together, puzzles, books, stuffed animals, dolls, blocks, art supplies, etc. Then assign each category to a specific container, cubby, or labeled bin.
For younger kids, visual labels are a great idea. Use pictures or stickers of the toy type (animals, cars, etc.) so they can easily match what goes where.
Organizing Tips:
→ Use clear bins so kids can see what’s inside.
→ Invest in a toy storage shelf or cubed organizer to keep things accessible.
→ Place most-used items at eye level and store seasonal or occasional toys higher up.
Categorizing reduces overwhelm for kids and makes tidying up feel more like a game than a chore. This step is essential in building a sustainable home organization system for families.
3. Rotate Toys for Renewed Interest
One of the best-kept secrets of organized playrooms? Toy rotation. Creating a toy rotation system is one of the simplest tricks to keep your home tidy while avoiding toy overload. Stash away some toys in a storage container and only bring them out after a few weeks or months. This creates a sense of novelty, making old toys feel new again while reducing the number of items in play at any one time. Your kids will look forward to “discovering” their toys anew, and you’ll have more control over daily tidying efforts.
Here’s how it works:
→ Divide your toys into 3–4 groups.
→ Only keep one group out at a time.
→ Store the others in a labeled bin or closet.
→ Every few weeks, rotate a new group in.
This approach reduces visual clutter and keeps kids excited about their toys. Old toys feel new again when they haven’t seen them for a while. And you’ll cut down on the number of toys that need to be picked up daily.
Rotating toys is especially helpful for families with smaller spaces. You’ll have fewer items out, which means quicker cleanups and less stress for everyone.
4. Keep Your Home Tidy and Inviting
Organizing your kid’s toys makes your home inviting. Stuffed animals can sometimes get smelly due to spills or because your kid plays with them every day. Using effective odor remediation methods, such as washing toys regularly, will keep that toy collection sanitary.
A tidy playroom isn’t just about looks—it also impacts hygiene and comfort. Soft toys can collect dust, dirt, and even allergens. Be proactive about cleaning plush toys, especially favorites that go everywhere with your child.
Quick maintenance tips:
→ Wash stuffed animals every 1–2 months, or as needed.
→ Disinfect hard toys weekly, especially after playdates.
→ Use natural cleaning sprays for safe, kid-friendly sanitation.
Odor can be a hidden issue in toy storage bins, especially fabric or closed containers. To avoid musty smells, use baking soda sachets, wash liners regularly, and make sure bins are dry before storing toys.
A clean, organized playroom creates a more welcoming environment for both play and learning.
5. Create Cleanup Routine
Even the best organizing strategies won’t stick if you lack a routine. Set a time for tidying up, such as before dinner or bedtime. Turn it into a fun ritual with motivating music, or challenge your kids to see who can collect the most toys in a given time. These small, consistent efforts teach kids the value of maintaining order while turning cleanup time into a bonding activity for the whole family.
A tidy playroom isn’t just about looks, it also impacts hygiene and comfort. Soft toys like stuffed animals can collect dust, dirt, and even allergens. Be proactive about cleaning plush toys, especially favorites that go everywhere with your child.
All your organizing efforts will fall apart without a routine. The key to maintaining a tidy playroom is consistency. Set a regular time every day for toy cleanup—before dinner, before screen time, or just before bed.
Make cleanup fun:
- → Turn on a “clean-up song” or playlist.
- → Set a timer and turn it into a game: “Can you beat the clock?”
- → Let kids race to clean up specific categories—blocks vs. dolls!
Having a predictable cleanup routine teaches kids ownership and reinforces the value of a well-kept space. Over time, this builds life-long habits around organization and responsibility.
Pro Tip: Book a Professional Playroom Assessment
Feeling stuck on how to set up a functional playroom layout or optimize toy storage in a small space? Consider a professional home organization consultation.
✨ Book a Space Audit Call with Tidied by K
→ Identify your storage challenges
→ Analyze the flow of your playroom
→ Create a tailored action plan
Whether you’re local or prefer a virtual option, the Space Audit Call offers ideas, clarity, and expert insight to make your playroom work for your family.
Schedule your call or email us if you don’t see a time that works!
Playroom organization is pivotal for your children during playtime. When their space is tidy, it's easier for them to enjoy their items and also just as simple for them to reset it. Leave a comment if you found this blog helpful.
WHERE TO NEXT:
