I taught preschool for over 12 years, and I know how important it is to have an organized play area. Kids enjoy more space, time, and creativity when they have a tidy place to explore and interact. Use these organized playroom ideas to create an ideal spot for your children to learn, grow, play, and develop.
Use These Organized Playroom Ideas Anywhere
As amazing as a room solely devoted to playing is, not everyone has one. We live in a two-bedroom house, so my son’s toys and books are strategically stowed in our living room, closets, and his bedroom.
When you’re living in a smaller home, every bit of space is critical. That’s why I’m focusing on how to organize your child’s playroom or dedicated play space, no matter where it might be.
1. Put a Limit on Playthings
The odds are good that you have limited space for toys, books, stuffed animals, and other assorted playthings. Therefore, there needs to be a cut-off on what comes in or a swap. For example, when my son gets something new, he chooses one of his other items to donate.
For small trinkets, like Happy Meal toys, goody bag fodder, and lots of Mardi Gras treasures (we live in NOLA) my son has one small bin. As long as it fits, he keeps it. Once the bin is full, he makes some choices.
Regularly decluttering and putting systems in place to limit stuff helps keep things manageable. It's also not as overwhelming when it's time to play and clean up.
2. Create Zones
One of the most common tips for organizing playroom areas is to create zones. In a separate playroom, divide the room into distinct areas. Zones could include an art station, puzzles and games, a building table, a reading nook, and role-playing (like a pretend kitchen or grocery store).
If you’re working with multiple areas in your house, designate each spot for a certain activity. Store the items associated with each particular zone in that spot. For example, organize paints and craft supplies in the art station, keep books and stuffed animals in the cozy reading nook, and LEGO bricks in the building zone.
It's also a good idea to have open space and a place to organize toys that facilitate play. For my son, we have a Hot Wheels area and a bin of toy vehicles. Cater your organized playroom to fit your child's unique interests.
3. Keep Storage Kid-Friendly
Choose storage solutions that make sense for kids. Clear bins or angled organizers are ideal since children can identify the contents quickly. However, if you prefer hidden storage or opaque containers, use labels that your children can understand. For example, if your kids aren’t reading yet, use pictures.
Open-top baskets and bins are also preferable over lidded options. Most kids are more likely to put things away when they don’t have to hassle with removing and replacing lids. If you have to maintain a flexible playspace, look for moveable storage options, like these stackable rolling bins.
Also, no matter what organizing solutions you choose, keep them within reach of children. This way, kids can access their belongings and clean up easily.
4. Organize Using Simple Categories
Ditch the details when it comes to organizing kid toys. As children get older they may prefer to organize their belongings more specifically. However, start with broad categories, like all the stuffies in one basket, all the vehicles in a large bin, etc.
5. Opt for Easy-to-Clean Furniture
I adore easy-to-clean surfaces because it makes keeping things tidy so much more manageable. In any area where kids play, this quality becomes even more critical. Look for wipeable surfaces for tables, chairs, and other furniture.
When choosing soft surfaces, make sure they’re easy to clean or washable. We have washable rugs and removable cushions on the couch, so now I don’t sweat it when there’s a spill or mishap.
I also prefer to steer clear of most fabric organizers because they tend to get funky with embedded fuzzies, dog hair, dirt, and other nasties. However, if you love a certain fabric container, just remember to empty it occasionally and vacuum it (inside and out). Or look for ones with removable liners you can toss into the wash.
A Few Extra Tips for Organizing Playroom Areas
These organized playroom ideas work best if your children are on board with the plan. Teach them a few fun clean-up games, set a timer, or implement a sticker system to encourage and motivate them. Over time, they’ll come to enjoy always having a tidy play area.
Wherever your kids plan to play, make sure it’s safe. Secure tall, heavy furniture to the wall, and avoid overloading bins so they’re not too heavy for children to handle.
Remember the basics, like covering electrical outlets, keeping cords out of the way, and padding pointy corners. Provide a soft surface on the ground for playtime and go with shorter shelving for younger kids so they don’t end up scaling tall bookcases.
Use these organized playroom ideas as a springboard to create a fun and functional place for your kids to play. [1] Involve your kids in the organizing process so they feel more invested in the space (and they’ll know where things go). And now, it’s time to play!
Ready to take your playroom from chaos to calm? Discover our 5 organized playroom ideas that promote positive playtime. And to ensure the tidiness lasts, get your kids excited about the process with our next article on 5 tips to motivate kids in decluttering and organizing their play space. Click here to unlock these invaluable strategies and transform your playroom together!”
