How to Organize Toys in 3 Steps

Fri, Jan 02, 2026

Tired of stepping on that rogue toy car or searching high and low for a doll's missing shoe? As sweet as it is to see your children play, the aftermath can sometimes look like a mini tornado hit your living room. The good news? You don’t have to choose between creativity and a clean floor. Organizing toys can actually be enjoyable (really!), and it doesn’t mean locking everything away in a closet.

With the right strategies, you can turn cleanup time into a game, make play easier, and even teach your kids a little responsibility along the way. Ready to reclaim your space without interrupting their imagination or slowing down the fun? Let’s get started!

Getting Started: The Basics of Toy Organization

Before you buy new bins or start rearranging furniture, take a moment to notice how your child actually plays. Paying attention to their habits helps you figure out what should stay within easy reach and what can be stored higher up or put away.

Effective organization relies on a few core principles:

Accessibility: Keep your child’s favorite toys and activities within reach so they can play independently.
Visibility: Clear bins or open shelves help kids see what they have.
Simplicity: A simple organization system is easier to maintain than a complicated one.

Step-by-Step: How to Organize Children’s Toys Like a Pro

Creating a sustainable organization system takes a little time upfront, but the payoff is a playroom that cleans up quickly.

Involve your child in the process to make it more enjoyable and teach them valuable skills. When kids help set up the system, they’re more likely to understand where things belong and take ownership of keeping the space tidy. It also fosters independence and helps them practice making decisions.

Follow these steps together to organize and optimize your space.

Step 1: Sort and Declutter

The first step to organization is to sort and declutter. It is impossible to organize efficiently if you have broken items or toys your child has outgrown mixed in with their current go-tos. Start by gathering everything in one room and sorting through the pile.

Create three distinct piles to streamline the process:

Keep: The toys your child plays with regularly.
Donate or sell: Gently used items that someone else can enjoy.
Toss or recycle: Broken items or puzzles, toys, and games with missing pieces.

Step 2: Group Toys by Type or Activity

Once you have pared down the collection, categorize the remaining items. Involve your child by asking for their input—what toys they like to play with together, which items feel similar, or what should share a bin. For example, you may want to group items by how they are used:

Building: Blocks, magnetic tiles, and construction sets.
Pretend play: Costumes, play food, cars, and dolls.
Creative: Art supplies, coloring books, and play-dough.

Step 3: Label and Store Strategically

Grab your labeler or some stick-on labels and create a simple label for each bin or shelf. Labels make cleanup feel more like following a map than a chore. And for little ones who aren’t reading yet, picture labels make it easy to match items to their spots.

Once everything is labeled, use these storage strategies:

Put heavier items and everyday toy and activity favorites on lower shelves.
Reserve higher shelves for items that require supervision, like messy art supplies.
Utilize open bins for bulky items that are hard to stack.

How to Organize Plush Toys and Other Soft Items

Stuffed animals can quickly take over a bed or corner if left unchecked. Since they are soft and lightweight, you have more flexible storage options than with rigid toys.

Here are a few ways to corral the plush collection:

Baskets: Large, soft baskets on the floor make it easy to toss animals in.
Hammocks: Take advantage of corner space by hanging a net or hammock for display.
Toy boxes: Classic toy boxes and benches hide the clutter while keeping plush friends accessible.

Best Ways to Store Toys in Small Spaces

If you are working with limited square footage, vertical space is your best friend. Also, consider dual-purpose furniture or storage that fits into unused nooks.

Maximize your area with these organization ideas:

Vertical shelving: Tall bookcases and shelves draw the eye up and can offer more storage than low, wide units. Just be sure to anchor them securely to the wall to keep them safe for little climbers.
Under-bed storage: Roll-out bins utilize the dead space beneath beds.
Multi-functional furniture: Save floor space by using tables with built-in drawers or benches with storage compartments.

Storage Solutions Simplify Play and Cleanup Time

Ultimately, the goal is to create a space made for play where cleanup is just a quick reset for the next adventure. Putting these affordable playroom organization ideas into practice gives every toy a home, and creates a system that can grow and adapt as your child moves from blocks to board games to brand-new picks. Shop KidKraft's storage collection today to make cleanup time simple and fun.