Simple Ways to Teach Kids to Pick Up Their Toys

So many parent’s battle this… especially through transitional periods in their child’s life. Let’s look at some reasons why your kids may be “leaving a mess everywhere they go” and talk about how to teach them to pick up their toys.

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Toys can be a major issue for many moms.

It’s like while we are sleeping they multiply like rabbits and then there are more. Everywhere.

Not with all their other mates nor in the same boxes they came in. They’re just all over. This leads moms to quite a few things to tame the toy clutter:

• buying less toys
• rotating the toys you do have
• cleaning up after the kids all day long
• developing tidying routines to keep the mess down
• putting all the toys in a playroom where you can shut the door
• putting baskets strategically around the house

The possibilities are endless.

A fun story that illustrates how to teach kids to pick up their toys

One of my favorite “fun reads” with my kids is a short picture book entitled “Too Many Toys” by David Shannon.

I realized some simple truths about kids and their toys though this story-

1. For a kid, there’s no such thing as “too many toys.”
2. The type of toys and attachment to toys is personality driven.
3. Sometimes it’s the simplest things that bring the most joy.

Clean up, clean up. Everybody, everywhere. Clean up, clean up. It’s time for you to do your share.

Barney

So, how do you teach kids to pick up their toys?

Let’s talk about some simple ways to accomplish this, so we don’t end up in a situation like Spencer’s mom.

#1. Clutter versus organization…

Does it seem like the more toys they have, the more bored they get?

I have experienced this phenomenon… and I believe it’s due to clutter. When kids don’t pick up their toys they stop enjoying them.

When they don’t pick up their toys, they become more of a mess. I think we should teach our children how to organize their toys- and feel proud of how neat and organized they are.

My amazing MIL puts it this way: everything has a place.

Use language such as:

• “What a beautiful play area you have when your toys are organized and tidy.”
• “I think it’s so cool how you set your toys back on the shelf… I love to see an organized room”

While they are young, you can even use the organization of their toys as fun play for them. I remember my oldest boy used to love coordinating his toy cars as he put them back into their carrier.

Using baskets is an easy way to organize certain play areas. You can eliminate clutter simply by teaching them to organize that “type of toy” into this specific basket.

#2. Let’s look at routine- specifically the times “between things”

But for the in between times… I have found that my children get the messiest when we’re in a big hurry between things.

For example, my boys were in their room playing LEGOS the other day. Well, I had to run into town last minute notice and so we had to pick up and leave quickly.

And… the next day, the LEGOS were still there (on the floor).

Tips to help when life get’s busy & the “in-betweens” don’t allow for lots of clean-up time:

• Have an expectation that the kids have to clean up when you say. Make sure the kids are used to having to tidy up. Sure, cleaning up after each play time is great, but they should also clean up any time you ask. If this precedent is set, there’s a lot less resistance.
• Give a 5 minute, then a 2 minute warning. So… when you say 5 minutes, you mean it’s time to play the last little bit. When you say 2 minutes, it’s time to IMMEDIATELY put it up. This takes some time to train, but it will eliminate the throw it down and run out issue.
• Have rules for what kid’s can get out at certain times. For example, if you know that you’re going to only have 30 minutes before leaning for baseball practice, it’s not the time to pull out the hand’s on science kit. Some thing’s just aren’t a good idea right before dinner or right before bed.

#3. Are personalities at play?

Take Spencer from our story earlier. His enthusiasm and imagination was definitely key in why he did not pick up his toys.

And let’s face it… not every kid enjoys color coordinating things as they put them away.

They just don’t.

Neither one is wrong. They just have to be trained to pick up their toys different ways.

In other words, what works for one kid may not work for another.

• So, if your kid is the more organization driven type– let them have spaces and time to coordinate their play area. Show them the beauty in maintaining an organized room. They will be happier all around for it.
• But, if your kid is the type that thrives in a bit of “toy chaos” allow them to make their messes. But force them to dump their mess into a designated basket BEFORE moving onto a different type of toy.

Let me give you an example:

My youngest boy loves making messes. He will have his whole bedroom floor a disaster. And he loves it!

So, the rule is simple: One type of toy at a time. If you’re playing with your building supplies… put them away BEFORE you get our your books.

Or if they are playing a board game, then don’t get out 2 or 3 board games when you haven’t cleaned the first up. So it’s more about types of toys vs how many are out.

#4. Do you have a toy purging system?

When it comes to getting rid of your kid’s toys you want to be…

• Fair
• unwavering
• considerate
• see it from your child’s perspective

Children of different ages and personalities will handle getting rid of toys in different ways. It may not be a big deal to throw out a baby’s toy, but older kids may feel violated by this act.

The key here is to get them to buy into your plan. So, look from their perspective and pick a getting rid of toys plan that works for everyone

Here are a few tips for getting rid of toys

• Use special occasions to get rid of toys: Take Christmas for example- while the kid’s are excited about their new toys, the old ones have to go to make room on the shelf.
• Have an organizing day: It’s possible to make this a fun day. You can show gratitude by donating special (unbroken) toys to a children’s home or donation center.
• Teach them that less is more: Everything has a place, and when we know where that is, it’s easier to have fun.
• Teach rational decision making skills: When it comes to getting rid of things, emotions can rise up. You can even use the book “Too Many Toys” to help with this.

Read: How to Get Rid of Toys Without Upsetting the Townspeople for more valuable tip’s on getting rid of toys.

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