The Plural of Lego is Lego

We have been digging Lego Masters recently and that got us thinking about something we almost always find when organizing playrooms. You guess it, that classic building toy, Lego. When it comes to sheer volume, few toys can fill up your house like Lego. However, from an organizing stand point Lego often presents a few challenges. In the past, most children would play with Lego over and over again letting their imagination run wild. These days Lego sets usually get built once and then sit on a shelf displayed only as a model instead of getting used. This habit can create space issues. Of course another issue can be Lego blocks strewn all over your house. It is no secret that scientists feel the most painful thing on Earth is stepping on a Lego in your bare-feet. Ben’s wife feels there should be an 800-number you can call after stepping on a block for the sole purpose of screaming into the phone. If your space is over run with Lego we are pleased to offer some suggestions.

Quantity

You may find that your little ones don’t actually play Lego if hundreds of blocks fill multiple bins. It can be overwhelming to see a sea of bricks with no clear sense of where to begin. Builders may also need a clear surface or table to play with Lego as carpeting can quickly become the enemy of small blocks. Before you pick the best storage solution for your blocks take the time to review all the Lego. You know your kids best and know how they play. Is having tons of Lego actually stressing them out? Perhaps they have outgrown certain sets. Are sets missing pieces? Lego can be donated to preschools and kindergarten classes (don’t worry if you can’t find all the correct pieces). Now that you have a handle on the Lego quantity you are keeping you can accurately select the best place for them to live.

Storage

We aren’t keeping these building blocks just to keep them, we want them to be used and enjoyed. Your 40lb six year-old can’t lift heavy stacked bins so they simply won’t bother. We want things to go in easily but also come out easily. Drawers work great for storing toys and simple clear versions can make for maximum space savings. So often we are rushed and clean up quickly and shove everything away. However, these days Lego sets aren’t only expensive they are also complicated with some sets containing over 700 pieces. Drawers allow for sets to stay together avoiding not only frustration but neglect.

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If your kids are younger and keeping the sets together isn’t as important then keeping them in one place for quick use you may want to try something like a Swoop Bag. If your child is using Duplo or not making a specific set these bags work well. Storage solutions like this allow for quick clean up.

If you have time on your hands and lean slightly toward the OCD camp there is no end to how refined you can sort Lego. Just remember, the more subcategories the more plastic drawers or containers you will have taking up space in your home. Before you go down this path. focus on your goals. Unless you plan on spending a lot of time or have begun training to be a Lego Master it probably isn’t worth the trouble to turn things into a Lego workshop.

In order to reclaim your space from an army of mini-figs start with treating them like other toys with the understanding that toys exist to be played with. Hiding Lego in giant bins may make your feet feel good in the short term but organizing isn’t just about finding what you are looking for it is also about being more productive. And when it comes to Lego that means building awesome creations.

The “Perfect” Playroom

Kathleen shares her thoughts on the “Perfect” Playroom.

Real Image from a Professional Organizer's playroom

Perfect and playroom are two words, in my mind, that should never be grouped together and if they are than you may not be using the room correctly. I would love to have a picture perfect playroom like you see in magazines, but they do not exist if you have actual real-life human children playing in them. I believe playrooms should be used and even messy. However, it is the ease as which items can be put away that should command your focus. Everything should have a home and if there are multiple people who do the putting away- there should be labels. Toys should not be hidden or most likely they will stay hidden and then forgotten. Toys should be easily accessible and in turn easily put away. Shallow shelves, clear containers without lids when possible. I also love me a good theme, have a dress-up area, arts & craft area, and an  area for dramatic play.

I set my playroom or play area up so if the situation arises, usually this means someone decides to stop by unexpectedly, I can literally “toss” items away and off the floor in an instant. 

As an organizer and a mother of two small children, the most common statement I hear is “your home must be so organized”. My answer? I’m a mom, it’s as organized as I can get it and for as long as they let it stay that way. On any given day our playroom looks like a toddler tornado just hit it. As much as I love having it look”pretty”, I also love (yes I know - the horror of a pro organizer stating this) seeing such a disaster. It tells me my kids are being kids and having a blast playing with all those clutter inducing toys that my family and friends purchased for them. It makes me smile. What might make it different than other homes though is I also smile knowing there are proper homes for all the toys and there is a system in place that I or anyone taking care of my kids and/or home can rely on. I organize for my children but more importantly for me - so I can find things, easily put things away, and also teach my kids how to put things away properly. Will they always do it - no. It is often a struggle and of course frustrating.  Kids learn through example and surprisingly they do love being able to find their toys with ease. 

Make clean up a game - time them or race them. Show them that putting their toys away can be easy- they will catch on quickly. My children know exactly where their toys live.  Do they put all their toys away, all the time - of course not, but they try (in their own way). At 3 and 6, I feel like I win half the battles.  Stay strong care givers and let your children play! 

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If you need help setting up your “perfect playroom”- contact H2H anytime. 

You can also check out our Amazon store for more great toy storage ideas as well.

Gifts That Keep on Giving (you a headache)

Thanks to free trade and the rise of plastic, toys are relatively inexpensive and easy to find. When you factor in birthday parties, the December holidays, carnivals, amusement parks and family vacations the sheer number of toys in one's household can be overwhelming (for more on this phenomena check my son’s bed). In addition to stopping the siege before it starts by switching focus from stuff to experiences, there are some easy steps you can take that will help eliminate a toy story with an unhappy ending.

Can GI Joe go in the microwave?

Find a time to recycle or throw away broken or soiled toys. Also, inexpensive toys with missing pieces should go. Any age-inappropriate toys should be taken out of circulation. Any sentimental toys should be sent to live with the keepsakes and out of the playroom.

The work of children is play

Watch how your child actual plays with toys and study their interests. Toys that you may think are cool often collect dust. Instead of a lot of unused toys focus on getting toys that your child will love. Take toys out of circulation and rotate them in and your child will think they are new.

A good home

While Goodwill does not take toys many places do. Preschools go through toys fast so help them keep up with demand. Used toys should not go to hospitals and check to make sure none of your donated items have been recalled. The VVA will pick up toys as well as most other donates you may have. Additionally, there are worthy places for your donated toys in Fairfield County.  

Play Time Never Ends

Toys Are Meant To Be Played With

Over the years, one of the biggest challenges my clients have dealt with has to do with toys. From tripping hazards to ninja swords sticking out of sofa cushions parents are simply overwhelmed when it comes to their kid's toys. The central issue is the battle between the grownups desire to have the toys off the floor and the kid's desire to play with them.

The first issue that needs to be addressed before any playroom system can be designed is volume. Thanks to free trade and the rise of plastic toys are fundamentally not expensive (I know, I know LEGO are). In theory, if the whole class is invited to a child’s party plus factoring in relatives a four-year-olds haul from an annual party could be almost 40 toys. So how do we get rid of toys if my kid loves them? The answer lies with the kid. Watch them, how do they play and what really interests them? We all know the old adage about the kids playing with the box it came in and ignoring the toy. If we take away the concept of them merely enjoying the new toy and observe their play habits, we may find that that beloved new toy quickly collects dust in a remote corner of a shelf. I have found that simply taking unpopular toys out of rotation often goes un-noticed. Another useful strategy is to collect the toys and talk to the children about all the kids in the world who may not have any toys and have them select some for specific donation.

The Gate Keeper

Now that the number has been reduced what about next year, how do we stop more toys from coming into the house?  A possible respite from the onslaught of birthday and holiday toys is to become the gatekeeper. Ask party guests to donate to a charity instead of toys knowing that you will get your kid one or two actual toys that she actually wants. I know what you’re thinking, what about the grandparents? They love to shower the grandkids with gifts (all the time). We want to focus their gift giving on experiences. Tickets to the Lion King are not cheap let them take your little birthday boy. How about swimming, soccer, piano or guitar lessons. All those extracurricular activities add up so why not let mom and dad pick up the tab. Of course, the real grandparent dilemma is that they may still want to have your kids rip open wrapping party and have something tangible in their hands at Christmas. The solution, assign blame. Tell Pop-Pop that you would love to have him get a million toys for his only grandson but the doctor feels too much stimulation is making it hard for him to learn to read. Or my favorite all the stuffed animals are creating a dangerous dust situation that makes your granddaughter’s allergies flair up.
Lastly, knowing that the work of childhood is play, think about the goal of each toy. Is the same joy level reached with the 45th Matchbox car compared to the 2nd?