Have you ever tripped over toys or slid on books left on the floor? Ya, I thought you’d know exactly what I’m talking about. Maddening, isn’t it? When it comes to my kids’ toys, I have a motto that ‘each item has a home’. Creating specific spaces for toys, books, dolls, puzzles etc ensures that items aren’t just piled anywhere creating that messy and cluttered look.
Yet, keeping childrens’ toys and books neatly organized and stored doesn’t have to be a daunting task. When you have the right products to help you, even the toyroom can be a clean and organized {unchaotic} space.
Recently I was sent a Step 2 Lift & Hide Bookcase for review, and it could have come at a perfect time. I had my kids’ books lined on the pony wall {shelf} in the toyroom, since it was the only space to properly store their books. Problem being, each time they took books down, many would fall it it. I needed a more child-friendly book shelf, which was at their level. As well, I didn’t have larger storage bins which they could easily access their many dolls and doll clothes.
I thought it was genius to combine both storage problems with one product, a bin to store items and a bookshelf all in one product. Multi-use items are always welcome in my home! The storage bin has 5 1/2 cubic feet of storage space, so I could store dolls, dress up clothes or any other group of toy which needed more of a ‘home’. The lid lifts and slides back, staying put into place. This is so great so that little fingers are not in danger of being hurt. And, if your kids are like mine and they half crawl into storage bins to retrieve items, there’s no fear of a heavy lid collapsing on their head.
The bookshelf holds more books that I originally thought, a great place to keep all their stories within convenient reach. Now that the books are at their level and in one place, they reach for their books more often. So, I love that in a round-about way, this Lift & Hide Bookcase encouraged more reading. Bonus! If that isn’t enough, the top shelf can hold other small items of your choosing as well. On ours we have a small basket of alphabet numbers. If you are like me and keep toys in groups, labeling bins also helps kids to remember these designated homes, and teaches reading skills too.
Now, to keep a toyroom clean and clutter-free, you might have to do a little Mom-repeating. Many times a day I am heard saying, “before you take out another toy, please put this one back in his home”. And, though it’s taking some nagging reminders, my kids are learning to clean up as they go.
When it comes time to do a really good organize and clean sweep of all the toys, asking for help, ‘taking the bears to their home’ is a ton easier than pointing and saying, ‘over there. no, over there’ {or just dumping eveything into one bin}.
An organized and clean toyroom looks better, feels better and makes it easier to find things when you need them. I used to get my oldest to help clean the toyroom, yet I would just clean her room for her. Yet I see now that starting with one room at a time, spills into other organizational areas. So, by teaching my daughter to keep her toyroom organized and clean, she now {on her own} keeps her bedroom neat too.
Disclosure: I received product to facilitate this review, all opinions are my own.
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Cute! My girls would love a bowling set. megancrose at gmail dot com
my daughter would love any of the swingsets
We would love the Speedway Storage Chest…We have a LOT of toys
i’d love to have the up and down elephant for my youngest
LifeStyle™ Twin Bed this bed would be fun
I love organization!! My kids would love to have the Canyon Road train and track table. Perfect for my little artist and my little boy who loves trains and trucks!!
Awesome storage solution, love it! Thanks for sharing.
I follow on GFC as LMC1971 and like your Facebook page as Lisa Carbone.
Best, Lisa
lisa[_]carboneathotmail[dot]com
Build & Store Block & Activity Table is another favorite
Nice place for the kids to do crafts!
karenmed409 at comcast dot net
OMG this would be so awesome for my house. I gotta say I Love step two!~!
I like the Little Helper’s Grocery cart.
I would also like the Play & Shade Patio Set
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Dies anyonw know where i can get the wall art alphabet stencil on the wall in the photo?? I’m looking for a NON tacky one like this….
The Canyon road train and track table would be so awesome as well! I love Step2.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
The speedway storage chest would be a big help!
pls delete… didn’t realize US only
The OSU Wagon For Two Plus would be nice when grandchildren visit.
I love the Grand Walk-In Kitchen for my daughter
dmkayes@gmail.com
My son would love the canyon train and track table
tmc480 at yahoo dot com
would be sooooooo helpful!!
My grandson would love the Click & Whirl Mower Blower.
I like the Lifestyle Twin Bed.
misusedinnocence@aol.com
I would also like the Play Picnic Table.
i love the Flip & Doodle Easel Desk
the play and shade patio set
ryanac32 at yahoo dot com
My son would also love the Clubhouse Climber & Sandbox Combo.
I would love the neat and tidy cottage
My kids would love the Deluxe Canyon Road Train & Track Table
alsatia23 at hotmail dot com
Clubhouse Climber looks lovely for my backyard
vmkids3 at msn dot com
I like the lift&roll toy box
flychild7(at)gmail(dot)com
CJ would love the Basic Rhythms Bongos.
up and down elephant
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com
We would love to have the Extreme Coaster.
dlsloveblogs(at)gmail(dot)com
Mys sons would love a bowling set
MY daughter would love the Cozy Kitchen.
laura dot hopelessromantic dot emerson at gmail dot com
The Play & Shade Patio Set for the Grand Kids
Grand Balcony Dollhouse is so cute!
tdlsfm(at)gmail(dot)com
Well, I was looking through the website and my tot happened in and went nuts over the 50’s Diner, so easily I can say he’d like that toy.
I think my boys would like the Build & Store Block & Activity Table.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com
The Tool Chest Dresser looks very nice!