By 
Many parents know the daily struggle I call the “toy battle.” I start my day at home with my toddler, with toys neatly arranged. But by 9 a.m., chaos ensues: small-world figures are scattered across the floor when I turn away briefly to set up a painting activity.
As I tidy up, a new mess appears as every teddy bear and stuffed animal gets dumped out, covering the room. This cycle continues, with moments of play interspersed with endless tidying.
The relentless mess makes toys feel like an adversary, distracting me from engaging fully with my daughter. To create more meaningful playtime and reduce cleanup, we’ve implemented some practical strategies.
First, we took time to review all her toys. She had so many that many went unnoticed, with some no longer age-appropriate and others simply uninteresting. Toys that might interest her later were stored away. The rest were sorted into sell, donate, or recycle categories.
We used local parent groups on WhatsApp and Facebook to find new homes for most items and donated others to organizations like The Toy Project and The British Heart Foundation. Broken toys were dropped off at the recycling center.
We were quite strict about what stayed. My daughter, being young, didn’t resist letting things go, but I’d suggest a thoughtful conversation with older children about each item’s value and use.
Our previous storage system was inadequate, leading to clutter. We invested in a spacious, accessible cabinet for our living room, making it easy for my daughter to reach her toys. We also reserved a separate cupboard for items requiring supervision, preventing her from accessing art supplies on her own.
Inspired by the Montessori approach, we implemented a toy rotation system. We keep a limited number of toys accessible, storing the rest. When a toy reappears, it feels fresh and exciting. This rotation has improved my daughter’s focus and interest in her toys, allowing her to play longer.
Around ten toys suffice, and I set up a play area on top of the toy cabinet, changing it weekly. The selection includes a mix of activities, such as musical instruments, puzzles, and imaginative play options.
Maria Montessori emphasized an orderly environment to help children focus, feel calm, and move easily within the space. Rather than adults cleaning up, she advocated for children to participate in tidying.
Children can begin learning to tidy around 18 months, fostering independence and developing coordination and sorting skills. Since my daughter tidied at nursery, I sought her teachers’ advice to encourage it at home. They shared a cleanup song and recommended making it a fun game. Now, when she dumps out toys, she often puts them away before I even get a chance to worry.
Finally, after our toy review, we are selective about new toys. The temptation to buy is strong, but now every toy must meet specific criteria: it should be versatile, grow with her, and be shareable when she outgrows it.
When the toy cupboard feels uninspiring, we tap into our creativity instead.
