The Great Toy Room Overhaul (Part One)

Last night, I decided to rearrange and sort my children's play space. Great idea to have at 7.45 at night with one crucial element needing more strength than I have alone (I wanted to shift a shelf unit). It took me 4 hours and a good friend (and her man) coming to my rescue!

Just like their parents, my children have a lot a ridiculous amount of toys and things. It was becoming a PITA to keep tidy and they were not respecting their possessions and my efforts of cleaning up after them repeatedly. I had lost count of the times I have warned them that if they didn't pack away, I would pass their toys to children less fortunate. Not to mention the room looking like Fisher Price had vomited everywhere.

Here comes the part where I admit to my children having a "toy room" (the open plan family/games room near the kitchen and meals areas) and then a "spare toy room" (third bedroom) almost full of more crap toys. In our defence I previously ran a Family Day Care business from home and have held onto a lot of the toys/games/activities. I would rotate toys from that room out into the main play space, until they decided that they could just trash use both rooms.

I had to get it sorted. My main focus was to remove the TV and DVD player and pretty much get it back to basics. Toys with scope for endless imaginative play; books, blocks, puzzles, kitchen corner, home made and wooden toys. Out went pretty much everything requiring batteries or a "licenced' brand on it.

Now for the photos. I was so proud of the end result, I took a heap! Don't you just love a before and after...

Before Mumma attacks (and how it usually looks at the end of the day when they don't clean up).

And the "spare" toy room

All this even after one crate of toys went to the grandparent's house and 1 full packing box went to the garage. 

But the moment you have been waiting for (after all that rambling)

Drum roll please...........

TV be gone! Shelving unit now upright!

They can still reach their books!

Black tubs hold musical instruments and dress ups.
There's art and 'Folio' books on the shelves.

White boxes have dolls, puppets and duplo inside.
Small table from the meals area.

   

Home corner moved to opposite side of room. (kitchen makeover coming soon)

I'm so pleased with it! It was well worth the late night.

Click "older posts" for part two.