Tame the Clutter with Toddler Toy Rotations
Finding your way with the TimeTrek Guide to Total Home Optimization
Welcome back! My Fridays are all about bringing order and efficiency to your home – that "Total Home Optimization" we all crave! This week, we're tackling a beast many of us know far too well: Toddler. Toy. Chaos. If you're drowning in a sea of blocks, cars or dolls, stuffed animals, and those mysteriously multiplying small parts (where do they come from?!), then a toy rotation might just be your lifesaver. It's a simple system that can transform playtime from overwhelming to engaging, and – bonus! – it makes cleanup a whole lot easier.
Now, I'm not going to pretend that toy rotation is some magical cure-all that will instantly banish all potential mess. Let's be real – toddlers are masters of chaos! There will still be days when toys end up scattered everywhere. But, I promise, a well-implemented toy rotation system significantly reduces the overall volume of mess and makes cleanup much more manageable. It's about progress, not perfection. Think of it as a tool to help you tame the chaos, not eliminate it entirely.
Why Toy Rotation? (Besides Saving Your Sanity)
Toy rotation isn't just about minimizing clutter (although, let's be honest, that's a huge win!). It's also about:
Keeping it Fresh: Limiting the number of toys available sparks your child's curiosity and encourages them to play in new and creative ways. What was once old and forgotten suddenly becomes exciting again! It's like a mini-birthday, every week (or however often you rotate).
Focused Play (Yes, It's Possible!): Fewer toys mean less overwhelm. Toddlers can actually concentrate better and engage in more imaginative play when they're not bombarded with choices. Experts suggest that having fewer toys available can lead to longer stretches of focused play with each toy. This, in turn, helps them develop better focus and encourages more creative interactions – a win-win for development.
Cleanup That Doesn't Make You Want to Scream: With fewer toys out, cleanup is quicker, less stressful, and way more manageable – for both you and your little ones. (And let's be real, toddler "help" with cleanup can sometimes be... less than helpful.)
Intentional Learning: Toy rotation allows you to strategically select toys that align with your child's current interests and developmental stage. You're curating their play environment - sneaky but effective!
A Simple System
The core of the toy rotation system is surprisingly simple. Here's the breakdown:
Step 1: Gather and Sort
Gather all of your toddler's toys (excluding their special comfort items or other all-the-time toys, like their single set of blocks). Now, sort them into broad categories. Think:
Fine Motor Toys: Puzzles (chunky pieces), stacking cups, lacing beads.
Gross Motor Toys: Push/pull toys, balls, soft blocks.
Pretend Play Toys: Dolls, play food, dress-up clothes.
Sensory Toys: Sensory bins, playdough, textured balls.
Early Literacy Toys: Board books, alphabet puzzles, magnetic letters.
Early Math Toys: Counting bears, shape sorters, stacking rings
Creative Expression: Crayons, markers, paper, coloring books
Stimulating Toys: Electronic toys with buttons/sounds, musical toys with lights.
Small-Part Play Sets: (Legos, play sets, etc. - keep these in separate containers within the larger bin)
Want a more detailed breakdown of these categories, with examples and explanations? Download my free PDF guide at the bottom of this post!
Step 2: Divide and Conquer
The number of rotations you create is totally up to you! I personally use a four-rotation system because it fits perfectly with my weekly Sunday reset routine – I swap out the toys as part of my overall home reset. This means each group of toys gets a week in the spotlight. But, you could easily do two, three, or even five (or more) rotations! It all depends on how many toys you have, how much storage space you have, and what feels manageable for you.
For my four rotations, I use three storage containers. These can be anything that works – decorative baskets, plastic totes, even laundry baskets or that good sturdy cardboard box you’ve been saving. No need to go out and buy anything fancy! The key is to find containers that are large enough to hold a reasonable amount of toys but small enough to be easily stored.
Storage Space a Challenge? I get it. Not everyone has a huge linen closet or spare room to dedicate to toy storage. You don’t need anything fancy to get started today! If you're short on space or containers, here are a few ideas:
Smaller Rotations: Instead of four large bins, try six or eight smaller ones. You can store them under beds, in closets, or even on shelves in plain sight.
Vertical Space: Use stackable bins or shelves to maximize vertical storage.
Under-Bed Storage: Those flat, under-bed storage containers are perfect for toys!
Get Creative: Repurpose existing storage solutions. Could an old dresser drawer be used for toy storage? Can you put everything in a tote in the garage? A less-frequently rotated tote in the attic, basement, or shed?
The Ultimate Solution: Declutter First: Sometimes, the best way to manage toy clutter is to simply have less stuff. Before you start rotating, consider doing a thorough decluttering of your child's toys. (More on that in a future post?)
The "active" toys – the ones currently in play – can go in a toy box or be sorted by type in shallow, open baskets (for visibility and easy access).
Once you’ve got your bins, take each category of toys and divide the items roughly evenly among the _however many_ rotations.
Step 3: The Rotation
Every week (or whatever frequency works best for your family), swap the "active" bin with one of the "storage" bins. Suddenly, your toddler has a "new" set of toys to explore! You don't even have to schedule it – just swap when you notice the toys aren't holding their attention as long. It is as simple as grabbing the next container and exchanging the toys!
Step 4: Reassess
Every week (or whenever you’re ready to swap out rotations), gather all the toys, pull the contents of the next rotation, and put the last week’s toys in the empty bin. This is a good time to reassess. Make note of any missing parts or pieces so you can put out a BOLO. I often go with the container method of decluttering, so if something doesn’t fit - I’ll take a second to go through the rotations and decide what can go.
Books: A Special Case
While you can certainly rotate some books, it's also important to have a large selection of favorites readily available on a bookshelf. Consider rotating themed books, either by including them in your main toy rotation bins or by creating a separate, smaller rotation just for books, while keeping classics accessible. I like to include specific types of books (counting, alphabet, color) and coloring books in my rotations to clear up some room on the bookshelf. (Pro-tip: I actually store holiday books with the holiday decorations – major space saver!)
Making It Work: Practical Tips
Labeling is Key: For sets with multiple pieces, consider taking a photo of the completed set or counting the pieces, so you know what to look for during cleanup. Alternatively, you can write down the number of parts so you can tell if you need to go find the rest of the alphabet blocks under your bed, for example.
Zipper Bags & Small Containers: For toys with small parts (like Legos, puzzle pieces, or play food), use zipper bags or small, latching containers within the larger bin. This prevents pieces from getting lost and makes cleanup much easier.
The "Mission" Cleanup (Make it a Game): Make cleanup a game! Instead of saying, "Clean up all your toys," give your kids specific "missions": "Can you find all the red blocks?" or "Let's put all the puzzle pieces back in their bag." This makes it more engaging and teaches them to be responsible for their belongings. It is also much easier to say "We still need half of the track!" than “go find everything.”
The Craft Box Exception: If you have a budding artist, consider having a dedicated craft box with readily available supplies (crayons, paper, scissors, glue, etc.). The key rule here is: everything goes back in the box when they're finished. I like to use a small handled craft tote with a locking lid. The locking lid is important (toddler + scissors + unsupervised = disaster waiting to happen. Trust me. IYKYK.).
Consumables: For those $1-3 dollar spot craft finds, consider putting some in each bin at the start of the month. Things like dinosaur digs, stickers, and small paint sets are great activities.
Flexibility is Your Friend: Don't be afraid to adjust the system to fit your family's needs. You might rotate toys more or less frequently, or you might have different categories. The goal is to find what works best for your family. There's no one-size-fits-all solution.
Seasonal Rotations: Consider rotating outdoor toys seasonally. A big tote in the garage dedicated to summer toys, for example, keeps things organized and accessible.
The "Found Parts" Basket: Keep a small basket, box, or even a decorative vase in a handy place (I use a wide vase on my mantle!). When you inevitably find a stray puzzle piece or Mr. Potato Head's ear, just toss it in the basket. This way, you have a designated spot for those orphaned parts, and you can easily reunite them with their sets during your next cleanup or rotation.
Homeschool Toy Rotation (A Sneak Peek!): If you're homeschooling, toy rotation can be a fantastic tool for managing learning materials and keeping your little ones engaged, especially toddlers. I use a daily rotation for some of my 2-year-old's learning toys to keep things fresh and prevent boredom. It also helps me stay organized and intentional with learning activities. I'll be sharing a much more detailed post about this soon, with specific examples and strategies, so stay tuned! [I’ll put that link here when it’s ready]. It kind of goes along with my posts about working in homeschool for toddlers, which you can find here.
The 'New Toy' Introduction (Dealing with Resistance): Some toddlers might initially resist having their toys "taken away." It's a totally normal reaction! To make the transition smoother, try these strategies:
Involve Them: Let your toddler help you sort the toys and put them in the bins. This gives them a sense of ownership and control.
"Special Toy" Exception: If your child has a very special toy that they can't bear to be without, let them keep it out of the rotation.
Positive Framing: When you introduce a "new" bin of toys, make it exciting! Talk about all the fun things they can do with the toys.
Gradual Introduction: If your child is very resistant, start with just one or two rotations and gradually add more as they get used to the system.
Don't Give Up Sometimes your little one is just not in the mood to give up their favorite things - and that's okay! Pick your battles.
A Note for Older Kids:
While this post specifically focuses on toddlers, the toy rotation system can absolutely adapted for older children as well! It's a great way to manage toys for kids of all ages, especially if you have multiple children with different interests. We’re in a season of older kids not really playing with toys all that much so we keep our rotation to toddler toys.
Making it work for your family
As always, customize, customize, customize! Toy rotation was a game-changer for me managing toy clutter and creating a more engaging play environment. It's a simple system that can have a big impact on your home's overall organization and your family's peace of mind. And you can easily use the same concepts - rotate seasonally for outside toys and yard equipment, or even daily, like I do for my toddler’s homeschool activities. Rotate seasonally for outside toys and yard equipment. Or even daily, like I do for my toddler’s homeschool activities.
To help you get started, I've created a simple, printable PDF worksheet where you can brainstorm your own toy categories and plan your rotations! By taking the time to set up a toy rotation system, you're not just tidying up – you're creating a space where learning and play can flourish.
-xoxo TimeTrek Mama
Thanks for reading! This is where I share general insights and strategies from my own family’s experience and from working with other homeschoolers - on Fridays, I share my Mama-take on Total Home Optimization! If you’d like to see more, follow along on 𝕏 TimeTrekFam for daily updates and general shenanigans and click below to subscribe for free on Substack for the real content!
Don’t just take my word for it, here’s the research:
Dauch, C., Imwalle, M., Ocasio, B., & Metz, A. E. (2018). The influence of the number of toys in the environment on toddlers’ play. Infant Behavior and Development, 50, 78-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2017.11.005
Interested in homeschooling your toddlers? Check out these posts:
