Toy Solutions at Grandma and Grandpa's Home

Toy Solutions at Grandma and Grandpa's Home

What do these three people have in common?

1) These grandparents' grandchildren live in a different state than they

live in and the children only visit twice a year. 

2) The grandparents live in a condo with limited space, 

3) another grandparent is 'obsessed with having a picture perfect home'.

The common dominator is they all love their grandchildren and want to have toys for them when they come to visit and play yet they don't know how to store toys without taking up a lot of space in their home. Organizing toys in small spaces can be a challenge. Here are some tried and true solutions:

1.Make a home for toys. Buy a container with a lid and fill it  with toys. The size of the container will determine how many  toys you can have. Plastic containers on wheels that slide under

a bed are a solution for those with small spaces. Plastic  drawers that stack and are on wheels could be stored in a closet  between visits. A wicker basket with a lid can double as a toy

chest and a coffee table. A chest of drawers not being used or  designating a couple of drawers can store children's costumes,  games and puzzles. A book case in a guest room or some other

infrequently used area of the home could hold books, puzzles and  larger items like dolls and large trucks. The size of the toy  could also determine if it is one for you to have in your home.

2.When using drawers for storage label the drawers by using a  label maker so the children know where to return the toy. For  younger children take a photo of what is in the drawer and tape  it to the drawer, either on the outside or if you prefer on the  inside of the drawer on the side where it is still visible. Keep  small pieces together in inexpensive plastic boxes or zip lock

bags. Using a sharpie permanent pen write on the container or  bag the game or toy that 'lives' inside.

3.Another solution to having toys for children to play with at  grandma and grandpas is to have the parents bring the children's  favorite toys when they come to play. However I prefer to have

toys that are different than the ones they have at home; ones  they can only play with at grandma and grandpas. This makes the  toys even more special. Besides the toys, stock activities that  can be done together to build fun memories with those precious  grandchildren when they come over and visit. Some ideas are  puzzles, clay, and dress up clothes to put on plays or for just pretending to help their imaginations grow. Take pictures of  them playing and make a little book to give to their parents as  a surprise or for some holiday like mother's or father's day.

So now you have the toys the kids enjoy playing with, the  containers for them to live in and a storage area has been  designated for the containers when they aren't being used; there

is one more thing to consider. Children need to know the  expectation is when they get the toys out to play with they are  also responsible to put them away. After play time or before

they go home leave time for them to put the toys away where they  belong. This teaches responsibility and a sense of ownership.  You won't dread them coming over and having a lot of extra work  to do cleaning up after them when they leave and you'll look  forward to them coming again.

Author: Marilyn Bohn