I generally reccommend that they pack 50% of the toys (I have kids and I did this when we moved.  When we unpacked in the new house, it was like Christmas all over again.)  For the rest, it is whatever storage solution I can get them to agree to. Baskets, buckets, under the bed, whatever...just kidding!

The wall net gets taken down - a pile of clutter is a pile of clutter whether it is on the floor or hanging on a wall. :)

Alright - Vote #! for taking down the tacky wall corer thing :) 

Oops...did I say that outloud???

Yes I also vote to take down the wall thing. 

 Love the 50% idea - thats fantastic!

Yes, wall thing down!  I have 2 little ones...part of the struggle moving parents worry about is how to hide half the toys without upsetting the kids.  Afterall, the whole family is feeling the stress!  The key is to make a game out of it.  If that doesn't work, thin the herd while the kids are sleeping or at grandmas!

Now, as to my favorite way to store toys...I'm a huge fan of cubbies that slide into bookcases.  You can pick up quickly, and the toys are not visible.  Toys on open shelves look too cluttered, and cutsie container are just too distracting.  Keep it simple and clean!

Now, kids are in bed, so I'm off to pick up the play room.  Yes, the exciting life I lead!

Susan

Patti & Susan - thanks for stopping in!  Excellent points Susan. Cutsie may not be so cute to others. 

So make that 3 total votes so far for the ugly, outdated wall thing down. :)

Beth, take it down - please!!!  I like Kimberly's idea of packing half of the toys away and then using your idea for storing the rest in those really nice storage units.  Now if the children are old enough, this might be the time to cull the toys for items they would like to send to those children less fortunate.  ie:  The Women's Shelter.  Thanks for the post.  Will be checking back to see how that 'hanging' thing is doing.  Betty

Hi Betty - Ok, I'll take it down. Wait...that thing is not allowed in my house!!!!

I agree, Kim's idea of taking away 50% of the toys is darn good...although dependant on the home. I also agree with Susan that children feel the stress of moving just as we do...so I typically go a little lighter on the kids tooms. In addition, most parents have already scaled down how much stuff is out for the kids  and taking away 50% of what may already be 1/3 of what they had before may be very little.  50% is all relative on how much stuff they really have in the home.

Actually Betty, you bring up another EXCELLENT point and something we do in our very own home (even though we aren't moving - TG!)

I'm happy for my children and how blessed they are with toys or spoiled at birthdays and holiday...BUT every 6 months (only 2 times per year) my kids and I go thru their bedrooms and toyroom and pick out the things that they no longer need or play with. We then pack them all up and bring them to the local woman's shelter, to DAV or another charitable organization.

Kind of killing three birds (although I wouldn't want to do that as I like their morning chirps) with one stone. Teaches my children about sharing and caring for others, helps keep ur house clutter free AND also provides new toys for some less fortunate familes.

Beth - Nix the Net.  I tread very carefully with parents and their children and toys.  I usually point out that anything that can cause a potential buyer to be distracted or feel uncomfortable and not likely to think of the property as "home" should be considered fair game for pack and store.  If it can't be packed and stored then let's come up with a creative solution together that can meet the family's needs.  That approach has taken the burden off me off me and gotten more buy in with families.  Keeping my fingers crossed it continues to work!

Jackie

Hi Jackie!

With the eloquent way you have worded things in the blog, I'm sure this approach will continue to work for you. Excellent way to handle what is sometimes a tough situation. It's never fun telling people their stuff has to go...especially children!   

I agree that this is a great time to clean our and give away. I also tell clients that any toys that imply violence should be packed away.

My other idea with too many toys comes from my own kids. If you ask parents to pack away 50% of the toys, have them packed in a space that's still accessible and call it the "trading room". Kids can get something out if they put something of the same size back in. That way the same amount of toys is always out, but kids have the opportunity to play with all of them.

Take the net down!

Hi Shelley!

Excellent idea with this "trading room" concept! Have to admit I'm envisioning this large overstuffed room that has toys crashing donwn on me when I open the door...but I know that 's not what you mean :)  If that were the case then my children SURELY need to be donating more!

All the best,

Beth

so cute! baskets are great because they look beautiful (or cute) and they can contain and put away so much stuff.

cheers,

cindy 

Cheers to you too Cindy! 

So...looks like everyone agrees...that ugly, dated mesh wall hanging thing needs to go! And how about that BORDER - ugh!

Sleep well all!

Beth, when my son was young, many many years ago before kids had waaaaaaaaay tooooooooo many toys, I took a tip from a friend who said she rotated her son's toys.  1/3 are available to play with, 1/3 have just been packed away, and 1/3 are waiting to reappear.  Like the comment made above, it was always Christmas for him because he always forgot about the packed up toys.  Using that system kept his toys in plastic bins, in the closet and left few strewn about the house.