“When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they’re finished, I climb out.” – Erma Bombeck

“[Organizing] your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing.” – Phyllis Diller

Here are some tips to keep in mind when you are organizing for children.

1. Safety First

Before you get carried away with the latest kid organization idea you see online or in a magazine, keep safety in mind!

Make sure that the storage furniture and containers you use are suitable for kids.

There are special safety standards for furniture that’s made just for children. You can’t just re-purpose any piece of furniture for kids – watch out for sharp edges and hardware, dangerous hinges, splintery wood and tall pieces that might topple over. Your grandmother’s old trunk with the heavy lid doesn’t belong in the playroom! No matter how cute that idea looked in a blog or on Pinterest.

Make sure any high furniture is securely anchored to the walls.

Store heavier items on low shelves or the floor so that they can’t be knocked down and hurt someone.

Don’t even think of using zippered plastic bags or glass containers when it comes to organization for children.

Use lightweight containers that won’t crush little toes if they are dropped. Fabric bins and thin plastic containers are great choices.

2. Durability

Kids play hard, so you want products that are well-made and will stand up to years of use. If your kids are climbers, it’s especially important that you get furniture that’s sturdy!

Containers may be dropped or tossed around, another reason that durable plastic or cloth is a good bet.

3. Size Wise

One size does not fit all! Desks, tables and chairs should be the right size for your kids so that they can work and play with ease and avoid strains.

Light-weight furniture makes it easy for kids to re-arrange the room to suit their needs.

An adjustable keyboard tray promotes proper form at the computer.

Low shelves and kid-sized containers make it easy for children to put stuff away themselves.

Containers shouldn’t be too heavy or too big for kids to handle. Speaking of handling, containers with handles are especially handy for kids.

4. Label!

Labels are especially important when it comes to organizing for kids. With labels, everyone knows what goes where.

Get your kids involved in coming up with labels that are most meaningful to them. I was working with an 8 year old girl and suggested labeling one bin “Cars and Trucks.” She replied, “How about Vehicles?” Much better!

Label storage containers and the edges of shelves.

Add a photo or drawing for kids who can’t read yet.

GO Try It!

Apply these tips and you’ll create organization systems for kids that are fun and functional! And most importantly, it will be easy for you – and your kids – to put things away.

Please share any tips you have on organizing for kids below!

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