Playroom Organization After The Holidays

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance your playroom feels overwhelming right now. After the holidays, many families struggle with playroom organization, especially when new toys are added to an already full space. Christmas was full of good things like time with family, fun gifts, and memories. But it probably also came with a large increase in toys. New toys mixed with old toys tend to push even the best systems past their limit.

If your playroom feels chaotic, it doesn’t mean you failed or didn’t organize correctly the first time. It simply means the volume has changed, and the system you had no longer supports what’s in the room today.

This post is meant to be practical and honest. These are the same steps I use in my own home and with my clients.

And yes, I’m writing this as a mom and professional organizer who is also staring down a post-holiday playroom and needed a friendly reminder of my own process for toy organization.

Step 1: Take Everything Out (or as Much as You Can)

This step feels big, and often difficult to do on your own, but it matters. You need to see what you’re actually working with.

If taking everything out feels unrealistic, focus on one category at a time:

• Puzzles

• Games

• Building toys

• Dolls and action figures

• Arts and crafts

Pull like items together so you can see how much you really have. Most families are surprised by the duplicates and forgotten toys hiding in the back of bins.

Pro tip: Use old Amazon boxes to help as you are pulling everything out and placing into categories if you don't have the bins to support this step.

Step 2: Out With the Old (and the Unused)

This is often the hardest step, especially after the holidays. But it can also be the most rewarding!

As you sort, ask a few simple questions:

• Is this age-appropriate right now?

• Does my child actually play with this?

• Is this broken, missing pieces, or frustrating to use?

You don’t need to get rid of everything. The goal is to make space so what stays can function well.

Less volume makes organizing easier and makes it easier for kids to play independently. As a professional organizer, I have loved going back into play areas I have organized in the past to see thoughtful play happening because the children now have what that enjoy playing with vs. all the added broken outgrown toys.

If it helps, start with a donation box (remember, Amazon boxes work great) and a trash bag and make decisions quickly. You can always pause and come back, progress matters more than perfection. Let me say it again, don't let a difficult decision slow you down. If uncertain whether to keep or discard a toy, keep it for the moment and keep moving.

Pro Tip: Have an accountability partner or friend to check in with you on this step - it can get overwhelming.

Step 3: Group Toys by Type and Purpose

Once you know what’s staying, group toys by category. This step sets the foundation for everything that follows.

When toys are grouped by type, kids can:

• Find what they’re looking for

• Put things away without guessing

• Clean up more independently

This is where many playrooms go wrong, too many mixed bins with no clear purpose. Simple, clear categories are easier for everyone. Be cautious of having too many miscellaneous categories. This creates an environment that is susceptible to disorganization. Also be cautious not to have too many micro categories like Barbie clothes, Barbie accessories, Barbie shoes, etc. Broad categories work best for most children.

Step 4: Choose Simple, Flexible Storage

Storage doesn’t need to be fancy, but it does need to match how your children actually play.

A few guidelines:

• Open bins are usually better than lidded ones for everyday toys

• Shelves should be low enough for kids to reach on their own

• Fewer, larger bins often work better than lots of small ones

Label bins if your children are old enough to understand them. Pictures work well for younger kids. The goal is to remove as many barriers as possible between playing and cleaning up.

Pro tips: Target has the perfect Y-Weave Baskets for kids' playrooms that are also affordable.

Step 5: Reset Expectations Around Daily Clean-Up

A perfectly tidy playroom is not realistic, especially during busy seasons of life. What is realistic is a short daily reset.

Set aside 5–10 minutes at the end of the day to:

• Put toys back in their zones

• Clear walkways

• Return large items to their home

This keeps the room from reaching a breaking point and makes deeper resets less overwhelming. When kids help with this process consistently, it slowly becomes part of their routine.

Step 6: Teach, Don’t Just Tidy

One of the most important parts of a sustainable playroom is teaching kids how to put things away.

That means:

• Showing them where items belong

• Keeping categories simple

• Practicing clean-up together at first

This takes time, and it won’t be perfect. Kids are kids. But over time, clear systems paired with consistency make a noticeable difference. Honest moment: I fall into the trap of "it's easier if I tidy and organize for them." Limit the amount of times you tidy their toy rooms but stay present when they are tidying their spaces to help encourage and motivate - modeling along the way.

Final Thoughts on Playroom Organization

The playroom is likely always going to be a challenge. It's just part of life with kids. Toys come in, interests change, and kids don’t think about organization the way adults do, and that’s okay.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s creating systems that are realistic for your family and flexible enough to grow and change.

And if you simply don’t have the time, energy, or bandwidth to tackle this right now, that’s where we can help.

At Southern Sort, we help families create organized playrooms that actually work. using the right toy storage solutions, thoughtful layouts, and systems designed to support busy families long-term.

If your playroom feels out of control and you’re ready for support, we’d love to help you bring it back to a place that feels manageable again.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

---

Hey! I'm Tiffany - a passionate, decluttering and organizing expert serving the Golden Isles. As a mom of 4, I quickly learned how clutter creates so much stress in our lives and impacts our home in a negative way. And learned that having systems in place can help create a more stable home for our families.

That's why I am on a mission to help busy women in Brunswick, St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, Sea Island, and the surrounding areas declutter and create systems that help their homes function with ease.

Interested in learning more about Southern Sort's organizing services, click the link below.

LEARN MORE