If your house is anything like mine, toys tend to take over almost every room in your home. At some point during the day, there are usually toys in the kitchen, family room, and TV room all at the same time. Such is life with kids. So when it's time to clean up, I make sure that every one of those toys has a home to go to. All it takes is a little organization. Here are a few ideas to help you keep those toys organized in your home.

Contain the smaller items.

Action figures, small toy cars, dress-up jewelry, and Barbie dolls and accessories are just some of the things that can be put in containers for easy small toy organization. If you can, stackable is the way to go here. Stackable containers give you more space and are easier to organize. Shoe boxes (plastic or cardboard) work well for these smaller items. You can even get the kids more interested in using the boxes if you let them personalize them. Get a sheet of stickers and let them go crazy on the box. Using different colored labels for the different boxes that the items go into can help kids who can't read yet put the right item in the right box.

Nets and shelves.

Nets that stretch over corners can work well to hold lots of stuffed animals. If you'd rather display the stuffed animals so that you can see them, shelves are good way to go. Shelves also work well for putting away all of those containers you have of all the smaller toys. It also works well for those medium sized toys that are too small for the floor but too big to go much of anywhere else. Adjustable shelving (the kind that has brackets that screw into the wall) that can grow and change as your child grows and changes is the best investment. Many adjustable shelving units can be changed and modified into a computer desk for older children.

Getting rid of the old stuff.

Because your child is sure to get more toys on his/her birthday and at special holidays, make sure that you schedule time to get rid of the old toys. Ideally, you want to get rid of toys that your child no longer plays with and has outgrown. If your child is old enough, have them participate in helping you get rid of the toys. If you will be donating the old toys, go through the toys with your child and explain that you are giving away his/her old toys so that a child that doesn't have toys can enjoy them. Also explaining that he/she will be getting new toys shortly can help ease the blow too.