How to Conquer Post-Holiday Toy Overload

Written by Evelyn Cucchiara

The holidays are a magical time, but they often leave parents and kids buried under a mountain of new toys. While the influx of new items brings joy, it can also create chaos and overwhelm. That’s where my S.A.N.E. method comes in—Sort, Arrange, Name, and Empower. I’m The Toy Tamer, and I organize playrooms.

My proven system organizes your playroom in a way that’s simple, sustainable, and supportive of your child’s growth. By following my S.A.N.E. method, you can turn the post-holiday clutter into a well-ordered haven that sparks creativity and fun.  

Start by sorting toys into categories, such as puzzles, stuffed animals, and building sets. Next, arrange them in a way that maximizes both space and accessibility, using bins that are the right size, non breakable and easy for a child to carry. Then, name each bin with a photo label of your child’s actual toy and label the shelf, never the bin. Don’t forget to add the category, to promote pre-reading skills. Finally, empower your child by having them ring a bell to signal when the cleanup begins. Since you have pictures of the toys hanging above the space where they belong, cleanup becomes a matching game.

The bell is a clear signal to start, and a clear signal to end when everything is away. And empowering your children to take over the cleanup of the room, also puts them in charge to teach others. So when friends, cousins, grandparents (anyone but you), are in the room, your child gets to teach them how the system works. This fosters independence and responsibility. This step is crucial for creating a playroom that stays organized long after the initial cleanup, and teaches your children the executive functioning skills they need for life.

Ready to tackle the toy avalanche? Visit TheToyTamer.com to learn more about my playroom organizing services and online course tailored for busy moms. To help you get started, I’ve linked my favorite IKEA storage units here and the best Amazon storage bins here. These storage units and bins are durable, functional, and perfect for implementing the S.A.N.E. method. Say goodbye to toy chaos and hello to a stress-free, organized playroom in the new year!