Told Kids To Get ALL The Toys Out...

[rmc20021]

I usually have the kids only get a couple toys out to play with at a time and put them away when they are finished with them. This morning, every time I turned around there was a trail of toys from the toy basket, to wherever a child was playing.

So, I decided to show them what it would be like if they had EVERY free toy out on the floor. I TOLD them to get every single toy out and put onto the floor.

As they were doing this, they began making comments about how hard it was going to be to put them all back again.

After they had everything out, we discussed WHY it's not a good idea to have all the toys thrown around on the floor. They were shocked themselves at what they saw.

A good lesson learned today...hopefully.

[Mom&Provider]

I have mostly little ones, so explaining and showing the tidy up process is often left with me cleaning up most toys. I like your idea and I've also seen on here alot about limiting the number of baskets/toys out at once, like that idea too!

Hope your taught them something today by actually SHOWING them!!

[Play Care]

Hope it helped!
I have kids from almost 2 - 4 1/2. A few weeks ago they were "toy dumping" and after many reminders, clean up times, etc. I brought out the garbage bag and said sadly "It's not safe to have all these toys out, and since you are not putting them back when you are done, Ms K has to put them in the basement." The were upset but I followed through.
Actually the toys are still there, they are better about putting things back and cleaning up, but I like less mess::

[Bookworm]

I usually have the kids only get a couple toys out to play with at a time and put them away when they are finished with them. This morning, every time I turned around there was a trail of toys from the toy basket, to wherever a child was playing.

So, I decided to show them what it would be like if they had EVERY free toy out on the floor. I TOLD them to get every single toy out and put onto the floor.

As they were doing this, they began making comments about how hard it was going to be to put them all back again.

After they had everything out, we discussed WHY it's not a good idea to have all the toys thrown around on the floor. They were shocked themselves at what they saw.

A good lesson learned today...hopefully.

I did this once and got the same response. That's when I knew how smart my class was. They haven't pulled every toy out since and will call out any DCK that tries to. I love my DCKs.

[dave4him]

We dumped all the toys out of the toy box once.... they spent the rest of play time in the empty box

[DCBlessings27]

We dumped all the toys out of the toy box once.... they spent the rest of play time in the empty box

My daughter would definitely have done something similar. I have pictures of her sitting in a box that she loved to play in. Half the time, she takes random objects from around the house and uses them to play instead of playing with her tons and tons of toys.