{"id":1262,"date":"2012-02-16T15:09:00","date_gmt":"2012-02-16T20:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/2012\/02\/ideas-for-creating-and-storing-toy-stations.html"},"modified":"2024-05-30T10:31:24","modified_gmt":"2024-05-30T14:31:24","slug":"baby-time-ideas-for-creating-and","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/baby-time-ideas-for-creating-and\/","title":{"rendered":"Ideas for Creating and Storing Toy Stations"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Creating<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

When I made the decision to stay home with my children it was a big step from teaching in the classroom with many children to just one. I couldn’t help but think how am I going to keep my baby entertained and engaged during the day just by myself.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think one of the biggest tips I can give you as a Mom and as a teacher is to set up stations.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s really helpful to create toy stations around the house for your baby and toddler to explore during playtime.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Ideas<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

This post contains affiliate links <\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for Creating Toy Stations <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For our house, we have a family room with a few areas that easily make toy stations or corners. What I did was create some zones around the room for her to discover as she played.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also did the same thing in her bedroom too so we would have two areas during the daytime to play with. I’ve always found if I can create something visual for her she tends to stay in that area a little bit longer and engage with the toys for a longer period of time.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes I even set up rugs or a foam mat too, under the toy storage to encourage the length of time spent in an area and also visually it just seems more attractive.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I like to\u00a0set up a fine motor\u00a0station, a gross motor station, a pretend play area, and a book station.<\/p>\n\n\n

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As I set up the stations I try to keep a theme so that she will start to learn how to group things together that are similar.  I don’t put out everything we have for her to play with.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We rotate toys frequently in our house.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I keep the others stored in her closet and the toys by groups there too.  I find that my children really enjoy discovering new things but it’s not necessary to keep buying new ones, just rotate frequently.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I usually keep a group of toys out for about 3 weeks and then it’s time to switch.  Even if it’s too a new area of our house.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One tip I learned very early on is also to share toys with our close friends.\u00a0 When friends come over for a play date and find a toy they love love love… we file it into the back of our heads and the next time it’s time to switch we’ll switch some favorites that our little ones are not playing with currently.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s worked out well and is budget-friendly, eco-friendly, and builds responsibility and friendship with others.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Tips<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Creating Logical Groupings for Kids<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There’s a bonus to grouping things into containers too.\u00a0Creating Themes\u00a0also makes Cleanup time a lot easier when you know where they go.\u00a0Especially for visitors on play dates and also for family members who are busy at work and school during the daytime.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As my little one gets older I will also start to label the containers for environmental print to help her learn to read.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"How<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Ways To Organize Toys <\/h3>\n\n\n\n