The Toy Library

I first saw the toy library on a blog that I read daily called http://blog.wantingwhatyouhave.com. I love reading Heather's great ideas. I started our own toy library in our hall closet. I never have put the kids toys in their bedrooms simply because I like their rooms to be nice and neat. So the toys have been in a spare bedroom, living room (bad idea) and our back storage room. Nothing was working! Until I read about the toy library. Great Idea! I started by putting a large bookshelf in the closet, then I had lots of little bins to put the toys in. I put all blocks in one, all cars and trucks in one, and so on. I then took and labeled each bin A-L. I laminated a picture of each kid and put velcro on the back and stuck them to the wall. Now when the kids want to play they check out one bin at a time in the toy library. They pick the bin they want and put their picture in the empty spot. And they cannot check out anything else until they check the last toys played with back in. And if they are not picked up I just look to see who's face is in that missing bin's spot. Now no more but mom, he/she got it out, or toys all over the place. Problem Solved!