Drowning in Toys? Here's a Professional Organizer’s Guide to Sorting the Chaos
Whew! We just wrapped up a massive toy organization project that involved thousands of pieces—from tiny Lego bricks and Pokémon cards to bulky trucks and board games. If you're staring at overflowing bins (or maybe piles on every surface!) wondering where to even begin, you're not alone.
So many families feel completely overwhelmed by the sheer volume of toys kids accumulate over the years. The good news? There is a way through the mess—and it doesn’t have to be painful.
As a professional organizer, I’ve helped countless families get back control of their playrooms, bedrooms, and shared spaces. Whether you're doing it solo, recruiting a buddy, or bringing in backup (like our organizing team here in Louisville, KY), here’s a tried-and-true strategy to simplify the process.
☑ Step 1: Start Small & Stay Focused
Professional organizing isn’t about doing everything at once—it’s about breaking big tasks into manageable chunks.
◈ Grab a few small bins (shoebox-size works great) to help you stay focused.
◈ Use shallow containers for sorting tiny toys like action figures, doll shoes, or puzzle pieces.
◈ Smaller batches mean faster decisions and less chaos on the floor.
☑ Step 2: Set Up a Sorting System Before You Begin
Before you touch a single toy, create your decluttering categories:
◈ 🧸 Keep
◈ ❤️ Donate
◈ 🔄 Recycle
◈ 🚮 Discard (for broken or unsafe items)
Label your bins or bags clearly so you’re not scrambling to decide what goes where mid-sort. A good sorting system keeps your momentum going and helps avoid decision fatigue—a major cause of organizing burnout.
☑ Step 3: Use the “Sifting” Technique
Here’s one of my favorite professional organizing hacks: treat toy sorting like sifting flour.
◈ Spread a layer of toys across a large tray or surface
◈ First, pull out the biggest items—these are the easiest to sort
◈ Go through the layer again, grabbing medium-sized toys
◈ Finally, handle the smallest pieces (like all those Lego heads and mini Pokémon cards)—by then, the rest of the clutter is out of the way, and similar items will often be grouped
together.
This method speeds things up and reduces stress.
Final Thought: Organizing Kids’ Toys Doesn’t Have to Be a Battle
Whether you’re trying to reclaim the playroom, make space in the bedroom, or just clear the chaos in the living room, remember this: organized spaces help families breathe easier.
If you need expert organizing help, don't hesitate to reach out. Visit pinkyjackson.com to schedule a free assessment. We would love to help you with our Onsite Organizing services if you are in the Louisville, KY area or our Virtual Organizing services if you are more remote or prefer to work online.
Pinky Jackson is an Organizing Expert and Decluttering Specialist. She and her team organize homes & small businesses in Louisville, KY. For more information about Pinky’s pricing & services or to schedule your free assessment, go to pinkyjackson.com
Photo: Aedrian Salazar @aedrian
