Urban Suburban Mommy

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Where can I put all of those toys????

Posted on by Posted in Domestic Goodness .

see below for storage product info

It’s amazing that, for such small people, kids need so much stuff.

Actually, *need* may not be the right word. When they were babies, sure, they needed all kinds of gear and specialty items like soothers and sippy cups and head thermometers and mesh teether bags. But now that they’re out of diapers and are full fledged walking-talking-playing miniature human beings, the toys just seem to get out of control!

I remember clearing out the baby gear and thinking I had it all under control. I was selling and donating and passing on the best of my stuff. I’d researched the ba-jeezers out of everything I bought for my babes, and it was all such good quality that it all had tons of life after my two little boys were done.

I wanted to reclaim my home and storage spaces. I wanted order. I wanted a place for everything and everything in its place. I wanted to use all that I’d learned from every organizing reality show I’d ever watched.

I had bins and I was never going to let the toys get out of control.

And then, boys.

This is my shame:

I don’t know how it happened. One minute I was all over those bins and racks and bookshelves. The next thing I know, they’ve figured out how to empty each and every one of those bins and racks and bookshelves, dragging in the crib mattress so that they can launch themselves off of the bed in what I can only imagine is an attempt and finding and destroying my very last shred of sanity!

I’m happy to say that my house is back under control. Temporarily. It goes off and on the rails quite fluidly, but I’m happy to say I’ve discovered three things that make getting back onto the rails much easier and more efficient:

  1. PURGE

  2. TAME

  3. STORAGE

1. Purge

I don’t know what I was saving things for, but there is no point in hanging onto toys they’ve outgrown. There’s also no point in saving broken pieces, toys with missing parts or things they never play with. Add to that, the crap that slipped through – think Happy Meal toys and loot bag trinkets – and you’ve got at least half a toy chest gone!

My kids love everything at the toys tore. Any toy. They’ve got stuffies, LEGOS, trains, action figures, board games, educational toys, dress-up costumes and sports equipment. They’re always begging for another new toy and they’re always bringing home something.

I remove the unwanted and unusable from circulation. Not quite the “One in, One out” mantra that my organizing shows emphasize, but it’s not a bad system.

2. Tame

The boys had everything mashed together. They had pieces of LEGO mixed with pieces of puzzles and pieces of week-old lunch.

That isn’t helpful for anyone.

The other organizing show mantra is to play with only one thing at a time. Put back your toy before you take down another.

Bwahahahaha. Yah, right.

That doesn’t work unless you have time to police your kids constantly. I don’t have that kind of time. But I did start telling my kids that their toys would need to go back at the end of the day, and that they needed to go back in the right spots. There is an area for board games, an area for stuffies and an area for toys with a million pieces that hurt like the devil himself is setting fire to your foot when you step on them (I’m looking right at you, LEGO).

3. Storage

Purge and tame all you want, but if you don’t have the right storage, you got nuthin’.

Storage doesn’t have to mean expensive closet organizers or wall-to-wall built-ins – unless you want it to. There are a lot of flexible storage solutions for every budget, and lots that can be added into a room with flexibility. Whether you want to focus on style, function – or, gasp! both – you have lots of options.

I use a wire shelf for board games. It’s easy to see the games and easy to take them out. It tucks neatly between the armoire and the wall. I love how board games are in boxes and are easily stored! If only everything in life came in an easy-to-manage rectangular container.

I love the open storage bins. They have such amazing compartments. Each can be for a specific genre of toy. You can colour code them to each child’s ownership or just stick to toy types. You can label them. My hubs loves his Brother P Touch labeler.

I’m honestly shocked there’s no label on the cat.

If you just need utility, go to the hardware store and get a few storage totes. The see-through ones are the best, you can quickly see the contents and find that special something you’re looking for. They’re not super stylish, but they’re functional, stackable, have lids and do the job. Get a tablecloth to cover them or stack them in the closet if you don’t want to leave them out. I organized our garage with these, too.

Baskets, hampers and caddies are also cute ways to hide and store stuff in plain sight. You can find really adorable baskets in any theme. These are perfect for stuffies and also for large and awkward shaped toys. You can use one for costumes too.  They’re also great for things like sticks and rackets and wands.

If you need help, give in and call a professional organizer to come in and sort it all out. Honestly, most people say it’s the best money they ever spent. We just went for it. We were so afraid of taking away things the kids love – but honestly? They don’t have an emotional attachment to most of their toys.

You get rid of something they don’t play with and they *may* notice it at some point, but not likely. And even if they do, they don’t dwell on it. Just don’t get rid of any current favourites – and we all know the stuff they’re truly attached to and know better than to toss those special things. If in doubt, keep a box and set a date for permanently tossing stuff. That’s another of my organizing show tips. Put it in the box and put a date and time to donate. Give it a month or two. If they haven’t noticed it missing within that time then you’re in the clear and they really didn’t need that item cluttering your home.

Need more suggestions? I have quite a few of these pieces – and a few other pieces I’m currently drooling over, but I’m good for now.

Kidkraft Espresso Sort It and Store It Bin Unit Walmart

Level Up 2-Bin Stackable Charcoal Toy Box Land of Nod

Mouse Storage Caddy Chapters Indigo

Cameron 2 Market Bin Cubby & 2 Drawer Base Set Pottery Barn

Bright Pink Sort ‘n Store Toy Chest Toys ‘R’ Us

60L Storage Tote with Latching Lid in White Home Depot

Pehr Designs Pom Pom Hamper Lusso Baby

TROFAST Storage combination IKEA

 

Unpacking unboxing: A YouTube phenomenon

Posted on by Posted in Mommy Approved .

My kids are obsessed with YouTube Kids. That’s nothing new. Personally, I’m happy to buy a few extra minutes to eat food while it’s hot, do some laundry or answer a quick email. I’m vigilant about what they watch, and often watch videos with them (just because the app has “Kids” after it doesn’t mean it’s entirely kid-friendly, especially when your boys are collectively younger than a grade-schooler.)

Their latest obsession isn’t episodes of Paw Patrol or mini movies featuring the Minions. It’s videos of adults unpacking toys and playing with them. After conducting some research, I discovered that this phenomenon – referred to as “unboxing” – isn’t new. And if my kids are totally into it, then chances are yours are too.

https://youtu.be/Nflx3iRifEE

Borrowed from the adult version of unpacking new tech items such as iPhones or computers, “unboxing” videos feature adult voices, usually female and unnaturally enthusiastic, guiding viewers through components of unpackaged toys. Sometimes there’s just music, but my kids favour a fully guided tour. Often, the toys are arranged with time-lapse (stop motion) into a fully developed, if poorly scripted, plotline.

Theories abound as to why unboxing has become so wildly popular (The Google search term “unboxing” has increased 871% since 2010*) I’m not a psychologist and won’t overwhelm you with theories of the mind philosophy or cognitive development. I’m here to tell you that unboxing is weird, but it won’t mess up your kid.

It will all be ok, even if you don’t see any obvious value in it.

There’s a pejorative view of technology and its impact on childhood development, but I’m betting it doesn’t come from the 80% of parents who give their device to their children between the ages of 0-2**. The scape and scope of play is changing, but that doesn’t mean it’s all passive entertainment turning tiny, developing minds into mush. For me, there’s little difference between watching these videos with my kids (while they interpret and explain what’s happening) and reading them their favourite book 500 times.

Unboxing is exploratory and feeds into their innate desire to know what stuff is, how it works and what’s hidden inside. They’re no less inclined to explore their world just because there’s someone on YouTube doing it for them. For proof I offer my son Nate who, just yesterday, was very busy using my sunglasses to crack open a walnut to see what was inside.

At the end of the day, is there really any difference between watching a video of someone creating a play-based narrative and watching commercials specifically inserted between Saturday morning cartoons to hawk directed play? When I was a kid, we had Strawberry Shortcake, Barbie, Care Bears, and a whole host of other playtime friends. The implicit promise was the more characters and/or accessories you purchased, the more vivid your playtime experience would be.

My kids know the difference between “playing” and “watching”, and there’s no indication from either of them they’re going to give up playing with their own toys any time soon. Watching a video of a woman playing with a Peppa Pig “Mashem” isn’t going to hinder their ability to learn, create and play.

*cnn.com

** StreamCon, NYC, November 2015.

Our favorite toys when we were growing up

Posted on by Posted in Mommy Approved .

Toys today can be pretty complex – and expensive.  If you were a product of the 70’s, you know that we had some very cool toys and collectables growing up. Let’s see if you remember or owned some of our faves:

Betty Crocker Easy-Bake Oven

easybake-ad06lf1

Although I never owned an Easy-Bake Oven, I always wanted one! I still dream of making cupcakes by mixing a package together and cooking it with a lightbulb. A childhood friend of mine had one growing up, and I was quite envious of all of her skill and baked goods. Can you tell that I am still bitter?  A 41st birthday coming up, hint hint. This Easy-Bake Oven has been repackaged and upgraded and is available today for our offspring.

Big Wheel

bigwheel1

Damn did I love my Big Wheel with the awesome ribbons dangling from the handles. I felt bad to the bone driving this thing!

Cabbage Patch Kids

cabbage-patch-dolls

I remember my mom stood in line for hours so that I, too, could be the adoptive parent to a Cabbage Patch doll. I had one that looked much like the one on the far right with the brown hair.  Her name was Christine Georgie (I still remember) according to her adoption papers. Apparently, if you still own a Cabbage Patch doll which is still sealed in a the box, you can make some good coin. Collectors will pay top dollar!

Lite Brite

lite-brite

Here is another toy I never owned, but always wanted. This is still such a cool toy.

Hungry Hungry Hippos

Hungry_Hungry_Hippos

What an absolutely neurotic and chaos-causing game – I loved it! I remember hanging out upstairs in my grandmother’s house playing Hungry Hungry Hippos with my cousin and brother. This classic game has also been repackaged and is available for kids today.  Too fun!

Now, besides searching online on ebay or other odd sites, where else can you find some Vintage toys?  I’ve been thinking about getting a couple of those great vintage toys I’ve always wanted – for the kids, of course. Vintage shows are fun and I’ve decided to go to the Toronto Toy Show this coming Sunday (Feb 28, 2016 from 10AM – 4PM at the Toronto Plaza Hotel, 1677 Wilson Avenue). There are a few toys I want to check out, just for nostalgia’s sake, but I will be on the hunt for my Easy-Bake Oven.

Happy birthday to me!

 

 

 

 

 

This holiday’s hottest gifts

Posted on by Posted in Mommy Approved .

You never know if you’re going to get the greatest gifts ahead of time or race around on December 24th trying to finish your list. My husband likes to try to predict the year’s hottest gifts and get me to buy them early. They’re usually things his inner 12-year-old boy is pining for, and, thank goodness, he’s usually right.

Don’t get stuck hitting Craigslist and paying 25 times what that toy is worth because you’ve left it too late. And if you are shopping for those nieces, nephews and family friends that are outside your comfort zone, here are a few gift ideas – both traditional and unusual – to get you to the check-out just a little bit faster.

Collectible cards:

If you know that they’re into it, you can’t go wrong with trading card games and their accessories, like cases and carriers. Pokeman, Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic Cards are all fairly safe options. These all come in various editions and packs, so you can get anything from a $5 stocking stuffer to a $50 or $100 set.

Sports cards are a great option for the little athletes on your list. If you know which sport they love, you can start up their collection. The gift you get them could end up being worth big money a few years down the road. You can either pick a trading card company like Topps or O Pee Chee, or you can go to a collectible card shop and purchase a specific card with value that you know is sure to increase. This lets you spend exactly the dollar value you had in mind because they vary so widely in price, from a up-n-coming star to a sports icon. Go for a Michael Jordan or a Gretzky rookie card if you’re looking for a big gift.

Pocket toys:

This year Shopkins are looking like one of the hottest gifts out there. Those cute little ordinary retail items come to cartoonish life, and they mean the world in the schoolyard. Individual characters are great stocking stuffers and only run a couple of dollars – or make it the big gift with a set or pack for $20-$30.

Star Wars:

Anything Star Wars. With The Force Awakens hitting theatres the week before Christmas, and pre-sales proving that this long-awaited sequel has fans with an appetite for all of Disney’s merchandise to collect and enjoy, you can pretty much pick anything and you’re sure to please. From Light Saber tooth brushes that glow, to 4-foot Darth Vaders and $300 Millennium Falcons, there’s something for every price range. Some of the most desirable items are from the newly issued Black Series. Kylo Ren and Captain Phasma were sold out in mere hours, but keep your eyes out for shelves to be stocked, those are hot tickets.

LEGO:

There are incredibly complicated sets, mini sets, sets with licences characters and sets that come without instructions for your little Master Builder. You can buy little lego figures, specialty pieces, vintage sets, and pretty much any child will know what to do right out of the box. As an add-on, get slippers for the parents. Those horrible little blocks kill when you step on them – like no other pain I know. But my kids and my niece get lost in LEGO. Yes, niece. Don’t skip the girls on your list. The great thing is, sets run from a couple of dollars to a couple hundred, making it easy to stay on budget.

A garden:

It’s not all about the toys. Give a kid the gift of gardening and growing. AeroGardens are big fun because they produce food that can be consumed. Kids really love being part of that – and that’s a hugely important lesson. We’re a society that’s become very disconnected from our food, this one’s a gift that gives such a great lesson. They start at around $60. If not an AeroGarden, consider a pot with seeds for growing plants and flowers. You can even give a starter kit so that they can start seeds in the late winter and have seedlings that can be ready to plant in the garden come spring! Planting sets can be quite inexpensive. And then, there’s always Chia Pets!

Experiences:

There are a lot of things you can give a kid, but giving them your time really is the coolest gift. For a niece, nephew or child of a friend, that gift of time can be a double-header – you take the littles and those parents get some always welcome free time! You know how much your kids would love that favourite adult in their life to spend time with them. Take your lucky little one to the zoo, a museum, a movie, a waterpark, a sporting event or to a play.

Toy testers – boy approved!

Posted on by Posted in Mommy Approved .
toy testers

I’m not your typical big box store shopper. I live downtown, I like to fancy myself the urbanite who shops local and can walk to the store within a few blocks for all of my needs. We have some pretty amazing local stores, including toy stores. But I’m also not anti-big box stores. Cheap stuff, en masse, has its appeal too. I have a car and I know how to use it when the need arises.

So my middle-of-the-road approach to life and commerce heard about Walmart Toy Testing this past summer. “A morning spent playing with new toys?” I said to myself, “What a great idea!”

We registered, and my boys were among the lucky 600 families chosen!

toy testing

Now I don’t know if it appeals, but keep your eye out early July, that’s when Walmart puts out the call. In fact, Urban Suburban Mommy will bring you the announcement. I promise.

Meanwhile, my boys spent 2 hours playing with drones, NERF guns, LEGO, Monster High Dolls, blow-up toys, robot cats, art supplies, action figures, educational games and a few things that I would NEVER EVER EVER allow in my house.

boys flying drones

I think that Walmart did it right. They really let the kids go to town. They had an app and wifi so that parents could easily rate and rank their kids’ experiences, likes, dislikes and opinions about pricing. Walmart has just released their Top 20 toys for the holidays, and I think they did a great job. These are kid-tested and kid-approved – by my kids!

I wouldn’t necessarily buy everything on Walmart’s Top 20 list, but I’m not offended.  I never know what to buy other people’s children, but having seen them at play, I’d put some stock into picking off of the Top 20 list.

Unless you’ve got any better ideas? I’d love to hear your suggestions for this year’s hottest holiday gifts for kids – care to share?