October is one of those transitional months that really ushers in a new season. While fall officially began in September, in many places it doesn’t start to feel chilly and fall-like until October. October also marks the start of the holiday season with Halloween, which is scheduled for later in the month. To get prepared for the transition from Summer to Fall you need to start thinking about toy storage, both for summer toys that need to be put away and holiday toys that will be added to your family collection over the next several months.
As far as summer toy storage goes I like to separate toys into two categories, outside toys and inside toys. Outdoor toys needs generally carry more dirt and bugs than indoor toys, so I like to clean them off with a hose before the temperature gets too cold, dry them off and then store them in a large plastic tub that has a lid. This helps keep the bugs out and the moisture out. Since outdoor toys are designed for harsher conditions, I don’t feel bad about storing them outside on a carport or in a garage during the winter months.
While you are putting away summer toys, it is a good idea to plan ahead for the new toy storage challenges that you will be facing during the holiday season. Now is a good time to go through your child’s toys and seem what toys they want to keep and which ones they have outgrown or no longer play with. For the toys that your child has outgrown or no longer wants, either put up for sale on an auction website like eBay, pass on to friends and family with young kids or donate to a charity organization.
