Organize Your Kids' Rooms in 2 Easy Steps
Time required: Two hours
Walsh's playroom purge is easy—and to prove it, he visits Michelle Holt, 43, vice president of production at OWN, in Los Angeles. Michelle's daughters' "playroom" doubles as her husband Niall McKeown's office—and Niall is forever tripping on Legos and Barbies.
Use the Rule of Five
Before arriving, Walsh asked Michelle to help the girls choose five toys they love, and five they'd be happy to give to a child less fortunate. Michelle reports that the girls want to keep their Barbies but agreed that several games (Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders) can go.
Use Parental Prerogative
Next, Michelle can take the liberty of purging anything the kids rarely play with. "The truth is, they probably won't miss much," says Walsh. The baby dolls Michelle scoops up will be kept in the garage until they can be donated.
Get rid of it for good: L.A.'s Toy Loan Program maintains "lending libraries" of free toys for kids.
A Place for Everything
The toys that survive the purge are grouped into labeled bins (Barbies, Legos, etc.) to restrict volume and help the girls learn to put things away.
Next: Purge your family's shoes in less than an hour
From the
March 2013 issue of
O, The Oprah Magazine
