How can I get my 3-year-old son to pick up his toys?

Question

This is an ongoing battle - he doesn't want to pick up anything after he throws it all over the room.

Answer 1

Make it a game. Set a timer for 2 minutes and see how many he can get back in the toy box. Maybe even have a contest and put toys away with him at first - see who can put away the most.

If that doesn't work, put the toys out of his reach and allow only one toy out at a time. It's not much fun that way, and he'll learn quickly that he needs to put one away to get another out. If he does well, then let him have 2 toys at a time, then 3, and so on.

Answer 2

Our preschool makes putting things away a ritual part of the day. They do an activity, they put things away before starting something else. Making it fun helps, but I don't think it should be "rewarded" with stickers or anything else. It sets the expectation that your son will only do his share if there is a reward.

I find if I have a ton of toys everywhere, my son won't really play with them and winds up just throwing them around. We got several bins for our son's toys and keep the bulk of them put away in the closet. I rotate a new bin out and this keeps a limited amount of toys out at any one time. He plays with the individual toys much better and it's easier to keep them put away.

Answer 3

As a teacher, I find that using stickers is a good way to get the child to do something. Come up with a goal in mind for him to reach. For example, I have a sticker chart specifically used for the children to walk in the hallway quietly. If they are complimented on how quiet they are they earn a sticker towards Mc Donalds. But if they don't stay with the task I can take away the sticker as fast away just as i gave it to them. Does he have a certain place he loves to go? Does he have a certain toy that he likes to collect? The sticker chart can be big or small. Because I have so much space, I made a "road to the goal" where it looks like a real 2 lane road and then numbered each position with a piece of velcro. I then made a car shape (velcro on the back) to mark the position of where the children are as far as earning Mc Donalds. Hope I helped!

Answer 4

I try to make it fun, and "reward" him with encouragement when he does.

When that doesn't work I take the toy away where he can't play with it anymore for awhile. I know from reading other comments many will disagree that a 3 yr old should have to pick up their own mess or be punished if they don't but at what age do you start to teach them to be responsible then? It only gets harder the longer you wait because they become accustomed to having you do things for them.

My son knows at 3 that every night before he goes to bed he needs to pick up what he played with and he does. If I played with I help him pick it up. To show him now we put this away so we can play with something else.

Don't underestimate the mind of a toddler.

Answer 5

Make it a game. There's a "clean up" song they used to sing on Barney, maybe sing that while he's picking up his toys. Maybe make it a contest. See if he can put the stuffed animals away faster then mommy can put the blocks away.

Also, make sure to praise him for doing a good job. Say things like "Great job picking up the toys! The room is so nice and clean now, thank you!"

Don't make it look like a chore or he won't want to do it :-)

Answer 6

Tell him if you have to pick them up, you will donate them to some child that knows how to take care of his toys... then, do it. After the first time of him not having a favorite toy because it was given away, he should be more wanting to clean up his own mess. Worked for me.

Answer 7

Ok not judging your mom skills, but sounds like to me he has no consequences. When he doesn't do what he is told, take away something a favorite toy, candy...etc...do not give in until all the toys are clean, and if that doesn't work, call Nanny 911 they will straighten him out...i know he is only three but letting it slide now can cause major problems later..

Answer 8

Get a stop watch and either see how quickly he can put his toys away (may be a bit young for this) OR
set a certain time on the watch, and say "I bet you can't out all your toys away before the alarm goes off" Worked a treat with mine.

Answer 9

tell him the subsequent time he throws a toy, that he's grounded from all toys for # minutes. submit a gate and purely you different baby can play with them. Make it longer each and each and every time there is an offense.

Answer 10

I had and still have the same problem with my son. He's almost 5 and I've finally gotten him to just put the toys away when he's done playing with them.. Good luck to you...