Set Up A Toy-Cleaning Station For Your Kids

My favourite type of activity for little kids is something that keeps them busy and accomplishes another goal. Like when they help sort laundry or “prep” dinner with you. Kids like hands-on activities and they like to be helpful. And this mum scratches both of those itches with this simple toy-washing station:

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WASH BIN ???? Sometimes things don’t have to actually be dirty to be cleaned. ????I mean, sure the pins needed a wash. But what I really mean is that you don’t necessarily have to dip them in dirt to prompt the clean up crew to get started. ????‍????‍????Many times, a simple washing station with soap and water can invite a child to take off with self-guided play on its own. ???? ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Here, I added some @seventhgeneration dish soap into a storage bin. I also added two measuring glasses (plastic) for good measure. I wasn’t exactly sure how this would be played out, and that’s the point. The execution was all him. He went from the pins, to the Cozy Coupe, and ended with his brothers by his side for windows. It’s amazing how such a simple set up can extend. ???? – ???? – ???? ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Here are my water tips: ????????The boys know they are allowed ONE refill. That way, they don’t come in and out a million times asking for more. ???? ????????Another tip is to fill a large storage bin (like this one) with soapy water to the side. Keep this bin out of sight or far enough away. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• That way, when they ask for more, you can direct them to the next station. Just remember to keep this extra stash quiet until it’s asked for. ???? ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• If today for you is like today for us, it’s a great day to get this started on the fly. ✌????

A post shared by Beth | Life with Preschoolers (@dayswithgrey) on

All you need is a plastic tub, a couple of smaller containers, water, dish soap, a sponge or rag, and a surface you don’t mind getting splashed with soapy water. Outside is probably your best bet for this activity but if that isn’t an option, throw some towels down in the mudroom or on the bathroom floor—or use a couple of smaller tubs and put the whole set-up directly into the bathtub.

As dayswithgrey points out, the toys don’t have to be visibly dirty for kids to get into this, but they could probably use a good scrub anyway.


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