Our New Organized Homeschool Preschool Learning Center

We don't have a school or play room in our home.  The kids toys have a place in their bedrooms, but always seem to make their way out, scattered and strewn throughout the living and dining rooms.  I guess I'm more tolerant of this, or just used to it.  But my fiance, who is still getting used to having kids around 24/7, makes it known that it drives him crazy to be stepping over toys.  I've always had difficulty finding the balance between allowing my kids to express their independence and creative freedom with their toys and keeping the house neat and safe.  So I decided, while the little ones were with their dad last weekend, I would do some reorganization. 

 I moved a bookcase that was formerly in Sawyer's room out to the dining room to be our new Learning Center!  Cliff (my fiance) was skeptical that bringing a toy shelf out into the living area was a good solution, but I asked him to just trust me.  And he politely obliged.  

Then we went on the hunt for various trays and containers for the shelf.  We found those beautiful handmade wooden trays and plates (plus more not in the photos) at an estate sale for $0.50 to $1.00 each!  And the laundry baskets were on sale at Joann Fabrics for around $3.00 each.   

 The big produce basket was from that same estate sale for $2.00.  And I got those yellow tin pails from Target's Dollar Spot a week or so ago knowing I'd find some great use for them.

All of the containers are perfect for books, toys, puzzles, and games related to our theme of the week, "I is for Insect."  The kids were so excited to see it when they got home.  They are still allowed to bring some toys out of their room to play, but only as many as will fit in one of those small laundry baskets at a time.  And I have found that they play even more creatively and intently than before with these theme-based choices available and organized.

How do you organize your toys and homeschooling supplies?

Excited to be linking to Thrift Share Monday.