How to Teach My Child to Pack and Unpack Toys: An OT’s Approach
- Michaela Brunner
- Sep 20
- 2 min read
Many parents struggle to get their child to pack away toys without a battle. The good news? Packing and unpacking toys isn’t just about tidiness — it’s a skill. As Occupational Therapists, we break this skill down into manageable steps so children can learn it confidently and consistently.
Why it matters
Packing away toys teaches:
Organisation and categorisation skills.
Respect for belongings and shared spaces.
Sequencing — understanding the order of steps in a task.
Responsibility and independence.
At Mindful Beings Occupational Therapy, we often use this everyday activity to build wider skills that help children in school and at home.
OT strategies for teaching tidy-up skills
Start with modelling Show your child exactly what to do, step by step. Narrate your actions: “I’m putting the cars in the red box. Now I’m stacking the books on the shelf.”
Make it visual Use labels and pictures on storage boxes. In our clinic, we often create toy storage maps so children know where each item belongs.
Break it into steps Instead of “Clean up!”, give one instruction at a time: “Let’s put all the Lego in the box first.”
Turn it into a game Add a timer and see if they can beat their record. Some children love a “race against the clock”; others prefer music as a signal.
Use consistent routines Link tidy-up time to a clear cue, like before dinner or before starting a new activity. Routine helps make the process automatic.
Praise and reinforce Acknowledge effort: “I can see you put all the puzzle pieces back — great job keeping them together!”
How OT sessions help
In our Gold Coast clinic, we practise toy packing as part of play-based therapy. This helps children learn:
Fine motor skills for grasping and sorting.
Planning skills to decide the order of packing.
Social skills when tidying with others. If home routines need adjusting, our mobile service can help you set up toy organisation systems that work for your family.
The key is consistency and positive reinforcement. With the right approach, packing away toys becomes second nature — and even a fun, shared activity.
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