Ugh, stuffies, the worst. So hard to say goodbye to their sweet faces, impossible to store tidily! I obtained one of those net stuffy bags and hung them from a hook screwed into my kids' bunkbed. Before doing so, I set aside any that were sentimental (favourite teddy, homemade raggedy Ann, etc) then let them each choose two and only two to keep. We had six kids at the time, so still a fair number of non sentimental stuffies. The rest we cleaned and donated.

Separating toys into basic categories with a bin for each (we do cars, animals and people, tinker toys, Lincoln logs, Lego, books, and barbies) makes finding the desired toy easier so there is less dumping, maybe.

Staying tidy is a chore for any family with young kids so my best advice is to find a system that works for you, stick to it religiously, don't care too much about how your playroom looks to others, and get your kids involved. I have been shocked by the things I thought were so cool that they had no desire to keep. If they don't want it, unless it is sentimental because it is a unique gift from a treasured person, just let it go.

Oh, another thing I do is have a little basket for game pieces that I come across. That way as I'm rushing I can drop them in there, to be sorted at a quieter time.