Is making gigantic messes just part of the age?

[RainCityMama]

My 3-year-old is VERY creative but man can he destroy the house

He loves to play games he calls: Junky Van or Ferry Boat or Attic in which he takes every toy and book he owns and piles it up in one area of the house, then of course when it's time to put everything away he's "Way too tired" or " Just a little baby" and can't do it or at least he needs you to help/do most of it for him :

My husband and I have drasticlly reduced the number of toys he has (in a rotation style) at any given time but he still manages to find stuff, be it clothes, shoes hats and coats

Does anyone else experience this with their little person?
Am I expecting too much for him to clean up after himself? (not looking perfection in his cleaning either just back on the bookshelf or in the toy box.
Any ideas of how to reduce the 'MESS' without stomping on his creativity? :

[khrisday]

I think that reducing and rotating toys is a good start. I also think that at that age, you have to expect that he will need help- but he also must be responsible to help as well. What I do with my kids, if they refuse, I just don't acknowledge it, say "We need to clean up the toys now" and take them physically, but gently, to do it. Another suggestion that I woudl throw out there is to have a pile of "stuff" that he can use for this type of play- a basket of cloths, cardboard bricks, scarves, rocks,etc. I would limit this type of play to this specific basket of things, so that the rest of the toys stay neat.

[zzmommy]

Hey raincitymomma, My 3 yo ds is the same way. He makes up games with names also called "toy compartment" and "ants" where he takes every toy he can find and dumps it in a pile, or builds an anthill with everything. We've put away most of his toys like legos and bristleblocks with lots of pieces and he has to ask for them, ( he doesn't miss them) but he does still find other things to dump. I figured its some developmental thing and I love how intent and excited he gets while doing it, that is, making the mess, because he doesn't seem to play with the stuff - the game seems to be the dumping mostly. It sure is annoying when he empties out his drawers or the baby's changing table, but when I start shreiking he always has a great story he's imagining he's using the stuff for, so I try to tell myself that it is creative and I'll have plenty of time for a clean house when he's grown up. I've kind of given up on expecting him to clean it all up for my own sanity, I clean it up as soon as he's done playing it and have him help me. I'll ask him to get 5 things, then I get 5, then him, and he's getting more cooperative about cleaning up because it's not so overwhelming. Good luck!

[oncewerewise]

Well, I have a different approach. If the mess is in the playroom (my 4 year old likes to build forts and obstacle courses out of everything and anything!), then I mention to her that she might want to clean it up to have room to play with her other toys. If *I* want it clean, then I clean it. I ask her to put away 4 things (cause she's 4!), but if she says she's too tired or doesn't feel like it, then I let it slide. I hope I'm instilling a sense of responsibility and independence. Because some nights, I don't feel like doing the dishes. And, I don't. Not very often, but sometimes a friend will be over and offer to do my dishes. I appreciate it but don't expect or anticipate it. I know that if I want it clean, I have to clean it, eventually. However, if we are having company and/or I've just cleaned and dd wants to play in the living room/kitchen area, then I clearly explain that she is allowed one toy (can be a puzzle or other multiple-piece toy) but she MUST put it away before getting anything else out or she will be limited to play in her playroom. Also, I ask her to do things like put her dishes in the sink after dinner, set the table, etc, but I respect her right to say no.

Peace.