After many frustrating attempts to get my boys to keep the play area clean, I locked everything up in the closet.  I had gone through the toys many, many times throwing out junk and putting other things in the garage sale. No matter how many times I wittled down the amount of toys, there was still too many and the boys still wouldn't keep it clean.  The main problem was N, who would just keep going from one thing to the next.  I finally stuffed everything into the closet, locked the door and made a schedule.  I have four weeks set up, and each day they get one toy/set of toys  to play with.  For instance, Monday - legos, Tuesday - rescue heros, Wednesday - cars, Thursday - lincoln logs, Friday - toy box, Sat - trains, Sun - balls.  I have enough catagories that I don't have to repeat anthing until the third week.  When I put the boys to bed, I put that day's toy away and take out the next day's toys.  If the toys are not cleaned up, then they do not get a new toy.  That has happened quite a few times.  It really motivates them to clean up.  There is no longer huge messes.  Sure, they still scatter the day's toys all over, but it is only ONE type of toy.  When they have to clean up, there is only ONE place to put the toy away.  No more sticking things where they don't belong.  No more not knowing which toys to put away first.  And if N sticks D with all the clean up (like usual), it's only a small amount.  No more, "I did ALL THAT, and he did ONE thing!"  Ahhh... the great feeling of success....