“I went with ‘let’s make room for new toys, so why not give some of your toys to schools/charities for kids who need them?’ Once they hit secondary school it happened naturally. Don’t rush them though, as you don’t want them to regret their decision later - if you’re worried, keep the toy hidden away for a while in case they ask for it. If your child has lots of one item, such as dolls or toy cars, let them decide which ones they want to continue playing with. They can also help choose where to put the toys they are keeping. If you’re worried, try and make it fun - maybe play shops as you do it. While you may worry about upsetting your child, it can make them feel good about giving their toys to someone else. ![]() You could start doing this from around the age of three when you can explain that the toys they no longer play with can be given to someone else, whether this is passing them on to another sibling or a friend or giving them to charity. This is a great opportunity to teach your child how to organise and recycle. We have swapped toys three times so far.” drunkenflamingo2 The toys come in drawstring reusable fabric bags. You don't have to deal with any packaging either which I love. We were able to borrow toys that we just wouldn't have been able to afford, like the Wobbel Board which he loved but was bored of after three months. We have been able to play with toys and then send them back when he's bored of them. We started when he was one and it's been really good. The ever-changing selection can also help to provide children with a more varied but focused playtime. You can regularly swap toys when they’re not being enjoyed or fully played with, which means you never have unwanted toys taking up valuable storage space. Rent a toy (or two)Ī great way to see what your child likes without cluttering up your house is a toy rental service. It’s a good idea to do a declutter at least twice a year - this could be before birthdays and Christmas. Then, either store the toys away for any younger siblings, donate to a charity or recycle any dirty or broken toys. That should give you a good idea of which toys your child enjoys playing with and which ones are just taking up precious storage space. This can be hard if parents struggle to get rid of anything that has sentimental value, but try to get rid of baby and toddler toys when your child is around three.īefore you declutter, spend a couple of weeks monitoring what they play with and then hide unwanted toys away for a bit to see if your child misses them. The simple answer here is: when they get too old for a toy or stop playing with it. By opting for quality over quantity and only spending your money on toys your child will play with again and again, you’ll save money in the long-term too. With fewer toys, they may also feel more appreciative and take better care of the ones they have.Įnvironmentally, it’s better too - fewer toys means less landfill waste. ![]() It’s thought that children will play longer with one toy whereas having too much choice can be overwhelming and distracting, potentially causing them to lose interest. A study from the University of Toledo in Ohio found that having fewer toys can lead young children to focus and engage in more creative, imaginative play. However, there are benefits to having fewer toys - for parents, a clearer home means less mess and toys to pick up, which can reduce stress and increase focus. ![]() But with doting grandparents, aunties, uncles and friends also buying gifts, you can soon end up with a house full of toys. We all want the best for our children so it can be very easy to get caught up in the latest fad toys and gadgets. Why should you declutter your children’s toys? If you feel it’s time to organise and reduce your toy clutter, we’ve put together a handy guide to help you get started. That’s because children’s interests change over time, so a toy they loved 12 months ago will now likely be at the back of the toy cupboard along with all the other former best dolls, toy cars and teddy bears.ĭecluttering your child’s toy collection has lots of benefits – apart from just a clearer carpet - for you, your children, your finances and the environment. Ever looked around your house and wondered when it became one big children’s playroom? No matter how minimalist or tidy your home was before you had kids, without a decluttering strategy and some serious toy storage, their toys will quickly take over - and the worst part is they probably don’t even play with half of them!
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