How To Declutter Kids’ Toys Like A Pro

How To Declutter Kids Toys In 7 Simple Steps

Are your drawers and cabinets overflowing with kids’ toys? Fed up with stumbling over your kids’ toys on the floor? This is a sign for you to declutter your kids’ toys! Keep reading to learn how to declutter kids’ toys like a pro.

Hi, mommies! Do you find it difficult to declutter your kids’ toys?

Maybe you feel guilty because you’ve spent your hard-earned money on these toys, and you hate the thought of wasting money. p

Perhaps you feel bad for taking toys away from your children. Or, you want to hold on to them for sentimental reasons.

But, having a home full of toys might actually be more detrimental than good for your children.

According to Parenting.com, experts say that too many toys can have a negative effect on kids. They may find an overload of toys overwhelming and distracting, making it hard for them to focus.

Furthermore, excessive toys can make kids aged 6 and older lose their sense of responsibility towards their possessions.

On the other hand, cutting down on the number of toys at home has many benefits. For one, decluttering helps to decrease stress and improve focus for both children and parents.

Besides that, decluttering leaves a positive impact on your finances and the environment.

Having fewer kids’ toys mean you’ll save money in the long run because you will likely stop making impulse purchases. Plus, you’ll save so much time cleaning up and organizing your kids’ toys!

More importantly, having fewer toys teaches children to be more creative. They will also learn to appreciate what they have and, therefore, take better care of them.

Ready to declutter your kids’ toys? Keep reading to learn how to declutter your kids’ toys in 7 easy steps!

How To Declutter Kids’ Toys

Do you want to declutter your kids’ toys but don’t know how or where to start? These 7 steps will guide you through the process from start to finish.

1. Observe your kids during playtime

Before you declutter your kids’ toys, pay attention to the toys your kids love playing with.

The last thing you want is an unhappy child wondering where his or her favorite toy has gone!

Observe your kids during playtime for a week. Here are five key things to look out for:

Which toys do they play with most frequently?
Which toys do they spend the most time playing with?
Are there any toys that are barely touched or ignored?
Are there any broken or non-functioning toys? (e.g. broken pieces, missing batteries, etc.)
Which toys are no longer appropriate for their age groups?

Take notes of everything you notice because this will help you to make easier decisions when you begin decluttering.

2. Prepare the necessary supplies

Like every decluttering project, this step keeps things moving quickly.

Prepare a few storage bins or boxes to separate the toys during the decluttering session. You’ll need at least 3 boxes (toss, keep, and donate) and a marker to label each box accordingly.

3. Gather all of your kids’ toys

If you’ve never decluttered your kids’ toys before, doing this may feel overwhelming. After all, toys have a sneaky way of accumulating in a home!

Gather all of your kids’ toys in one area in your home. This allows you and your kids to see how many toys they own at a glance.

Additionally, dumping all of the toys in one spot helps to reunite missing pieces from toy sets. If something isn’t in the pile, chances are you’re not going to find them forever.

4. Toss broken toys

Before you go any further, it’s time to say goodbye to broken toys. Don’t feel guilty for tossing broken toys – they can be dangerous for children.

My suggestion: do this when your kids are not around so you can remove anything unsafe for them without any protests.

5. Sort toys into categories

Next, sort toys into categories. If you don’t have time to declutter everything in a day, you can work on one category at a time.

Here are 11 common categories you may find in your home:

Baby toys: baby gyms, walkers, activity mats, sensory toys, rattles, bath toys, etc.
Stuffed toys/animals
Dolls: Barbies, baby dolls, accessories like strollers, push prams, dollhouses, etc.
Imaginative play: kitchens, doctor’s sets, tools sets, role play, costumes, puppets, teepee, tents, etc.
Building toys: LEGOs, magnet tiles, blocks, etc.
Figurines and small toys: action figures, cars, trains, trucks, etc.
Outdoor toys: bikes, trikes, scooters, trampoline, slides, climbs, sand and water play, etc.
Sports equipment: balls, rackets, floats, etc.
Musical toys
Board games, card games, puzzles, etc.
Arts and crafts: painting sets, jewelry-making sets, coloring books, etc.

6. Separate their favorites

Remember the notes you took while observing your children? Now’s the time to separate your kids’ favorite toys from each category.

If your child truly loves a toy and spends a long time playing with it, keep it. You can always declutter it next time after your child has outgrown it.

7. Declutter one category at a time

Set a goal

It’s important to know what you want to achieve after each decluttering session.

In this case, think about how many toys you want to keep and how many toys you want to get rid of.

If you can’t decide on the number of toys, use the storage space you have available as a guide.

For example, you may use bins to organize toys. Therefore, it’s a good idea to set a limit and keep toys that fit the bins.

That way you know it’s time to declutter when your kids’ toys start to overflow from their designated storage space.

Declutter toys that are no longer used, duplicates, etc.

Start by decluttering toys that are easy to get rid of. Think of items you won’t feel guilty about decluttering.

For example, duplicates, toys with missing pieces, and toys that are no longer used by your children.

This quick win will make you feel good about decluttering and motivate you to keep going.

Encourage kids to declutter

Some of you may want to get your kids involved when decluttering toys. This is a good time to encourage kids to declutter.

Let them know to pick their favorites because everything else will be given away to children in need. This practice will teach them about compassion, kindness, and generosity.

Make sure to donate or sell the toys you want to declutter immediately. Otherwise, your kids may change their minds!

Keep toys that stimulate children’s growth

Not all toys are made equal. According to New York magazine, toys that encourage creativity teach children to experiment and problem solve at a young age.

Before you declutter a toy, ask yourself if it stimulates creative and imaginative play. The best toys to keep are open-ended toys, which can be played in many different ways.

How To Organize Kids’ Toys

Decluttered your kids’ toys? Great, let’s organize them now!

Use bins

Bins are a great way to organize big and small toys. Put toys in the same category together and use labels to identify them.

I highly recommend the Ikea Trofast storage combination with boxes to organize your kids’ toys. Not only is it affordable, but it’s modular, fits a ton of toys, and looks great in any home.

Rotate your kids’ toys

Do you know that too many toys can make your kids feel overwhelmed and frustrated?

Instead of displaying everything, try rotating your kids’ toys. When kids are given fewer toy choices, they are forced to be creative and use their imaginations. Moreover, this habit keeps things fresh for them.

Dedicate a specific area for toys

Set up a dedicated area for your kids to play. It could be in a playroom, living room, or bedroom. This helps to contain their toys in one area only, making it easier to keep them organized.

How To Keep Kids’ Toys Decluttered

Resist impulse purchases

Let’s be honest. How many times have you bought a toy for your kid just because it looks cute or fun?

Think thoroughly before you buy something. Ask yourself these questions before you decide.

Does your child already own something similar?
Is it a multipurpose or open-ended toy?
Is this a toy all of your kids will enjoy playing with?

Implement the “One In, One Out” policy

If your child wants a new toy, let them know they will have to give up one or two toys at home. The “One In, One Out” policy is great because it prevents clutter and it helps kids to make tough decisions at a young age.

Request for ‘experience’ gifts

It’s common to receive an influx of toys during your child’s birthday or Christmas.

Plan and let your family and friends know to give your children experiences instead. For example, tickets to the zoo, sporting games, concerts, etc. You can also ask them to donate to your kids’ college funds too!

Decline hand-me-downs politely

It might be tempting to accept hand-me-downs from family and friends, but doing this will only accumulate clutter. Decline any hand-me-downs politely and offer if they need a hand to declutter instead.

Declutter regularly with your kids

As your kids grow older, it’s normal for them to outgrow their favorites. Make decluttering a regular practice with your kids so you can make room for new things they love.

Encourage the kids to declutter with you by turning it into a fun activity. Reward them with something fun like a movie or game night after a productive decluttering session.

This will not only bring the family closer but regular decluttering will teach children to be contented with less.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many toys should a child have?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question.

It depends on what you and your children are comfortable with. Some families are bigger, hence they may need more toys.

Ultimately, it’s about holding on to the toys that have value to you and your children. This means keeping toys that stimulate growth and toys your children still enjoy playing with.

Give unwanted toys a second life by donating them to children who will appreciate them more.

2. What should I do with kids’ toys we no longer want?

Donate your kids’ toys to children in need. Find a local children’s shelter, hospital, charity, school, or church. Just make sure the toys are in good condition.

Alternatively, you can sell them to local thrift stores or online marketplaces like Facebook, Craigslist, and eBay. If you have other items to clear, consider organizing a yard sale.

3. Should I get my kids to help?

It’s entirely up to you! There are pros and cons to getting your kids involved when decluttering their toys.

If your kids are helping, decluttering may take twice as long and there might be a tantrum or two. But, it’s a great activity for older kids and they will learn so much from decluttering. I say go for it!

Conclusion

Remember, the point of decluttering your kids’ toys is not to remove all of their toys.

Rather, decluttering kids’ toys encourages kids to be creative with fewer toys. Decluttering also helps to save money in the long run and keeps the home organized.

I hope this post has taught you a thing or two about how to declutter your kids’ toys.

All the best with your decluttering journey! Don’t forget to share your experience in the comments below.

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