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Simplifying toys
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We are in the process of packing to move. And though I frequently weed out my sons’ toys (4 1/2 and 22 months), I still think we just have too many. Just wondering…what are your “must have” toys? We have trucks/trains/cars in every size and shape. We have legos, blocks, dress-up stuff, balls, board games, playdough, wikki stix, art supplies. How do you deal with getting rid of things that were gifts and may be “missed” by the giver? I think if we had less stuff, they’d enjoy it more and be more creative with it.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
We did a great toy giveaway a few months ago. Of course, some things have creeped back in due to amazing grandparents.
Even though our kids are young (mine are 6 & 3), it’s best to involve them. What we did was get a big bin (laundry basket) and I told them to put their absolute favorite toys, including stuffed animals into the bin. They had to share this bin. This is what we kept, other than a wooden doll house and some puzzle mom chose. We gave away and/or sold everything else. We turned the overrun playroom (my girls share a bedroom) into a school/playroom with an art desk looking out the window on to the creek and two student desks for copywork and math.
They have had to be more creative, which is what I wanted. Overall I am really glad we did it. It is amazing how quickly things start to accumulate again even if you aren’t the one buying them.
Good Luck!
My philosophy is if it keeps them constructively busy for long periods of time, it’s worth the space it takes to keep it. Legos, small tractors and implements, Lincoln logs, blocks, and the like here. I’m sure it’s somewhat different for different kids. Generally one piece toys don’t do the trick. I don’t hang on to them long. My kids don’t willingly let go of things well, so I would do the sorting alone personally, knowing pretty well what the truly favorites are, and just noe pitch the others immediately so if something is really missed and dearly loved it can be retrieved. But most of what I weed out is never missed or thought of again.
We have 5 kids, the more kids you have the less toys you need. 🙂 They have playmates and imaginations instead. With that said, we organize toys into small – medium size tubs by type, then only get out 2 tubs per bedroom (1 girls room, 1 boys room). The rest are put away in the attic/basement, or into a latched closet. They keep those tubs out for a week. Then we change tubs a week later. The toys become new again, and you swiftly see which tubs they never want to get out. Then phase those tubs out the door to Goodwill!
I agree with what others have said. I go through the toys alone, and they never miss what I got rid of. We do keep the imaginative ones-legos, blocks, cars, baby dolls for the girls.
The “giver missing them” has been an issue here too. But for future sanity, I have asked gift givers not to give toys any more-ever. We love books, puzzles or educational type games, but NO toys!
I’ve always loved the idea of packing some toys away and getting them out alternately, but I’ve never done it. Once it was packed up, we probably would get rid of it anyway.
We’ve been in the process of simplifying our toys too. I got rid of two garbage sacks full a few weeks ago, and I still don’t feel like I got rid of enough! Our two children share a room, and we live in a small apartment as it is. So we don’t have tons and tons of space. I have found that the less they have, the more they enjoy what they have. I really like Cindie’s idea about getting rid of/giving away/selling everything that doesn’t fit into one large basket. That would really open up some space on their shelves for more books if they had less toys!
I also haven’t really involved the children in sifting through their toys. I try to do it when they’re outside playing or if dh can take them out for an ice cream or something. They’re pretty young, and when I have tried to get their involvement, I’m met with tears. I know they’ll understand more as they mature, but we’re just not there quite yet.
My motto for the last year has been: Simplify, Simplify, Simplify!
And it’s working!
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