10 TIPS TO DECLUTTER TOYS BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS
Cleaning out the toys and books in the playroom can feel overwhelming for parents. The following tips will help you relax on playroom clutter when you already have so much on your to-do list.
Things to do:
1. When deciding what toys to keep or let go, observe which toys your child plays with the most. Open-ended toys, like blocks or art material, encourage creativity and exploration, while closed-ended ones, such as puzzles might be easier to part with. Montessori principles often favor open-ended toys for fostering creativity. Check out the blog below for more detailed info on these toy types.
2. Take your time. You don't have to go through all the toys in one day. Categorize them first and choose 1 or 2 categories (I would hide the rest. Otherwise, you will have to sort them again:))
Some categories can be blocks, dolls, doll accessories, transportation, figurines, electronics, games (board games, cards), and arts and crafts supplies, to name a few.
3. Engage your children in decluttering their toys. Though it might seem daunting, teaching them early about the value of keeping only what they use sets the foundation for future organization. I recently discovered a book Robbie's Toys by Los Angeles organizers The Go2Girls that focuses on involving kids-a fantastic resource. As my kids, aged four and seven, began understanding concepts like “Donation” and “Keep”, my older one even suggested labeling boxes for better organization.
4. With your child, grab small and large bins-cardboard work well. Use what you have to sort and categorize them. Remember these bins are separate from those used to store items you plan to keep. Set up areas for donation, giveaway and disposal.
5. Cheers! Celebrate your accomplishment! Make sure to promptly remove items you’ve chosen not to keep from the room. Give items to friends or family nearby, placing them in your car for easy drop-off. Donate chosen items within a week and dispose of broken or incomplete items immediately.
Things NOT to do:
1. Do not run to any store to find the perfect bins/baskets/furniture to store the toy pile. If necessary, you can update your organizing products or use what you have, but only after you have purged everything.
2. Do not tell your children that they have to give up their toys. Remember, this process is helping them for the future and allowing them to let things go. Most adults can't do it, and if they could have learned when they were children, it would help them in their adult years. You can talk about it with your kids. Why is it necessary to go through their toys? They are growing; some toys are not interesting anymore, and few were their favorite before, but they barely use them anymore.
3. Do not overbuy! Kids don't necessarily need an excess of toys. Spending quality time together as a family creates lasting memories. Some toys will become favorites they won't want to part with, and that's alright. Consider having a bin for each child to rotate toys, keeping the variety fresh and exciting while minimizing clutter. This way, they can enjoy their favorites and explore new ones, promoting both attachment and exploration!
4. Avoiding the toy sections while grocery shopping or steering clear of toy stores when your kids are young can indeed help minimize potential conflicts around buying toys. Children may tend to request toys when they see them, leading to disagreements. By bypassing these sections until they're older, you can prevent these situations and focus on your shopping without distractions or potential conflicts over toys.
5. Do not get rid of a toy just because you don't like it if that is one of your child's favorites. If you let them have it in the first place, let them keep it as long as they use it.
Avoiding overspending on toys can prevent future clutter and the need for frequent purging. It's a good idea to maintain a balance in toy purchases to ensure a clutter-free and enjoyable play environment for your kids.