Photo: Victoria Art from @Pexels
Toy clutter happens! It's important to remember that just like grownups do, kids also feel overwhelmed by too much stuff.
As kids grow, learn and change, they outgrow older toys and move on to new toys. Toys and games break or lose some of their pieces, while the leftovers stick around as clutter. Birthdays and holidays bring new toys into the home. There might also be the generous grandma who brings new toys every time she visits, just because. Add the hand-me-downs from relatives and friends, and it’s easy to see how busy parents may be experiencing toy clutter overload.
Parents feel frustrated by the amount of toys kids have, the mess it creates, and the time it takes to tidy things up. Sometimes they'll comment that "the kids don't even play with these toys any more."
It's important to remember that just like grownups do, kids also feel overwhelmed by too much stuff. Instead of bringing joy, a huge amount of toys can turn into a source of stress, something we definitely don't want for our kids!
What can help?
Photo: Yaroslav Shuraev from @Pexels
Pare down! Rather than feeling deprived, having fewer toys actually allows kids to more easily focus on and enjoy the toys they have. You may do a toy purge while kids are in bed or at school, but it’s best to involve kids in the process whenever possible. Kids may enjoy choosing which toys they’d like to gift to someone less fortunate.
Strategize. Plan toy purges and donations to occur before birthdays and holidays, when new toys will be entering the home.
Create zones. Have an area for arts & crafts, an area for dress-up, an area for building toys like blocks and legos, a reading area with cushions and stuffed toys.
Involve kids in keeping things tidy. Choose a home (such as a bin or basket) for each kind of toy. Teach kids how to put toys back in their homes after playing with them.
Toy rotation can help keep toys manageable. Create sets of toys (involve kids in the choosing process!). Have one set available to be played with, while you store the other toy sets out of sight. After a while (weekly, monthly, or seasonally) put away the current set and bring out a new toy set.
Rather than feeling deprived, having fewer toys actually allows kids to more easily focus on and enjoy the toys they have.
Sometimes we think of kids as preferring things to be messy. But I’ve seen over and over how kiddos love it when their play area is tidied up. Instead of feeling overwhelmed or bored by clutter and excess, they’re excited to play with their toys. Just like grownups, an organized space has a positive effect on them.
I'm Kammy, a professional organizer serving Chicagoland's hardworking professionals. If you're a busy parent with kiddos, I'm here to help you make your playroom a joyfully organized place where your kids can truly thrive. Reach out to me or text (773) 756-5414 for your free 30-minute consultation. 🌱
"The kids were so excited to see the room, and they played with the toys!"
—my client after her daughters’ playroom was tidied up
Before doing a toy purge…
… and after!