Minimize Kids Toys!

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How do the toys multiply without us ever noticing?

It’s a sneaky gradual process that grabs our attention as we step on a matchbox car or try to quickly tidy the house and realize we need a shovel for the toys.

With the business and abundance in our culture today, we have lost sight of where to draw the line on the number of toys brought into the house. As the toys stack up, we look to bins and shelves to contain the mounting dolls, cars, games, and trinkets, but that is just a band-aid! We need to get to the heart of the toy accumulation situation!

According to the Toy Industry Association, the average American child receives over $6,500.00 in toys over their childhood. That’s a big number, and that is only the average.

Toys are hard to resist.

Ads, packaging, and commercials convince us that many toys are educational or better when purchased in sets such as Legos or collectibles such as action figures.

We have sentimental ties with receiving and playing with toys. Toys are colorful and fun and represent joy and downtime.

Eliminating every toy is not necessary, but tackling the problem requires strategy!

TIPS for a getting started strategy:

Set a goal.

Start with the end in mind. Find the line. If you have a goal, you can begin working towards it.

Select a number of toys to keep out for play. Research shows that kids often play with 4-10 favorite toys. Notice what your kids play with, and consider what a good amount is for your family.

Toy Storage.

How will these toys be stored? On a shelf? In a toy box?

Designating a spot for the toys helps kids put away toys, and they can keep track of all the parts and pieces that belong together when there are fewer to sort and clean.

Puzzles are easier to put away if there are only two puzzles, the same with Barbie clothes, game pieces, and Legos.

Rotate toys.

Keep a designated amount of the “second favorite” group of toys in storage so kids can trade them out once a month or once a season.

What will the limit for these toys be? One box of backup toys or one shelf in the basement?

Call it a toy library. Let kids put a toy back in storage and take another off the shelf.

Manage the in-flow of toys.

As new toys enter, old toys need to move on. Talk with kids about how you will manage the toy inventory in your home.

What will the system be? Before birthdays or holidays, will you thin out the toys with the kids to make room for new toys? A seasonal clean out? What works for your family?

Donating toys for others to love is one option, or letting your kids sell toys at a garage sale or second-hand store are great ways to help kids learn to let go of excess items.

Be a little flexible with that FAVORITE toy. The ONE teddy bear that is missing an eye and his fur is half rubbed off, or the coolest jet airplane that is missing a wheel that goes everywhere with your child. Allow an exception or two here.

Re-think toy gift-giving.

We let the kids have a party in later elementary school where the guests were asked to bring donations for a local homeless shelter instead of gifts.

It was a bit of a tough sell in the beginning, but we reminded the kids that they still got gifts from family, and we would go out to dinner after we dropped off the donations. WOW! They felt so proud and helpful in loading all the items into the car and leaving them at the donation center.

It taught the kids a valuable lesson in citizenship and eliminated adding at least 15 incoming toys per kid, and we had four kids. That’s 60 Toys in one year that the kids did not miss!

Some families are starting to send invites for parties and requesting no gifts be brought. Here are a few ways to add this to a birthday invite:

Your presence is present enough.
Memories are the best gifts you can give us! More pictures, no presents.
I won’t give your kid a goodie bag if you don’t give my kid a gift.
Use a picture of a gift with a red circle, no sign over it in the corner of the invite.
Draw a picture of us together, which will be a gift for me!
(Insert kids name) has selected (charity name) to receive donations in lieu of birthday presents. Then add requested items or a link to donate.
Bring an item from your recycling rather than a gift so we can make a …(rocket ship, racecar, barbie house, monster, or invention together at the party! Or request everyone bring a specific item to make a craft during the party.

Non-toy gift options:

Activity tickets! (zoo, recreation centers, amusement or water parks, museums)
Take a local tour! (historical sites, professional sporting or theater venues, business, food factory tours)
Movie passes!
Local sporting events, concerts, and theater productions (professional, local college, or high school)
Participate in a fun run.
Attend a community event. (pumpkin patch, parade, farmers markets, movie under the stars)
Pay for a class fee! (swim lessons, painting class, piano lessons)
Purchase an App for school or for fun!
Open a savings account or purchase bonds or stocks. Consider starting a college fund.

Getting the toys decluttered will cut down on the mess and the nagging. It will give your children more space to play, create, and think.

What will your goals and plans be for the toys and kids in your house?

Resources:

Too Many Toys by David Shannon

Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room

Be the Boss of Your Stuff: The Kids’ Guide to Decluttering and Creating Your Own Space by Allie Casazza

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12 Tips to Help Parents Keep Kids Safe at the Pool

Book Graffiti for Parents: 5 Ways to Hack Parenting Books and Get the Advice You Need

Midnight Parenting Tips

Tips for Talking with Kids When Bad Things Happen in the News