Between the holidays and birthday parties, toys can accumulate in your home pretty quickly, which is why it’s important to stay on top of toy decluttering and organization. If your kiddos’ toy baskets feel like they’re overflowing, it may be time to do some decluttering.
Wondering where to start? Follow these simple steps on how to declutter toys and keep it that way.
Meet the Expert
Carrie Ypma is an expert organizer and founder of Clutter Keeper organizing website.
Why You Should Declutter Toys
A messy, cluttered space can create an overwhelming and over-stimulating environment for adults and children alike. Too many toys make it more difficult to maintain an organized space, which is why decluttering excess items regularly is important.
“A little decluttering can go a long way in enriching our kids’ playtime and making our homes more peaceful and enjoyable,” says expert organizer Carrie Ypma.
She recommends including your kids in the decluttering process to help them practice making decisions, organizing their belongings, and learning the importance of giving and sharing with others.
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Observe Toy Usage
Before you start throwing toys in the recycle or donation bin, pay attention to how your children use their current toys. Are there certain toys that are used every day and others that are forgotten in the back of the closet? If toys aren’t used, is it because they’re broken or need new batteries?
After a week or so of observing, you’ll have a good idea of which toys your kids can’t bear to part with and which ones won’t be missed.
Round Up All Toys
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Next, gather all the toys in your home into one large pile to go through them. This will help you keep tabs on how many toys your family has. It may be a bigger pile than you were expecting, but this will ensure items aren’t forgotten.
Sort Toys by Category
Sort toys into categories by usage and purpose. This will help you visualize how many toys you have of each category and if it seems excessive or not. Here are a few examples of categories:
- Stuffed animals and dolls
- Crafting toys (crayons, stickers, art supplies, etc.)
- Building toys (blocks, LEGOs, etc.)
- Games (board games, video games, etc.)
- Baby toys (rattles, sensory toys, etc.)
Declutter by Category
Now that the toys are sorted, go through each category and determine which toys you’ll get rid of and which ones you’ll keep. Try involving your kids as much as you can in this process to teach them about letting go and remind them that their toys may bring joy to other children in a new home.
It can also help to set a limit for each category to give yourself some boundaries. For example, only 10 dolls or stuffed animals or one bin of building blocks.
Once you’ve determined which ones you’ll keep in each category, go through the “get rid of” piles and determine which toys should be donated, sold, recycled, or thrown away. If you’re wondering where to donate your gently used toys, Ypma recommends local shelters, preschools, and church charities, in addition to Goodwill or Salvation Army.
“Just make sure you’re only giving away toys in good condition—nobody wants a one-armed teddy bear,” Ypma says.
Keep a Failsafe Box
If there are some toys that you’re unsure your kids will miss, pack them away and hold onto them for 1 to 2 months. If your kids don’t ask about the toys, they’re probably safe to give away.
Reorganize and Store
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It’s time to reorganize the remaining toys you and your kiddos have decided to keep. Keep toys sorted by category and then place the toys from each category into a dedicated space, such as a basket, box, or low-reaching shelf.
“Clear bins are a lifesaver,” Ypma says. “They let you and your kids see exactly what’s inside.”
Ypma also recommends creating zones within your child’s bedroom or playroom, such as a reading nook or art corner, to encourage using different spaces for different types of play.
How to Keep Toys Organized
Decluttering is no walk in the park, but here comes the tough part: maintaining your new toy organization system. Keep your toy storage tidy and under control with these tips:
- Build an organization system based on your lifestyle: Observe how your children play with certain toys and organize them by the toy’s usage. For example, keeping arts and crafts stored in kitchen drawers or having baskets for toys in the living room and your child’s bedroom.
- Change your buying habits: Limit yourself to only one or two new toys for birthdays and holidays. Learn to embrace experience gifts and encourage your friends and family to follow suit.
- Donate a toy for every new purchase: To maintain a reasonable number of items, implement a one-in, one-out policy. For every new toy purchased or received, give away one of your child’s older toys.
