Another Decluttering Question - Getting Rid of Toys

My son has certain shelves for keeping toys. We keep the smaller stuff sorted into clear bins and the larger items on big shelves. When there is not room for any more then we go through them together and get rid of stuff, as well as toss any broken items. If he has something that he doesn't use anymore but just can't part with it yet, then he can put it in 1 closet we have and then think about it again in 6 months.

We go through toys generally 3 times per year (b-4 birthday, Christmas, and the spring sale at his old preschool).

As for keeping toys for your daughter, I would only keep really gender neutral, good quality, open-ended type of toys. Get rid of anything that is a TV/movie character because that stuff changes so quickly. If she reaches the appropriate age for it and shows no interest get rid of it immediately. Especially if you have too much.

I know a lot of people who keep bins and rotate the toys so there are only a few available each month. I just don't have space where I can make that stuff "disappear" when not in use, but it might work for you.

This is probably going to be no help what-so-ever but I was thinking of asking the same question. I feel sad when I think about getting rid of their toys, especially the infant toys that they touched when they were babies. I just put all the toys that I know they are most likely never going to play with into a plastic container and put them into storage in case we have another one. As time goes by though and I see that my kids can live with out the toys I think I will be OK with donating them with no problem. As long as I don't look at them and bring back memories. So I guess I am trying to trick myself by making them out of sight out of mind.

Donate them to Sunnyside Daycare.

If she hasn't played with it in a few months it goes into a box in the garage. If she doesn't ask for it in another month then it gets donated!

I've read that you should just get rid of things instead of saving them for "that day" in the future. Probably your youngest will want new toys that haven't even come out yet!

I have always saved the "good" stuff like building blocks, LEGOs etc. for younger siblings. Everything else gets donated! I know it's hard, it seems like toys must get together and multiply when you put them in the closet at night!

I totally relate! I'm actually glad that my kids are teens now, so I no longer have to deal with outgrown toys!

When they were younger we'd sort through their toys before Christmas (to make room for the new ones) and on "Spring Cleaning Day". We live in South Africa so there are plenty of needy kids who are thrilled with toys in any condition! (Obviously we threw away the "junk" Mcdonalds collectibles etc and anything which was broken)

My personal feeling is that it's ok to keep something that is good quality IF you have space to keep it. I have a large box of teddy bears from my own childhood which are currently living in my loft! Some things I simply have not yet been able to part with. ;)

It sounds like your problems are two fold, one decluttering the toys in general, and two decluttering with a view towards saving some for your daughter.

Here's a idea. Organize the existing toys in categories, like they would in a toystore (ride on toys, stuffed animals, interractive toys, building toys, puzzles, games, musical toys). Then see where you have multiples, or duplicates. Hold onto only a handfuln (of those that your son is ready to part with) in each category for your daugher (i.e. no more than 5 each). You will have given her a good selection without being overwrought with stuff. Also, it gives her room for her own potential favorites.

Good luck to you and yours,
F. B.