Toys with Lots of Parts ARRRHHHHH!!!

Donate all toys w/ lots of parts. Save your sanity,
best, k

Going throught the same thing at our house! I have had some success with putting all of the pieces of particular sets in individual clear plastic boxes, or giant zip lock bags - and I tell my daughter that she can't get another thing out until she has finished playing with & putting away the thing that has a million pieces that she is playing with first! Good luck!

I choose several things to leave at the in-laws house.... once I started that, they started limiting the toys with loud noises and many pieces :) As for the multitude of toys we already have at our house (I have 3 boys: 6,4, &2) I had to start making them only get one toy at a time out. My 2 year old is on a tossing whim right now. Everything in the duplo blocks bag gets strews everywhere! Makes me crazy, but he's learning now that it takes more time to pick it all up than is worth the fun of flinging it all over. It just takes time for them to learn. And if they do lose the pieces, that part of life. Make them throw the toy in the garbage and if they cry about it, tell them they didn't take care of their toy enough to keep it all together so now its trashed. They will begin to learn the value of their toys. And you will be able to see which toys they really play with. If it makes you crazy waiting for them to learn, weed out the stuff they do play with, hide the other stuff and don't bring it out til summer.
Best of luck to you!
Jen M.
Mom of 3 boys ages 6, 4, and 2

What works for some may not for others. We have a bin strictly for legos, a bin strictly for tracks, a bin for train accessories and everything must go where they belong. Take the time to show them where everything goes and explain that if these parts don't go in their little homes, the game will be over or not as fun next time because parts will disappear. After a while kids get the idea. Another idea in the future is give a list of suggested presents you think would be best for the kids or that the kids want (mom approved). Give before birthdays, Christmas or any other special event. Some sites have an option for making a wish list you can share with the family ahead of time. Another option is to not bring out all the little pieces out at the same time. We have tons of play dough colors but my son has access to only a few colors at a time. You can do the same with the amount of track and legos and doll house accessories. Do them in batches and as pieces disappear, you have extras to supplement. Good luck.
P.S. Bins with lids help and labeling the bins with a picture of what goes inside. Open bins or bags entice them to spill it out.

How old are your kids?

Oh T.-

I feel your pain! You don't mention how old your kids are, but even NON readers can help if you cut some pictures FROM the boxes of the toy/pieces on the inside of your clear totes...and write the name on outside. Maybe this will help with picking up help from the kids...and promotes reading readiness?

When my kids were young...years ago...seems my in laws got a kick out of noisy trucks (usually rescue vehicles) for my kids EVERY x mas...with NO auto shut off...it was either turned ON or OFF...I used to pray for batteries to run out...and a shortage in the universe of that size...lol

Take Care
michele/cat