Decluttering Toys In Your Home: A Blueprint
If you’re like the average parent, at least once a day (or 10) we think about kids toys, regardless of the age of the kids. Are they still playing with that? Why does that have so many pieces? Why do they like that thing? Why don’t they play with this? Where in the world are we going to store this? Why did someone give this to my kid? Why is this left out again? Does any of that sound familiar?
Instead of worrying so much about what and our kids may or may not like/play with a toy, we’re going to learn concrete skills to declutter any toys, at any time, while bringing them along for the ride to learn together.
If decluttering toys in your home has felt impossible, overwhelming or just plain confusing, the goal is to take all that away in this blog post. We’ll give you the foundation on how to get started below, and if you want to take it a step further, you can checkout my Parents + Kids Guide To Decluttering!
1. AVOID OVERWHELM BY PICKING A STRATEGY TO MAKE TOY DECLUTTERING FEEL ‘SMALL’.
Instead of getting overwhelmed thinking of ALL the toys in your home + how to declutter them all at one time, make the process feel smaller/more manageable with one of these approaches:
+ Consider a single category to focus on. Games. Building. STEM toys. Stuffed animals. Small toys. Large toys (just a few examples). There’s a lot of ways to slice + dice this but the end goal is to make the process feel ‘small’ + focus your energy on a single group of things rather than everything at once.
+ Pick one toy zone to focus on. A toy drawer or collection. One closet. One shelf. One basket. One bin. One wall of the toy room. Keep hyper focused on assessing one zone, then move on to the next when you can. Declutter toys only in this zone.
+ Set a timer for 10-15 minutes. Pick an area, room or zone to focus on + let the timer guide your process while you declutter. Once the time is up, if you’d like to keep going, feel free to! If you aren’t able to continue, do another short burst of time later when you can.
2. TIPS TO HELP YOU DECLUTTER TOYS QUICKLY.
Now that you’ve decided on an approach to make the process more doable, here’s a strategic list of things to consider/look out for to start pairing down the toys in your home as you’re decluttering.
START WITH TOYS THAT ARE EASY TO PART WITH:
+ Discard broken, beyond repair toys. I would also include cheap, plastic toys in the category from parties (you know exactly what I’m talking about) that break easily /aren’t being actively played with (TOSS). Recycle parts/pieces/packaging whenever possible. Check locally.
+ Donate duplicate toys in good shape (unless both are actively being used). Example: We were recently given a dice game we already had. We donated one of the games.
+ Donate toys that your child active avoids or opening says they don’t like anymore. You can open a conversation about it with your kids by saying: ‘I’ve noticed a few things you aren’t playing with anymore, what are your thoughts about it? Can we donate it + free up more space for other things?’ If something is still up for debate, move the toy/game/etc. in an easy to access location for a period of time you both agree on (1 month for example), then donate if it hasn’t been played with after that time.
GENERAL TIPS FOR ASSESSING ANY TOY IN YOUR HOME:
+ Is the toy actively being used/enjoy frequently? (KEEP)
+ Has your child developmentally outgrown the toy / engage with it less + less? (DONATE, OR save for a younger sibling if you have the space to do so.)
+ Is there a similar toy that your child plays with a lot more? Example: You have 2 similar magnetic tile building sets, only 1 is used when both are out. (DONATE the lesser used one OR try a toy rotation, keeping only 1 out at a time. If one is avoided, it’s now time to DONATE it.)
+ Is it a 90/10 or open ended toy? This means the child has to do 90% of the work for it to be played with, 10% is the toy itself. This toy can be reinvented, redesigned + reused in endless ways. In general, toys with screens, lights, sounds + talks to your kid are not 90/10 toys. Examples of a 90/10 toys include: building blocks, beads, pom poms, a ball, cups/bowls, a marble run kit. (DONATE or limit the number of toys in your home doing all the work for your kids - it will reduce boredom + boost their creativity. Focus on keeping mostly open ended toys in your home.)
+ Are you limited on space in your home / there’s larger toys that your kids don’t enjoy much anymore? Remember that open space to move, create + breathe in are the best things we can offer our kids to foster more play. (DONATE the big, bulky toys that are rarely used eating up valuable space in your home).
See even more tips + strategies inside my Parents + Kids Guide To Decluttering.
3. AFTER YOU’VE PAIRED DOWN YOUR TOYS, MAKE SURE THEY ALL HAVE AN INTENTIONAL HOME.
Maximize the space you have + make ‘play’ more accessible, foster more creativity with your kids, reduce overstimulation + encourage longer, independent play with these strategies:
+ Limit what you have out for your kids to play with, especially 7 + under. Sensory overestimation is at a peak during these ages, so having less out at a time will engage them in more creative play + foster more independence. Children with sensory sensitivities will require additional boundaries per that child. But to recap, no matter the age, less out is always best.
+ Rotate toys around every few weeks if you have the space to do so. If you don’t have space for this, simply rearranging toys in the space you have, swapping bins or displaying things differently one morning can create a similar effect of things feeling new + interesting! You can also consider a toy swap with a fellow mama every few months to refresh your toy stash! I love this idea!
+ Make toys easy to get to / easy to put away. Any toys that need guidance or supervision should be up high/not easily accessible. Model to your kids where things are + where you put them when you’re done playing with them. Model for them how to take care of what they have in their home.
+ Let messes happen. Pick your moments to reset your play spaces + encourage your kids to take charge of this effort. Join in for a bit with some good music on + then let them take over. Remember, the less you own, the less there is to manage + put away!
Now it’s your turn to go try these tips out to help you start getting unstuck with toys in your home, so you can start taking decluttering action in small bursts!! You’ve got this!!
Want more insights on how to talk with your children, tailored to their age, to get them involved with decluttering toys (+ all their things) in your home? You’ll learn all of these tools + more inside my Parents + Kids Guide to Decluttering!
WHAT TO DO NEXT:
+ Download my free declutter guide to get you taking quick + easy decluttering action in your own home (linked in profile).
+ Click the follow button for @fuzzyhipposhop to follow along for more decluttering tips + basics to get you unstuck in your home on instagram!
+ Check out the KIDS STUFF zone for more free resources!
+ A game-changing resource for families: Parents + Kids Guide to Decluttering is a must for any family!!
Sending you + your family lots of fun + less chaos in 2025!!
Please drop any comments + questions below. I’d love to here from you! // Kristin
How To Do A Spring Declutter On Kids Toys
The dust has settled on the new year and we’ve all moved into a new routines. By now you know a bit more about the things that walked in the door at the end of last year. Some are being enjoyed and others are just creating unnecessary clutter and work for you. Since we are right on the cusp of Spring (even if the weather doesn’t quite feel like it where you are) this is the perfect time to reset your home from the toy clutter that’s accumulated since the new year. Here’s 3 steps to help you do a solid decluttering on your kids toys as we move into Spring (or anytime)!
Toys can mean anything your kids are playing and engaging with. Cast the net as wide or as narrow as you’d like to declutter.
1. Observe what they’re playing with.
This includes anything you consider “toys” in your home or fosters play, problem solving and creating. Think sports equipment, outdoor toys, bath toys, books, building sets, random “treasures”, rock collections, crafting supplies, stuffies, games, etc. I bet off the top of your head you’ll be able to identify several things you haven’t see your kids touch in months (if not longer) or have outgrown. In this phase of Spring toy decluttering, we’re merely taking note of what you’re seeing going on in your home to help you in the next step.
Bonus Tips:
To confirm your suspicions about what your kids are or aren’t playing with, ask them about what their favorites are (if age appropriate). Talk to your kids about things you never see them use and discuss whether to keep it or not. Move things around to draw more attention to items you suspect they enjoy but might have forgotten about because of where they are stored (out of sight). Use this as a benchmark for which items to keep while you’re observing what they’re naturally gravitating towards.
2. Do a thorough edit involving your kids.
You can tackle this in a few different ways. One, by a single category at a time. For example, edit all books, all building toys, all bouncy balls, all board games, dress up items, etc. Individual categories help you focus on one group of things at a time. Two, you can also edit by zone in your home. Toys in the bedroom, the primary play area, the toy chest, etc. Focusing on a certain zone in your home allows you to start and complete one area before moving on to another. However you want to do this is the right way to do it for you. In both of these options, you can break down the process into small chunks, as you can get to it with your schedule. Your kids will also stay more focused for a Spring decluttering on toys in small bursts of time. Correct, no clearing your schedule for a toy edit! Ain’t nobody got time for that!
Bonus Tips:
Involve your kids in whatever what you are able and feel comfortable. Age will steer conversations and the level of involvement. Take this decluttering time with your kids to ask questions, to listen and learn about what they’re enjoying most at this time. It is a time of connection and learning together. Ask what they enjoy most out of a group of book OR which are your favorite books you love reading over and over again? Ask directly “which items do you no longer enjoy?” Involve them in the donation, recycling, and giveaway process. Talk about what is trash versus something you can repair and keep. These are all just jumping off points on how to start. You know your child best and I know you’ll come up with some great ideas on decluttering together that is age appropriate. If you’re child is too young to involve, focus on toys they’ve outgrown, are developmental appropriate, safety and what activities you want encourage. Avoid toys that do all the work for your kids - focus on keeping toys that can be reinvented over and over again into different things depending on how they want to play in that moment.
One thing that has always been important in our home is to make drawing, art and creating accessible. We intentionally keep paper and drawing supplies out on one end of our table at all times and it gets used every single day!
3. Make it easy for play to happen.
After you’ve completed your Spring toy decluttering on any and all of the toys and play/create things, assess what you’ve decided to keep. Take a moment to make sure to set up clear zones for play to happen easily in your home. Not everything has to be out at one time, but items should be easily accessed by the kids as it makes sense for your space. Lesser used items can be tucked away, up high or in a spot adults can help with if it needs more supervision or more time to set up. Keep their favorites easy to access. If you want to encourage more reading or for that untouched bead set to be used, make it easy to see and reach for.
Bonus Tips:
During the Spring season, continue to take note of what they’re enjoying and what they’re outgrowing. Decluttering is an on-going process for all of us and this idea is highlighted the most with kids. They grow and change in the blink of an eye. Taking the time to filter what comes in, care for what is in the home, and being resourceful with what is kept is a must. When they’re asking for new things or to buy something with their piggy bank money, ask helpful questions to guide their decisions making like: where will this item go in the home, do you have anything like this already, how will you use this or play with it, how will you take of it, how much space will it take up and is that worth it to you, etc. While your child will still make the decision, these are questions they should learn to have in the mind before bringing new things into the home. Yes, it gets easier for you and them with practice!
NOTE: Adults need to comb through all these tools in our mind as well to help filter what we bring into the home. We model what we want to teach to our kids and decluttering is a powerful medium to share and learn with our kids over and over again.
A few organizing tips:
Once you’ve identified all your toy “keeps”, use this list as a go by when you’re finding homes for things + getting reorganized:
Try to store things where they will be used a much as possible, or where it would be the most convenient to access them
Make sure the main users (kids) can safely access things you want them to
Keep sometimes toys or items that need adult support away from the main play zones
Organize items by type and by size (building, books, kitchen toys, dress up, etc.)
Big items need a big shelf or bin / Smaller items need smaller containers to store them - when they get mixed is when you dig and lose things!
Not everything needs to be out at one time / consider rotating things around as needed / less out reduces overwhelm (where they choose nothing) and fosters more creativity
If you want to encourage more play with a particular thing, put in an obvious, easy to access space / move things around until you get the results you’re after
The size of your space or zone detemines how much you’ll have out. If something needs to be tucked away or pulled out, make sure it’s in an easy to reach spot so things don’t get forgotten/ignored.
Encourage easy clean up by making it simple and intuitive for your kids to do it on their own - but make sure to teach them what to do, what the expectations are and follow up!
The best “toy” you can offer your kids is open space to play, create, learn and breathe! Aim for less whenever possible.
Want more support decluttering all things kids?
Declutter Guide for Kids
See all Declutter Tools + Guides
Let me know how I can support you in your home.
Drop your comments below. Thanks for being here!
Seasonal Shifts | How To Declutter + Design Your Way Through It
It’s an interesting time right now for most, where cooler weather (unless you’re in Miami per se) has you bustling around with a renewed sense of energy that was previously absent in those high heat months. While it is a time of year that for most of us feels like things are RAMPING UP, I’d encourage you to SLOW DOWN during this “Seasonal Shift” into Fall/Winter, as we dive into December. Look at it as a time to review a few odds + ends around your home to lighten your load as the new year approaches. The new year will thank you!
It’s an interesting time right now for most, where cooler weather (unless you’re in Miami per se) has you bustling around with a renewed sense of energy that was previously absent in those high heat months. While it is a time of year that for most of us feels like things are RAMPING UP, I’d encourage you to SLOW DOWN during this “Seasonal Shift” into Fall/Winter, as we dive into December. Look at it as a time to review a few odds + ends around your home to lighten your load as the new year approaches. The new year will thank you!
