How to Declutter Toys: A Simple Guide to a Calm Play Space

Spread the love

Inside: A simple guide to help you declutter toys and maintain a tidy space.

Why toy clutter feels overwhelming

If you spend a lot of time cleaning up toys and tucking them away in play areas or the corner of the living room, you’re not alone. Toys tend to multiply quickly from birthdays, holidays, and surprise gifts from relatives.

While toys are meant to spark creativity, having too many can create stress for both kids and parents—toy clutter results in more mess, higher stress levels, and less time for imaginative play.

Having many toys for kids can cause decision fatigue.

Research shows that toddlers play more deeply, for more extended periods, and more creatively when there are fewer toys.

Take some time today to declutter your child’s toys and create a more peaceful, intentional play area where they can focus, explore, and genuinely enjoy what they have.

In this post, we’ll share simple steps to help you declutter toys, involve your kids in the process, and create a play environment that suits your family.

Simple steps to declutter toys

Step 1: Set your intention to declutter toys

If you’re reading this, we know you’re probably overwhelmed by all the toys around the house. Imagine the relief you’ll feel when you’ve decluttered, with less mess, easier cleaning, and, of course, a calmer play area.

If you have older children, it’s best to talk with them about why donating and sharing toys with those in need is essential. It’s also helpful to involve them in decluttering their toys.

Set limits on how much they can keep, such as only what fits in designated shelves, bins, or spaces.

Step 2: Gather and Sort Everything

Start by gathering all the toys in one place to see how many toys are in the home more clearly.

Sort the toys into categories. For example, put all Play-Doh in one spot, all tea sets in another, and Barbie stuff in a different area. This will make it easier to see what you have, decide what the kid wants to keep, and simplify organizing when you’re done decluttering.

Step 3: Involve Your Kids to Declutter Toys

Let them choose their favorite toys, but set limits on the options available to them. For example, “pick your favorite 4 Barbies”

Then remind them that the remaining Barbies will be donated to someone in need.

Praise their choices and generosity when donating.

Step 4: Declutter Toys with the Keep/Donate/Trash Method

Only keep toys that are loved and used often. I know my toddler has a few favorite toys she plays with regularly, which makes donating or getting rid of the rest easier.

Donate toys that are in good used condition. Donating the toys to someone in need makes it easier to declutter unused or clutter-causing toys in your home.

Trash broken or unsafe toys. It’s best to throw away toys that are no longer usable or are unsafe to use.

Optional: include a “maybe box” for toys you’re unsure about and revisit in a few days. Decide then if you will keep or donate those toys.

Step 5: Organize what’s left

Now comes the fun part! Organizing the toys that are staying in the home.

Store like items together. For example, all the Barbies are in one bin, the Play-Doh is in another, and the tea set is in another. Separating similar items makes it easier for kids to put them back in their proper places after play.

Use clear containers or picture labels to make it easier for young children to store their toys in their designated areas.

Keep play zones simple by organizing toys into categories. Place all books on shelves, pretend play items in one area, and open-ended toys in another. Also, ensure the toys are easily accessible for the kids.

Here are some of my favorite organizing items, such as clear bins, stackable shelves, and toy organizers, that can help you keep the play area tidy and visually appealing.

Costway 31.5″ Fabric Foldable Storage Ottoman Toy Chest with Removable Storage Bin – Soft fabric covering and thick padded seat provide a great sitting experience. Large interior storage space for toys, blankets, or shoes.

Sorbus Medium Storage Clear Containers with Lids 8 Pack – the transparent design allows for effortless viewing of contents, enabling quick access and restocking. Built-in handles make these lightweight plastic totes easy to pull out, retrieve items, and carry around.

Better Homes & Gardens Collapsible Fabric Storage Bins – Very versatile, ideal for storing books, toys, and clothing. Bins feature two cut-out handles that make them easy to carry. It can be used in a playroom or in a closet for toy rotation.

Step 6: Create a Simple Maintenance Habit

Teach children to play with one toy at a time, and when they are finished, they should return the toy to its proper place. Then, they can start playing with another toy.

Make it a habit to establish an evening routine of putting all the toys back where they belong. Doing this will have you wake up to a tidy space, and kids can easily grab a toy the next day.

Practice the one-in, one-out rule with toys. When a new toy comes in, remove an existing one. Sticking to this rule will help you keep your toys minimal and prevent the need for major decluttering in the future.

Another effective way to keep a minimal play area is to rotate toys.

Keep a few toys in the designated play zone and store the rest in a closet.

After a few months, rotate the toys so that the stored ones are now in the play area, making it feel like new toys for the kids to enjoy.

How to handle sentimental toys

Sentimental toys can be tough to declutter because they often hold many great memories or come from a loved one who is no longer with us.

Decide which sentimental toy you want to keep and create a memory box to hold it.

Keep the memory box inside a closet and visit it when you want to add another item.

Once the box is full, remove an item before adding a new one.

When is the best time to declutter toys?

It is essential to declutter toys promptly to prevent a cluttered play area. Once you declutter toys for the first time, you’ll need to maintain them by using the one-in, one-out rule and rotating toys.

I also recommend decluttering toys before a birthday party, Christmas, and the start of every season. Even though you try not to buy many toys for your kids, they still get new ones from others.

How to maintain minimal toys

Instead of buying your kids’ or other people’s gifts, consider giving experiences or consumable items. These could include gift cards, movie tickets, or a sports camp.

Let your family and friends know that you prefer these types of gifts so the kids can have an enjoyable experience.

Benefits of decluttering toys

Leading by example is one of my favorite benefits of decluttering. You demonstrate this by removing items you no longer use or need, while keeping those you enjoy. When it’s time for your loved ones to declutter, they’ll find it easier because they’ve seen you do it first.

You don’t need to buy things to be happy – the excitement from a purchase is short-lived. Happiness doesn’t come from shopping. Instead, it comes from spending time with loved ones and doing activities that don’t involve buying something new. This could be as simple as taking a walk outside, visiting your local library, or spending an evening in the park.

Gladly share with others – when you donate the toys your kids no longer use and enjoy, they will learn the value of sharing. Donating these toys is a better choice than keeping them in a closet or playroom, which can create clutter.

Clutter is a distraction – items or toys that are not in use create a messy space. They distract you from the things and activities that bring you joy.

The joy of spending time together – one thing we can never get back is time. The kids will grow up and move on in life. Instead of buying them a bunch of toys, spend quality time together as a family. Spending time together is more meaningful and less costly.

Final thoughts

These steps to declutter toys are simple and can be done in a few hours. It is essential to maintain a clutter-free play area to create a calm, inviting space for kids.

I challenge you to start decluttering today.

A single session can motivate you to keep going. Before you know it, you’ll spend less time tidying up, have fewer toys cluttering the space, and they can enjoy more creative play.