Toy Rotation

The holidays are over, and likely you have a lot of extra toys in your home about now. “Toy clutter” is a problem many will face in 2020.

From the toddler years when blocks, push toys, and board books seem to be scattered down the hallway to the school-age years where kids collect tiny Legos, matchbox cars, and Barbie dolls, clutter remains an ongoing issue. A toy rotation may be one way to fight this problem.

 Step 1: Gather

In the main play area, gather all the toys to the center of the room. You are making a bigger mess at first, but this will help you get organized in the long run. “It may be best to start this process when the kids are in bed or out of the house.” says mom Kara Thomas. The process may go quicker and smoother sans children. However, if that isn’t an option, get the kids involved and have them help bring toys to the center of the room.

Step 2: Reduce

Go through the pile you have gathered and throw away broken toys and items that have missing pieces. Take out any toys that are no longer age-appropriate. Lastly, pick out toys that the children don’t play with. Jill Miller, mom of two, says “We purge things every year for the annual neighborhood garage sale. It also gives us a little cash boost.” If your family is not up for the work that goes into selling items, consider donating them to a local charity or passing them along to a friend.

Step 3: Sort

Once you have reduced the number of toys, you should be left with age-appropriate toys that your children enjoy. Now divide toys into three categories: thinking toys (puzzles, board games, shape sorters), pretend play (play food, dolls, blocks), and toys that encourage gross motor play (balls, push toys, cars). When you have the items sorted, there should be three piles, one for each category.  

Step 4: Divide

Divide toys into three to four groups. Each group should have equal amounts of toys from the categories of thinking toys, pretend play and gross motor toys. Place each group of toys into a large box and label it. Plastic tubs work well and can double as a toy box.

Step 5: Store

Once the toys are sorted and separated into three to four boxes, keep one out and put the remaining boxes in storage. Make sure you have easy access to the stored boxes so you can rotate them frequently.

Step 6: Rotate

Decide how long to keep a box out for play. Some families switch weekly, while some switch every two to three weeks, and some may switch every month or longer. Choose a time that works for your family. When each box is out, take note of what toys are most popular and which items get ignored. As you are packing up the box, remove the items that didn’t get played with and donate or sell them.

By implementing a toy rotation system, you will be able to cut down on toy clutter in your living space because three-fourths of the toys will be in storage at any given time. In addition to a tidier home, there will also be less mess for kids to clean up and a better chance for all toys to be utilized.

Sarah Lyons is a mother of six children and knows a lot about toy clutter. She writes from her home in suburban Kansas City.

Reduce Toy Clutter

1. Participate in garage sales or consignment sales “We sell toys they are done playing with,” says mom of five Deanna Brown.
2. Pass them along to a friend or a family in need.
3. Donate to a local charity.
4. Give them to the church nursery or a preschool. Many times an area church or preschool may be in need of used toys in good condition for their classrooms.
5. Take them to grandma’s house. The kids will have something to play with when they visit.
6. Try the KonMari method using the book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. “I’m using the KonMari method on the toys and asking ‘Does this bring my kids joy or me joy?’ If not then I’m getting rid of it,” says Kassie, mom of three.
7. Throw out the “junk.” Get rid of cheap toys from fast food kid’s meals and carnivals. These toys rarely offer many hours of playtime and often break easily.