How To Downsize Kid's Toys

     As a parent we each are entitled to our own opinions and ways of raising our kids. I believe that it is my responsibility to insure that my child, who is only 2 years old, is not overwhelmed with an abundance of things in her life. I want to make sure that she can really interact with the toys she has, gain new skills and of course keep the items that I can see have sentimental value to her.

     Kids get so much stuff throughout each year and it really adds up. I keep on top of it in my home, but I can just imagine how stressful it would be if I didn't.

     This is how I downsize toys in our home. Give it a try! It might work for you too.

QUICK TIPS:

• Get your children involved. I feel that this is so important. You wouldn't like it if someone went through all of your stuff and made decisions for you! Plus, they will gain life skills that will hopefully stick with them through adulthood.
• Make this a positive experience. Tell your kids what the goal is and how they can help. This isn't about getting rid of their favorite toys. It's about realizing all that they have and identifying what is truly important to them. Letting go of the old, broken, outgrown, and unloved toys will allow for more space to play, less clean up, and peace of mind. Plus they can do a good deed by giving those toys to someone else who will appreciate them more. Even if that means donating to your local thrift store.
• Be a good example. If your children see that you're working on downsizing your things as well, they won't feel like they are being targeted. Do good for yourself and show them that it's okay to let go. Maybe for everything they let go of, you let go double! Downsizing will set you free!

OKAY, LETS GET STARTED!!

STEP 1:
Gather all of the toys in your home and Put Them In A Pile. I recommend a clear floor space!
     Don't forget to check the car and anywhere else your child's toys may be. This step is so you can really see what all your kids have. This is for the shock effect!!.. and so you can get the task done in one place.

STEP 2:
Designate A Space For Toys and Create Boundries.
     Keep it simple and organized so they can clean up after themselves easily. My daughter has a medium sized basket for all of her toys. We just throw everything into it at the end of the night. However, small toys that have multiple pieces are first put into zippered containers; My unused makeup bags to be exact! Maybe your childs toy space is a plastic bin, a shelving unit, a closet space, or empty dresser drawers. Do what works for you and your children.
     Don't forget to set boundries. Keep no more than what fits in the newly designated home. Anything more will act as clutter if it can't be put away in it's home properly. Isn't this why you want to downsize in the first place!?

STEP 3:
Create a Keep, Donate and Toss Pile. 
     You might as well have the toss pile go straight into a garbage bag to save time as you go. As for the donation pile, I recommend a black bag or a cardboard box. If the inital decision is to donate an item you won't want it visable. Your kids, or even YOU, may try to rescue toys if they are visable. Save yourself from back tracking and go with a ready to donate non-visable option.

STEP 4:
From the pile of toys, Identify Your Child's Favorites!
     If you are having your child be involved, let them remove their favorites and put them in the keep pile! If you're worried that everything will be a favorite, give them a number, such as a Top 3 or 5!

STEP 5:
Consider Letting Go Of Toys That...

1. ...they have outgrown. You'll want your children to play with age appropriate toys. They are constantly growing, developing and learning new skills from the things they interact with. Discard the distractions that they are done with.
2. ...play by themselves. This would be talking toys where your child presses a button and the toy does what it does or says what it says. These toys leave no room for imagination.
3. ...are duplicates. There's really no need to have two of the same thing. Does your child really need 2 of the same stuffed animal!? No! T.V. show characters are a trap in disguise too, be careful! We fell for a T.V. show that sells toys and quickly learned that we had to set boundaries.
4. ...are too specific. This would be toys that have only one purpose. Nothing to learn, no other way to use it, a lack of creativity!
5. ...broken or unsafe. Of course we don't want our children to get hurt. If the broken toy is not fixable, don't donate it, toss it! If the unsafe toy is just not age appropriate for your child yet, store or donate it. If it's unsafe in general for anyone, toss it!
6. ...have missing pieces. Don't keep any incomplete toy sets, puzzles, or things that require assembly if there are missing pieces. There's no point in keeping a toy they can't even play with.
7. ...they don't like. I mean, if they don't like it for whatever reason. Now is the time to let it go.

STEP 6:
Toss The Trash and Remove The Donate Pile From Your Home.
     This part is so crucial. Get it out and get it out quick! If you have a vehicle, put the donate pile in the trunk of your car right away so you can drop it off at your local drop off donation center next time you're out and about. It won't do you any good sitting in your home STILL taking up valuable space!

AND YOUR DONE!!

       Now you should be left with your child's favorite toys and toys that will allow imagination, creativity, and have a sense of purpose. Your child will be happier having more space and less anxiety from being overwhelmed.

     Just remember that what your child really wants is you, they want to be around you! Maybe you wonder why there are toys all over your home.. that's why! Spend time with them, enjoy them, teach them new things, be active and creative. They will have so much fun just being with you! I'd say..that's better than any toy can ever give them!

     Happy Toy Downsizing!

          -Danika & Elli