do you ever want to throw out all there toys?

[RCT]

we have so many....just packed up all those happymeal toys into a bag for one of my sister in laws, so she has stuff down at her camp....a huge bag mind you....now we have more stuff from dd's birthday party....mostly Barbie, which seems to all fit nicely inside her boxes, but we have so many stuffed animals, and cars and puzzles, and argh.....Why can't I get rid of some of this stuff....seems like they need it all.....we have organized and re organized....and I just want to throw it all away......any advice, I know we talk about this once a month....help me.....

[netmechwife]

Maybe try "recycling" them... Here's what I mean:

Seperate toys into two or three boxes and every month or couple of months or maybe every season rotate the boxes. Only keep one box out at a time. If your children are older you might let them decide when to change boxes but make sure they pack up the current box before getting down the new one...

Each time you rotate your boxes the toys are more interesting because they aren't the ones your child is used to playing with...

One exception is toys that are very special to your child ( like maybe your dd's barbies or a special stuffed animal) and art supplies. These items are allowed out all the time.

Hope this helps. And good luck taming the toys... :)

[KarlaB]

I just went thru this while trying to pack them all up and was actually proud of myself that I got rid of a few things. LOL I do try to keep things in various sizes of clear totes with covers - like legos, Rescue Guys, hotwheels, play food, etc. Of course there is always one of something that can't be put in a specific group of toys, so for stuff like that I have two big storage things that serve as toy boxes. Even with all of this it still seems unorganized most days! :tearhair: I expect a huge mess when we move because dks will be so excited to see some of the toys I packed months ago - it'll be like getting new toys....don't know if this is a good or bad thing! LOL! Good luck! :)

Diane - How do you do it with all of the toys for your dcks?

[RCT]

I like the idea of rotating them, can you come over and help me....LOL.....need a day alone in thier rooms, how will I ever do that? HUHM.....I have some big stoage bins, and could do this easily if I can convince dh to take them out of the house for a couple hours...LOL...there is always yard work to occupy them....LOL...

[KarlaB]

Yes, very important that dks aren't around when you do this as there is the potential for them to drive you crazy! :crazyroll :lol: My dks always think anything I am trying to put away is their new found all-time favorite toy and have to play with it all at just that exact moment! LOL! I get everything out and put it in piles around me, so nothing gets accomplished here unless they are sleeping or dh is entertaining them. Good luck! :)

[Jeff]

every waking hour of every single day...

like the ideas I've heard and started doing them a bit. Seems to be working well as far as mess control goes. Too early to tell for the long-term advantages

[angie r]

We organize our toys like KarlaB does. When we have company over I will ususally lock away several of the totes, usually puzzles or things with lots of pieces. That way every tote is not emptied out by kids looking to see what might be at the bottom! I keep art supplies locked up, except for the chalkboards, all the time. (so my walls don't get decorated!)

[RCT]

sometimes being the parent stinks...especially if someone told us to get rid of all of our toys....cuz they were making a mess....LOL:p

[Diane]

Originally posted by KarlaB
Diane - How do you do it with all of the toys for your dcks?

I use a LOT of bins... and also rotate on a monthly basis. I've also got lots and lots of shelves along with closet space. I also have bins that can be stacked and tucked under the counters after they leave... chair's up on top of the table. Our garage is also full of day care toys and while we now have three vehicles... we can only fit one of them in the garage. Dh will be getting his new car soon... along with my youngest dd who is saving up for her's. LOL I told dh that we were lucky that we live on a cul-de-sac but were starting to look like a used car lot. :) :)

Diane... :wave:

[KarlaB]

LOL that toys get priority in your garage...I plan to do the same with dks riding toys as soon as we move. :D

[sugarfrankie]

Everytime my children get new toys, we pack up some to donate to the Bowers Rodgers Resale Store. It is a store where all of the proffits go to a childrens home. This teaches values of giving to others. You will be amazed how willing they are to give knowing where it is going!

[pumpkin994]

Those are some great ideas. What I have done to cut down on the clutter and mess is:
1) we took some to Grandma's, so they have stuff to play with there.

2) I also put some away and will bring out again later.

3) Then I asked my dk's to help pick out toys that they don't play with anymore or very much, those toys we donate to places like the salvation army.....My kids like doing that, my oldest ds says that he feels sad that some kids don't have toys..so it is a good lesson too, teaching them that not everyone is as lucky as they are.


I really like the bin idea!!!it is cool, I have one for lego, but wii now get more for smaller toys.