If you’re like me, when Christmas ends, you’re left with a mountain of new toys that your kids haven’t even touched. It’s overwhelming to sort through all of them and decide which ones to keep and which ones to toss. But if there’s anything I’ve learned in life, it’s that change is inevitable. If we want our homes to be tidy in the New Year (or at least not more chaotic than they already are), then we need to embrace the idea of letting go of things — even if it means parting with some treasured items. The good news is that decluttering toys doesn’t have to be a painful process for anyone involved; there are plenty of ways for both kids and parents alike can get rid of unwanted toys without much effort at all! When it comes right down to it, the best way to declutter toys is simply by going through them one at a time and deciding whether they’re still being used or not. The good news is that this can be accomplished fairly quickly if you have some sort of system in place. You can go through your child’s toys one drawer at a time or even just gather all the items together in a pile on the floor. Then start by looking at each toy individually; decide whether it has any special meaning for your child (or for you) before making any decisions about its fate.
Make sure toys are in good working condition
First, make sure to check the condition of your toys. If a toy has missing parts or is no longer in working condition, it cannot be used in your child’s playtime. While you may feel tempted to save a few damaged toys for crafting projects or as decorative items around the house, you should prioritize safety over anything else when deciding whether or not your child will play with something.
- Toys that have been exposed to water can become moldy and develop mildew on their surface (or inside). This can cause health issues for children who are exposed to them frequently. It’s best not to let these types of toys into your home at all if possible—but if this does happen by accident, ensure that you dry out these kinds of items completely before allowing anyone else around them!
- Another type of damage occurs when sunlight gets through any openings or cracks in the toy itself; this can lead over time not only toward fading but also toward weakening its structure over time as well as possibly creating splinters where none existed previously! Avoid exposing any wooden pieces like blocks or puzzles from getting direct sunlight exposure during this process too since they’ll likely warp very quickly under those conditions–so keep bookshelves away from windows 😉
Rotate out toys
- Rotate out toys. When Christmas is over, it’s time to clear out the old and bring in the new. Keep track of what your child has played with or used recently so that you know what to rotate out. If your kids are still open about receiving gifts from Santa Claus, then make sure they don’t see you throw away their favorite toy—maybe you can donate it somewhere instead!
- Rotate out toys with kids who aren’t ready yet. Sometimes we need to let go of certain items before children are ready for them to go away entirely (like favorite stuffed animals). If this is the case with your child and a particular toy is simply too big/small/delicate/awkwardly shaped for him or her right now but still holds lots of sentimental value, consider storing it away until later when he or she will be able to appreciate it again. This way both parties get what they want: You save space while keeping some precious memories alive in an age-appropriate format; Your kid gets their beloved item back eventually without having any insight into why mommy wouldn’t let them play with it at first…she doesn’t have time today anyway because she’s busy packing up everything else!
Keep toys that you want to pass down
- Keep the toys that your child loves. This is a no-brainer, but it’s important to note because of the possibility that you’ll want to keep toys you loved as a kid. You may find yourself feeling nostalgic for those old dolls or action figures and want to pass them down as well, but if your child doesn’t care about them, then there’s no point in holding onto something that will only collect dust and take up space in their toy box.
- Keep toys that are in good working order. We’re all busy people here; if we’re going to be taking time out of our lives to play with our children’s toys, let’s make sure they work! This means checking batteries frequently (or replacing them) so nothing dies mid-game. It also means making sure there aren’t any small parts missing so no one can choke on them while playing with a favorite toy. If these things haven’t been checked recently, now’s the perfect time before putting away all those Christmas presents!
- Keep relevant toys around until they’re replaced by new favorites—at least until your child has lost interest altogether (and this could be years down the road!). There are plenty of classic games and toys worth keeping around even after newer versions come along: puzzles always have value because they teach kids patience while improving fine motor skills; blocks help develop spatial awareness while providing endless hours’ worth of fun building towers; stuffed animals provide comfort when needed most—and can even serve as makeshift pillows when traveling overnight at grandma’s house during holidays!
Swap with other families
- Swap with other families. If you have kids close in age, consider swapping toys with another family that also has kids around the same age. Your child will have fun getting to know their new friend’s toys and vice versa, and it gives you a chance to declutter your own toy box!
- Swap with friends. If you have friends who are like-minded on the topic of clutter, give them a call and see if they’d be interested in swapping some of their unused toys for something new and exciting (and more organized) for your child’s playroom or bedroom closet. You probably already know how many toys are cluttering up their home as well—and maybe even which ones haven’t been touched in months! Offer them some great options from this list so that everyone benefits from these swaps!
- Swap with neighbors who share similar interests or hobbies as yours (or even those who don’t necessarily share your interests but still love having good times together anyway). This is an easy way to trade items when there isn’t enough room left in our homes after Christmas break ends because we’ve already bought all sorts of things that were supposed help us out during these stressful times but instead just made things worse by adding more clutter onto our already overcrowded spaces…
Donate toys to kids in need
The first thing to do with your old toys is to donate them. There are lots of places that will be happy to take them off your hands and put them to good use. Your local children’s hospital, charity organization, homeless shelter and school will all be thankful for donations of any kind.
- Donate toys to kids in need. Toy drives are a simple way for you and other community members to give back by donating gifts for children who may not otherwise have access or means of getting presents this holiday season. Toys can also be given as an incentive during fundraising efforts like lemonade stands or bake sales.
- Donate toys at Christmas time when there are plenty being collected by these organizations but even more so during the rest of the year when they’re hard pressed both financially and logistically (i.e., storage space) on those items that were received earlier in December before Christmas Day hits us full force again next year!
How to organize toys after Christmas
The best way to keep your kids’ toys organized is to invest in storage units that can fit all their toys. If you don’t have the space for a large toy chest or box, consider purchasing a few smaller bins and containers. This will ensure all their toys are together in one place so they don’t get lost or left behind during playtime.
When it comes time to declutter before Christmas, take some photos of the rooms where your children play with their favorite toys. You may be surprised at how much stuff has accumulated over time! Take these photos as reference points when selecting which items are going into storage or if they need to go straight into trash bags for donation or recycling purposes (i.e., broken parts).
How to declutter toys before Christmas
Before Christmas, you can’t go wrong with a few items that are easy to store and bring out when the time is right. This will help you get organized before the holidays hit, which means more time enjoying your family instead of running around in circles trying to find something else.
- Bookshelf: keep books organized with a bookshelf or magazine rack.
- Cardboard boxes: these come in handy for storing toys that don’t have an obvious place (like puzzles and playing cards). They’re also great for keeping fragile items safe until they’re needed again!
How to get rid of toys before Christmas
- Give them to friends, family or charity.
- Sell them on eBay or at a garage sale.
- Give them to a local charity shop.
- Donate them to a children’s hospital.
- Recycle them (check with your council for recycling options).
Conclusion
The holidays are a great time for kids to get new toys. But once Christmas is over and the excitement of opening presents has worn off, kids can quickly lose interest in their gifts. If you have lots of toys but don’t want to buy any more, it may be time to declutter your child’s room so they have only the best toys available. Whether you donate old toys or sell them at garage sales, there are many ways.
