Welcome to the 30-Day Organize-athon!
In today’s 5 minutes we’re going to express-declutter the kids’ toys.
Inhale: clarity, freedom, order. We’re gonna need it!
Day 17: Declutter The Kids’ Toys
Note: Decide on the extent to which you need to consult/involve the kids. This will depend on their ages and your family style.
Step 1: Grab a large bag or box. Depending on which option you choose in Step 3, you may need additional boxes/bags.
Step 2: Gather all the kids’ toys into one location. (If this alone takes more than 5 minutes it doesn’t count!)
Choose one of the following options:
Option A
Step 3: Quickly going through the collection, toss into the bag/box any toys that:
- Your kids have outgrown
- Are broken or dangerous
- Have been divested of batteries because they’re so annoying
- Are in poor condition
- Are doubles.
Step 4: Extract any toys that are safe and in good condition for a charity bag. Toss the rest.
Option B
Step 3: Give each child a large bag/box and ask them to fill it up with their favorite toys – the ones they want to keep. Explain that the rest can be given to kids who don’t have so many toys and would really love some more. (This may take more than 5 minutes, but perhaps you can go do something else while the kids ponder their collections?)
Step 4: Of the remaining toys, extract any that are safe and in good condition for a charity bag. Toss the rest.
And you’re done!
Got an Extra 5 Minutes?
Check your own toy collection (um, please keep comments G-rated for this blog 
) for:
- Ancient, out-of-date or falling-apart board games
- Surplus packs of playing cards
- Previous versions of games consoles
- Computer/video games no one plays anymore.
Now won’t everyone have more fun with the good stuff that’s left?
The 30-Day Organize-athon Mantra
Move fast. Don’t overthink. Let it go!
Leave Your Comment Below…
Pease leave your comment below and say you’ve completed today’s task.
See you tomorrow!
[Image by aussiegall]
Forgot to comment on this one but I did get it done.
Did the 5 Minutes. Every minute helps!!
Done!! 3 bags of toys in bags to donate!! Woohoo!!
No children at home anymore but my granddaughter has a corner in the guest room and i cleaned that out and put toys that is to young for her in the yardsale bin.
Finally done! Considered for a long time if I should involve my daughter (5 years old) But ended up not doing it. She has way too many things and toys, but is very attached to it all. She even cried when I threw away things of my own (and a dead flower), saying that she was going to miss it the rest of her life!
I now spent 3 hours sorting, throwing away and re-organizing her room, so my hope is that with everything in new places, it won’t be so obvious that some things are missing….. And some of the toys are in the garage for a couple og weeks – just in case something REALLY seema to be important to her. (not quite following the rules, I know!)
But as I said – now it’s done 🙂
Kids grown up but still found some stuff for the charity shop!
Throwing toys all the time, couldn’t find much. I can hardly wait till they grow a little more and we can get rid of some more. (Then I will want them back again with the kids young, so we are just enjoying. How wonderful).
I have separated out our (adult) games items. Tieded the card games. But my partner is reluctant to through some away. We are in negotiating mode. Who needs 3 chess sets?
Did this while my kids were on Spring Break. Nice to not have to double up today!
I actually did this the night before you posted it! With generous grandparents and messy kids, I do this regularly.
We were outside so got the outside toys sorted through. Who knew you could have so many balls! This is an ongoing struggle with 4 little girls!
Just did this last month in anticipation of the grandkids coming for a long weekend. I really streamlined the books and the toys. =))
I don’t have any children of my own, but do have a few toys for different ages for my great nieces and nephews. They don’t come too often so this challenge was so bad.
Done!
My girls are in their teens so I am delegating this to them. Since they are on Spring break they have extra time. Yeah!!!
I organized the pets toys.
No kids, organized my craft collection instead.
Thank God for nap time so I could get this one done without too much of a fight.
All done.
Done!
I do this a lot, but did some more today!