How to Declutter Kids’ Toys

Is your living room or kid’s room looking like a toy explosion? I can totally relate! It was amazing sometimes how quickly toys could take over a space when our kids were little! If this sounds like your home, it might be the perfect opportunity to declutter your kids’ toys and enjoy a fresh start!

Kids’ toys can become a chaotic mess in no time at all, and let’s face it—most toy storage solutions aren’t exactly aesthetic masterpieces! But don’t worry; I’m here to help you easily declutter and organize kids’ toys in any space in your home.

Here are some quick and easy tips for decluttering toys. Feel free to pick and choose which ones resonate with your family so you can declutter effectively and effortlessly.

How to Easily Declutter Your Kids’ Toys

1. See What They Play With

Take a week to observe which toys your kids actually play with. You might be surprised to find that they gravitate toward just a handful of favorites. This insight will be invaluable when it comes time to declutter!

Trust me, you don’t want to accidentally part with a beloved toy they cherish. (I’ve learned this the hard way!)

2. Warn Kids Beforehand

It’s best not to sneak behind your children’s backs when decluttering their toys—unless they’re just not ready to let go of things. If that’s the case, approach it gently and start with just a few items at a time.

Teach them about what decluttering means and why it’s important. When kids understand the “why” behind the process, they often find it easier to let go.

3. Begin Without Them

For younger kids, it can be helpful to start the decluttering process on your own. Go through the toys and preselect a few that might be ready to move on. Then, involve your children by letting them choose one toy to keep from that pile while you take care of the rest.

This way, you’re teaching them valuable skills for the future!

4. Break it Down into Sections

If you’re staring down a mountain of toys, try breaking it down into manageable sections. Focus on stuffed animals first, then move on to blocks, and finish with puzzles. Take your time—decluttering is a process, and it doesn’t have to happen all at once!

5. Keep Only a Few of Each Category

If your kids are helping out, set limits on how many items from each category they can keep. Trust me; they don’t need 20 stuffed animals! Setting fair limits will help you maintain a cleaner, more organized space.

6. The 3 Bins Rule

When you’re ready to dive in, set out three bins labeled:

• Trash
• Donate
• Keep

As you go through the room, place each toy into one of the bins. This visual separation makes the process easier and helps you resist the urge to pull items back out of the donation pile!

7. Organize Afterward

Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to organize what’s left! Decide what “organized” looks like for you—maybe it’s bins, a toy rotation system, or simply keeping a few toys out each day. Choose whatever makes your heart happy!

8. Rewards

Let’s face it, decluttering isn’t always a blast, so set up some rewards for yourself and your kids! Whether it’s a cozy movie night, a fun outing, or a treat, make it something everyone will enjoy.

9. Donate Right Away

One of the trickiest parts of decluttering is actually parting with the items. If you don’t donate right away, those toys have a sneaky way of finding their way back into your playroom.

As soon as you finish decluttering, take those donation items to a second-hand store. You’ll be grateful you did, and you won’t have any regrets!

Decluttering toys felt like a big task back when my kids were little, but I saw it as a wonderful opportunity to refresh our space and create a more enjoyable environment for my family. I learned that every little step counts, and over time, I developed a system that worked for us. So, as you tackle this journey, remember you can reclaim your home from the toy chaos and enjoy the process along the way!

Are you struggling with kids toys? Do you feel like there are just too many in your house but maybe you’re not sure how to declutter them? Let me know in the comments below!