I have toys for different reasons, (well mainly in truth to either keep my kids happy and busy or to interact with them), but I use them in these 2 ways in different places. Upstairs in my kids bedroom I have more delicate books and toys that are more for learning and not stimulating in their rooms. If they get up in the middle of the night the last thing I want is some light up interactive toys to really wake my 18 month old up. In the family room, in baskets I keep fun toys and books that my son is allowed access too (un breakable and not a choke hazard). I have them in baskets that he can easily reach, play with and put back all by himself, these are toys and books that he doesn’t need my help with. Take all of those toys and divide them in three. 1/3 will go downstairs in those kid reachable baskets.
What did I do with the other 2/3s or the excess toys? Well of course you can donate them but before you do try this trick. I have these toys in bags for going out.
I have a bag for church with small books and toys - quiet ones also a few snacks, stuff that doesn’t crumble or melt on your fingers like fruit snacks or granola bars.
The next bag I have is the doctors, in this bag I have funnier toys even some that make noise ( these are for in the room to distract before, during and after scary moments and shots, Stickers and suckers are also great for these things, I also use my prize toys for this (big boy or girl) moments at the doctor. (more on prizes later).
Great things to add to any of these bags are: Velcro boards with Velcro animals, magnet letters and a small cookie sheet, Any small play sets that don't have chokeable pieces and that have their own carrying case.
Then I have a bag for the car with fun things that can be done sitting down with none of my attention required and again no small pieces, these toys are things like stuffed animals, books, electronic pianos and light up toys. I also have empty milk bottle for nap time at the mall (any burger king sells milk and most have a microwave), and heartier snacks like dried fruit pieces, yogurt etc. This isn't for every day this is for when we are out and need a real snack also back up wipes and diapers. This is not to replace your diaper bag however I keep food and diapers in there for when I am out later then planned we are out of snacks and diapers and I can always go to the car. Often my wipes in the car bag go dry but anyplace with a sink can fix that. The biggest bag is for long trips to include everything in car bag plus longer sitting toys like stitch your own animal, mad libs and of course dvds and cds.
These bags are for the places described only and the kids never get to get out these toys unless we are at the doctor or church etc. This keeps these specific toys new and exciting, special. If you bring the same toys from the family room on a trip the kids will quickly become board with a toy they see all the time.
What to do with the last 1/3? These are for switching out with the toys in the family room. Every 3 to 6 months I switch group 1 with group 2 to keep all the toys rotated, played with and exciting. It feels like Christmas every 6 months even if your children are older and remember the toys you may hear" hey cool, I remember that", and it has the same effect.
And wait what was that prize toy business about? Well I always look for stuff that I know I shouldn’t get because my son or daughter has enough but its 75% off or what not. I now give you permission to buy it. What you may ask? Well if you are way over loaded with toys you can switch this idea out for candy or give away some of the non appropriate age toys. These small toys are my prize toys to be given out for good behavior like on a point system or instant reward, for a first time going potty or whatever. If you have prizes on hand at all times you can give instant rewards, these are as effective mentally to your child as an instant reprimand. It is important. I use smaller toys for this and bigger ones for point system. More on this subject in later posts to come. Hope this helps with all the toy clutter.
