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Bridget
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I need to declutter and organize in a big way. We have too much stuff to pick up and we don't use some of the good things we have because we forget we have it.
I can't think well with viusal clutter. (I don't think so great without it either.)
I am considering letting each child pick 3 toys or sets of toys to keep and getting rid of everything else. With 6 children there will be plenty to play with. (This excludes what I use for educational toys, games, puzzles etc.)
Has anyone pared down toys drastically and missed the toys?
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Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
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JSchaaf
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Someone please answer! My dh and I were just having this discussion-we have way too many toys so it's hard to find something to play with.
Jennifer
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lmrook
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Hello! I've finally found a few minutes to get on the web and I thought I'd pop on over to see what was happening.
We have not drastically reduced the toys we own, just occasional weeding out. But what we did do was to put away most of the toys, only allowing a few toys on the shelf in the living room for the youngest two, one or two "sets" of toys out for the girls at one time. The other things stay in storage and then we switch out when they want something else out. Kevin self regulates, but the girls would play with everything they own all at once if we let them. And over the years we've collected way too much "stuff".
I guess we also have a "play house" area, with a play kitchen, table and chairs, play food, doll bed, dolls, small plastic drawers that have the doll clothes. This stays out all the time.
Now, I must say this works for a while, and then stuff starts to creep out. Then we have to get militant about putting some back in storage. I'd like to get rid of stuff, but my kids all have their own favorites. I still have 7 at home, and if each of them saved only 3 favorite sets of stuff, well . . . that's probably what we have! 
Now, we also have all those math manipulatives, puzzles, educational games and books, books and more books. Somehow, this stuff makes as much clutter as the toys. I just remind myself, we live in this house 24 hours a day. The children are not off at school 7 hours a day for me to recoup the house, we live here and it shows! 
So, I'm looking forward to hearing how everyone else controls the clutter. And you'll have to let us know if you are successful with your drastic reduction Bridget!
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Mary G
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Well, we have two things going for us -- 1, a big gap between our two older (14,16) and our younger (6, 5, 2); 2, we've moved four times in the past 4 years.
The gap means the olders help ensure the youngers keep things picked up; the moving means we weed-out fairly frequently.
Another thing that really helps is we have an upstairs hall that's broad and long -- we have hose tipped bin on shelves things and have their toys in there. When they want to play, they bring the whole bin out and then put the whole bin back -- granted, it doesn't always work this way  , but that's the theory anyway.
I've also found my 2 yos doesn't want to play with his toys --he just wants to play with whatever Thomas (6) and Maggie (5) have so we have been able to rid the house of most of that stuff.
Toys with MANY pieces aren't used much -- some puzzles and manipulatives (shh, the kids think these are TOYS!  ) -- only come out under "sort of" supervision.
BTW, Barbies and all the inherent little shoes, and other accessories, have been banned from my house -- went the Barbie route with my now 14 yod and I got tired of picking up those little things! 
We still have a ways to go, but this seems to work for us. Hope this helps,
Blessings
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my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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stefoodie
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Our "major" toys, the ones that we keep and add to/replenish, are Playmobils, Legos, Lincoln logs, a box of cars to be used with Hot Wheels tracks, wooden blocks, and a crate of pretend play stuff. Everything else (electronic toys received as gifts, action figures, toys received as party favors, etc.), when broken or just taking up space, is discarded. If I know it's something loved, I may keep it for a few more months, but if it's lying around just being "clutter" it goes straight to the donate box or the trash. Because of the amount of toys the kids do have, they don't even notice when I've gotten rid of something. I used to ask them about throwing/donating every single thing, but when I do that they usually choose to keep most things. (Two years ago a Bionicle obsession got started when a cousin bought them the whole set of Bionicles, and I've been trying to fight it forever; now I've got a new approach: we're doing lapbooks on them. So far so good, but I'm still trying to find a way to get rid of those.) This is exclusive of anything educational (puzzles et al.), which is kept in a separate area of the house. Also, in their rooms, each category gets its own container, i.e., a big box for Playmobil, a large crate for the blocks, the toy chest for the cars and Hot Wheels tracks. Each child has a "catch-all" box for anything that doesn't go into any of those categories, but the rule is, when that box is overflowing, some things have got to go.
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Bridget
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I've weeded down to 3 toys each before but I didn't get rid of toys, just put them away. They creep out, and stay out because I'm not diligent enough and the playroom is in the basement. I don't go down there every day.
When we have had fewer toys out to play with they all play better and go outside more. They read a lot no matter what so that isn't a problem.
I really think I will take the plunge and get rid of the toys this time. It isn't as if we will never have more. Our birthday season is coming up. Now that I think about that part of it, Good Will here we come.
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Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
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Elizabeth
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We don't have Barbies or Polly Pockets or any other "little tiny thing" toy. Occasionally, they come in as presents, but they "disappear" before the next gift-giving occasion. We do have LEGOS but they stay contained when not in use, as do the Playmobil. My biggest toy regret is that several years ago a well-meaning friend told me that it was really obsessive to keep all the different playmobil kits separated and organized. She advised tossing it all into a big tub. I am SO sorry I did that. The disorganized jumble isn't very inspiring and I've never quite gotten it back to where I want it to be...I'm a pretty ruthless tosser with a soft-spot for enduring toys. I like wooden toys kind of the way I like collectible tableware My children are often treated to Happy Meals by a dear friend. My unspoken "rule" is that I get rid of all the toys from one promotion when the next promotion comes out. No one ever has said a word. I don't think they notice
I try to go through the house after everyone is asleep about once a week with my "Maria MOntessori" hat on. What would MM do with this? What would she think about that? It's not so much about how much, but what kind and how is it stored...environment and atmosphere...
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dhbrug
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We have excess toys stored in the cupboard under the stairs. Locked with a key. If the children want one of the stored toys they have to trade.
And we occasionally go berserk and sweep all loose toys into a large container. If it doesn't move in the next 24 hours, the contents get taken to Thrift stores.
The happy meals junk toys are painful. We examine what is on offer beforehand and confuse the staff by refusing the toys.
Staff: "But they are part of the deal"
Us: "They are junk and unworthy to be called toys"
Staff: "What'll we do with them?"
Us: "There's a trash can there. Best place for them. Or you take them home to be broken and misplaced. We don't mind."
Cheers
David and Lana
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amyable
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We have occasionally been ruthless, and they haven't missed much (I probably regret more than they do). But most of the time I'm like everyone else - we pack it away, and it all creeps out again. And the funny thing is, my kids don't really LIKE toys. If they had to keep only a few things it would be our box of dress ups, their craft stuff, and the huge squares of silky/stretchy fabrics I got on sale at the fabric store last year. They'll play with the other stuff, but I doubt they'd miss it too much.
Hmmm...so what am I waiting for?? 
Whoops, I forgot to say what I do with those happy meal "toys"...we have a small clear shoebox that sits on our fridge, called "the fun box". Little junky toys, small balls, etc go in there, and are weeded out as we get new ones so the box still closes. This box used to come out when I was on the phone to occupy the masses who would appear from nowhere to hound me , now it seems to be more of a treat that they ask for, and I'll give it to them only if the rest of their toys are cleaned up. Then nothing else comes out until the fun box is put away.
Editing to apologize: I just read the forum description for this forum, and with my 3 kids and one on the way I'm probably not qualified to post here. Sorry! 
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jdostalik
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True confession time--I usually drive thru for fast food for lunch once a week with the kids. Oftentimes, we chunk the kiddie meal toy if it's objectionable but when they pass muster, the kids play with them and as soon as they are "forgotten," I throw them in a big plastic toy bin. This bin holds all these junk toys. Every once in a blue moon (on rainy days, days when they are driving me mad because they're "bored," etc..), I'll announce it's time for the "McDonald's toys." They all cheer as I dump out the toy bin (they have to clean up the play room before I will do this as I do not want these toys mixed up with the good stuff.) This never fails to keep them busy for at least 2 hours. I go through this bin each time I bring it down and discard toys that are broken or missing pieces. I have to say that we have some "classics" that are almost 9 years old (oldest dd is almost 10!)...And, as soon as they are done playing, toys get picked up and hidden away!
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Jennifer in TX
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cathhomeschool
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We cull out frequently too. The boys have legos and k'nex, Thomas the Tank wooden track and trains, duplos, play food, and educational toys/games. Like others, we clean out before the next gift-receiving occasion comes.
I'm rarely concerned about missing something or regretting the decision to throw something out, but when I am, I box it up and put it in the attic or garage for a month before donating it. I can pull it back out if I change my mind. Our attic and corners of the garage are out-of-the-way enough that the kids don't find the stuff and therefore can't drag it back in.
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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Mary G
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Another way we de-clutter -- when the noisy, light-overdosed toys from relatives run out of batteries it takes a LONG time before new batteries are inserted. Some of these toys work just as well with no electricity while others break or get boring and given away.
One thing y'all might want to think about -- aside fromdonating the extras to StVdP, etc is to see if you have "freecycle" in your area -- it's a great way to give stuff (or get stuff) and keep it from the landfills -- here's the link (now that I know how to do hyperlinkss  ) to find out more: Freecycle
Blessings,
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MaryG
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MEBarrett
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I get rid of stuff all the time. I am now asking people to think of consumable presents for my children, art supplies, coloring books, craft or science kits, etc. I need to do a stuffed animal toss soon as that basket is overflowing. My mom is a huge pack rat and is trying to de-clutter her house in order to show it. They are retiring and moving south. Her method so far includes brining it all to my house. She recently brought two huge shopping bags of stuffed animals that were MINE! And two gallon size plastic bags filled with hair clips that were mine. I am 38 years old. This is how long this stuff sits in her house.
Of course the kids were thrilled with the animals so I let it go for a few weeks but now it is time to toss. I have no problem getting rid of thirty year old toys. She also buys them stuffed animals on a fairly regular basis. I have threatened her with bodily harm the next time she walks in here with a stuffed animal.
Ok - rant over.
I like to just keep on hand toys that are being used. I don't mind having a few barbies because they have a big doll house that they use barbie dolls with. Last year I had to reduce because we had 43 of them. We are now down to 15 which I think is still too much but some of them were special so I caved. I toss matchbox cars often because we have 10,000 of them and we seem to get them on every occasion. I always keep blocks, legos, paper, writing/drawing implements, clay, play-doh and anything musical. I have a box of fisher price and other type people and the little ones use them alot (they have the garage and the zoo) and we have tons of dress up stuff.
I keep the toys down to one closet with only a few special things in the bedrooms (like two things. There rae books EVERYWHERE!
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Mary Ellen
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JSchaaf
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Quote:
| I try to go through the house after everyone is asleep about once a week with my "Maria MOntessori" hat on. What would MM do with this? What would she think about that? It's not so much about how much, but what kind and how is it stored...environment and atmosphere... |
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Too funny! This was me last night-my dh was laughing at me as I got dressed and left the house at 10:30 with a bag to take to the Goodwill box down the road-these things must be done under the cover of darkness!
Jennifer
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Katie
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When I moved from Alaska last year, we pared down the children's toys to two medium sized cardboard boxes. Basically it was Legos, some Little People stuff, a nice baby doll, one of those Tupperware shape-sorters, a wooden toy mixer and "cookies", some puppets and a small puppet theatre...oh, and one special teddy. Somehow all the Little People got lost, so the house and zoo are lonely and don't get played with. In addition to the above, we have added Bionicles for ds 7, a wooden doll's bed, and a whole heap of beautiful Waldorf style wooden toys made here in Tbilisi (and cheap ); mostly animals but some people such as princes and princesses, storybook characters and farm people. I have also purchased from the same wooden toy shop a hammer toy with those columns that you bash down (what is that called?) and a wooden ring stacking toy for the baby. We do have Leappads - are they toys? Being here it is easier not to acquire so much stuff, although many ex-pats ship tons over, and then buy from Amazon et al liberally. When I have playgroup at my house, I'm a little embarrassed at the dirth of toys for the littles, but it is always fine, and several momthers have commented that their kids are less overwhelmed and play better. I know my children are doing just fine. When I see what some people have for one child (under the age of 2) I cannot possibly imagine living with that many toys multiplied by 4.
I'd say do it!  You could always store some as others have suggested just to see how it goes. Oh, and I love the McDonalds box idea. My mil has a box like this (mostly from the thrift store where a big bag is $1) and the grandkids all make a beeline for it and love it!
I would love to eliminate my house of plastic....but that's a whole 'nother post.
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Mother of 5 in South America. No 6 due in April.
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teachingmyown
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We really don't have that many toys. Our clutter is more in the way of books, papers, videos. And clothes! We are overrun with clothing!
The girls play with their Fisher Price doll house and accesories (too many of those, probably), My Little Ponies and Barbies. Oh, and lots of baby dolls! (They still manage to fight over them  )
My boys don't really play with toys, one is 13 and the other is 7 and spends his life outside or on the computer.
This Christmas I was very careful in selecting gifts. We added on to some of the toys they already had and then bought various building toys, Legos, Kapla, Lincoln Logs. None of these toys are allowed in the bedrooms.
We have no basement or playroom, so it is hard to keep everything contained and out of view. When you walk in my front door, you see the whole house!
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Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
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Elizabeth
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teachingmyown wrote:
We really don't have that many toys. Our clutter is more in the way of books, papers, videos. And clothes! We are overrun with clothing!
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We Are too, Molly! I need to start a clothing thread...
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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BrendaPeter
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Wow! Lots of great ideas here!
Just wanted to add that although Elizabeth regrets dumping the Playmobile stuff together, we did dump the Lego stuff together with much success. Does anybody remember about 6 years ago when McDonalds was giving Lego toys with Happy Meals? Anyway, those got dumped in the box. Just add one of those big grey bases (from Toys R Us) and they can come up with all kinds of creations. My dh brought the kids to Toys R Us today to spend some of their allowance $ and what do you think our boys got? Why Legos, of course!
The other big success story here has been the Fisher Price doll house and accessories. We have twins (boy & girl) who are 6 and between his Playmobile pirate ship and her doll house, they play for hours together. Now if we could only figure out what to do with the 2-year-old! She enjoys nothing more than to play with mommy's shoes and whatever she finds in the kitchen (!!) The other day it was 2 packets of taco seasoning which she proceeded to stick into the toaster oven and then turn it on!
Blessings,
Brenda
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teachingmom
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Elizabeth wrote:
teachingmyown wrote:
We really don't have that many toys. Our clutter is more in the way of books, papers, videos. And clothes! We are overrun with clothing!
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We Are too, Molly! I need to start a clothing thread... |
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That's my problem too, Molly and Elizabeth! My 8yo has trouble putting away her clothes after she and her 10yo sister do their laundry. She has a few dresser drawers and a very large trundle drawer under her bed to store clothes. I couldn't understand why that wasn't enough room for her . . . until I actually sat down with her and helped her try to fit everything in one day. I found out that she actually had over 20 !!! pairs of pants and jeans. Yes, you read that correctly. I have an old friend with only one daughter who is 9. She regularly sends me her daughter's hand-me-downs--all the way from California! They are great clothes in wonderful condition. But when I add them to the clothes my oldest already had and other clothes handed down to us, we end up with an overabundance. This was a great lesson to me. Once the older girls starting doing their own laundry, I had stopped overseeing their wardrobes as I had before. I realized that I need to be more aware of the amount of clothing each of the girls has and be more willing to pass on the hand-me-downs we really don't need to others who need them more.
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~Irene (Mom to 6 girls, ages 7-19)
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Bridget
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I did it! We pared down toys in the playroom to 3 sets for each child. I purged books, the game cupboard and re-organized our school room. Also tossed some movies that have been bothering me. They weren't really bad, just obnoxious enough to turn a couple of my children into lunatics. 
I threw out 4 trash bags and have a big pile waiting to go to Salvation Army. A few good toys are going to my mom's for her stash. I try to be so careful about 'stuff', how did this happen?
Next, the clothes closets!
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Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: How Few Toys Can I Get Away With
