Inside: Learn how to declutter kids’ toys so that they use their imagination more while reducing clutter in your home.
If you’ve ever stepped on a Lego in the middle of the night or found yourself digging through an avalanche of stuffed animals to locate a favorite one, you know the struggle of managing kids’ toys.
Toys have an uncanny ability to multiply, invade every room, and create chaos. As a parent, it can feel like you’re constantly cleaning up, organizing, and tidying — only to have the clutter reappear moments later.
But the good news is, you can change it by simplifying the stuff in your home. Decluttering kids’ toys is not about getting rid of everything your child loves.
Instead, it’s about making space for the toys that truly bring joy, reducing overwhelm, and creating a play environment that fosters creativity and simplicity.
In this article, we’ll walk through a simple, step-by-step process to help you declutter kids’ toys while maintaining a fun and organized play space.
How to Declutter Kids’ Toys in 6 Simple Steps
Use these tips to learn how to declutter kids’ toys to encourage creativity while clearing clutter from your home.
Step 1: Determine Your Goals
Before jumping into the decluttering process, consider why you want to remove toys from your home. What are you hoping to achieve?
The goal isn’t just to “get rid of stuff” but to create a space that feels peaceful, organized, and inspiring. Maybe you want to create more room for play, reduce decision fatigue around toy selection, or simply reclaim some breathing space in your home.
Having clarity on why you want to declutter will help you reach your goals for your space.
Remember, decluttering is not about perfection. It’s about creating a home that reflects your family’s values — whether that’s simplicity, creativity, or quality time spent together.
Step 2: Involve Your Kids
Decluttering toys is a fantastic opportunity to teach your kids valuable lessons about responsibility, decision-making, and the importance of letting go. Depending on their age, kids can be involved in the decluttering process from start to finish.
For toddlers and young kids: You can make it a fun activity by sorting toys into different piles. For example:
- Toys that they play with regularly
- Toys that they’ve outgrown or just don’t play with
- Toys that are broken or missing pieces
Make it a game! Ask them to show you their favorite toys, and then talk about which ones they might be ready to give away or donate. You might be surprised at how much they’re willing to part with when they feel involved in the process.
For older kids: You can create a “keep, donate, or toss” system. Encourage them to take the lead in sorting their toys and ask them thoughtful questions like:
- “When was the last time you played with this?”
- “Is this item worth the space it’s taking up in your room?”
- “Are you ready to pass this along to another child?”
This approach not only helps reduce clutter but also helps children to take responsibility for their things.
Step 3: Focus on Quality Over Quantity
One of the mistakes many people make when decluttering toys is focusing solely on the volume. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that if you just get rid of enough toys, it will solve the problem.
But it’s important to not only focus on quantity, but quality as well.
As you sort through the toys, ask yourself:
Is this toy still in good condition? Broken or worn-out toys should be discarded. If it’s something that can be fixed, consider repairing it — or letting your child repair it as a learning activity.
Does this toy encourage meaningful play? Toys that encourage creative and imaginative play should stay. Consider donating toys that don’t offer much more than passive entertainment or ones that don’t hold any sentimental value.
Are there too many of the same type of toy? If you have multiple versions of the same toy — like 20 cars or 10 dolls consider downsizing them. Limit duplicates and prioritize the ones that are loved most.
The goal here is to keep toys that are in good condition and that inspire creativity (this post includes our favorite toys). Open-ended toys can be used in a variety of ways and keep kids interested longer.
Step 4: Create Zones for Play
One of the reasons toy clutter can feel overwhelming is because it’s often scattered across various rooms in the house. To regain control, create designated play zones in your home.
This doesn’t mean you need a separate playroom (although if you have the space, that’s great). It simply means designating a specific area (or two) in the living room, bedroom, or another central space where toys can be stored and accessed easily.
Here’s how to create effective toy zones:
Containment is key: Use simple storage solutions like baskets, bins, and drawers to keep toys organized. Transparent bins can help kids see where their toys are, which makes it easier for them to put them away after playtime. Label the bins with pictures or words to help younger children understand where things belong.
Create a toy rotation system: Not every toy needs to be out at once. Store some toys out of sight and rotate them periodically. This not only reduces clutter but also keeps toys feeling fresh and exciting for your child.
Limit toys to one type at a time: Encourage your kids to put away the toys they are playing with before getting another toy out. This helps contain the mess and makes cleaning up easier.
Step 5: Implement a “One-In, One-Out” Rule
After you’re done decluttering, the real work begins in maintaining the space.
One of the most effective ways to avoid the constant accumulation of toys is to implement a “one-in, one-out” rule. For every new toy that enters your home, encourage your child to let go of an old one.
This helps to prevent clutter from piling up and is a great minimalist rule to follow (even if you don’t consider yourself a minimalist). This simple mindset shift encourages moderation and thoughtful consumption.
Birthdays and holidays are often when the majority of toys enter the home. Gently inform family members that your kids don’t need more stuff and offer alternative suggestions, such as experience-based gifts.
While some new items are likely to make it into your home around the holidays, decluttering ahead of time can create space so that the stuff doesn’t feel so overwhelming.
Step 6: Teach the Value of Experiences Over Stuff
As you declutter, take the opportunity to teach your kids that joy doesn’t come from having more things.
Encourage experiences that promote creativity, outdoor play, and time spent together.
The fewer toys there are, the more your children will play and use their imagination and problem-solving skills.
Instead of constantly adding new toys to the collection, enrich your child’s life with thoughtfully selected open-ended toys, books, board games, art supplies, or outdoor games.
These things not only reduce clutter but also offer lasting value that nurtures your child’s development.
Spending time outside and allowing kids to be ‘bored’ encourages them to come up with their own games and stories.
Enjoying experiences and going places together can also be a great opportunity for learning, growth, and creating memories as a family.
How to Declutter Kids’ Toys: Simplifying Your Home, Simplifying Your Life
Decluttering kids’ toys is a process, not a one-time event. It’s about cultivating a home environment that supports the values of simplicity and creativity.
By involving your kids in the process, focusing on quality over quantity, and creating intentional storage spaces, you can drastically reduce clutter while encouraging their growth and imagination.
Remember, less is often more when it comes to toys. And when your home is less cluttered, the space feels lighter, more peaceful, and more inviting. Your kids will have more room to play, create, and explore — and so will you.
How do you declutter kids’ toys in your home? Let us know in the comments section below.
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