We have too many toys. Way too many toys. It is ridiculous how many toys we have. Unfortunately, every time I think that my children have outgrown a toy or just don't have an interest in that toy any longer, they start playing with it again. I was so certain that the potato heads were ready to bring joy to a new little boy or girl. I boxed them up and put them in the garage to be donated. Two days later, C asked for them and he and R have not stopped playing with them since.Do you rotate toys? I have been meaning to do this for years and I think that it might work well in our house.
I also would like to implement a rule that every time a toy comes into the house, a toy has to leave the house. Do you do this?
Also, I think we have too many bins for toys. If we had fewer containers, then we would have to have fewer toys, I think.
How do you manage toy chaos? How do your children deal with saying goodbye to old toys?
5 comments:
I rotate toys both small and large and keep them in bins in the garage.I also set aside specific toys for play only when I allow usually for "tot school" stuff.
By rotating toys you won't have to worry about having too many bins you can use them to place specific toys in specific bins. That what we do. I have a car bin, train bin, book bin, log bin, food/kitchen stuff bin...
We use the Ikea Trofast storage systems for the toys.
I've always thought the one in one out was a great idea but in theory it hasn't been something that has worked for us.
I do a post some time...let me tell you that Trofast system is the best ever (if you don't already use it)
PS I am going to to get to you skin care Q this weekend! Wanted to get the next skin post out first!
I do try to box up some toys and rotate them...especially stuffed animals. But now that Evan is using Meghan's old toys...ugh. Too many here too.
And unfortunately I don't want to implement the get a toy give a toy rule yet since we'll probably have another baby one day. I think I want to address grandparents at Christmas and birthdays about limiting it to one or two gifts...but really I'd like a swingset instead of lots of little gifts....but that is a lot to ask for from our family who doesn't have a lot of money themselves.
We have tons of books and a lot of toys too.
We have a hand me down table that has bins underneath...great for puzzles and books, but really really big. We also have a toy box...and many large things like a little trampoline, great big horse, and kitchen set, oh and a slide....all kept in the toy room with the table and pack n play!
I need help too...sorry!
We're moving in a couple of weeks, and I've been trying to pack lately. Every time I pack ANYthing, our 18-month old decides he must play with it that moment. I've never done the toy rotating thing either, but I can see where it would work well.
We have too many toys too. And too many of them have too many pieces! I have tried to put things up high where they can't reach them and put the small kitchen, tea set, and pots and pans in the closet that I lock so that they have to ask for it.
I am not good at staying on top of things enough to rotate :)
Well, I know things are a lot easier for me since I only have one kid, but this is our rundown:
His bedroom--all of his storybooks fill a large bookcase. There are just a couple of toys on the shelves--Lincoln Logs and Tinker Toys in their containers. There is a big basket with his stuffed animals next to his bunk beds--if it starts to overflow--some have to go. He also has all of his Playmobil pirate stuff in one corner on the floor--two ships, a fort, and a bin of accessories.
His playroom (our third bedroom)--here we have a large "train" table which currently has his Playmobil castle on it. The trains are in the top of the closet and only get pulled down when he asks for them. We have three tall bookcases along one wall in here. We have labeled baskets for everything--monster trucks, tractors, etc. This is also where he keeps his look-n-find type books, books about weapons, pirates, etc. Toys that he isn't willing to get rid of but doesn't play with much, we put on the higher shelves--like his Little People farm, castle, and Noah's ark.
Our family room has a game shelf and I also keep some games and puzzles in our hall closet which I rotate. We also have his science/nature shelves in the family room and this is where he keeps all his nature collection stuff, science books and materials. And in another corner we have his desk where he keeps his everyday art supplies and activity books.
Whew--maybe I should just do a tour of my house post. :)
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