Holiday Prep: Why Now Is The Perfect Time to Declutter Toys

As a mom of a 4-year-old, I know firsthand how quickly toy clutter can get out of control and with the holiday season just around the corner, I’m already bracing myself for the influx of new gifts that are sure to arrive.

That’s why I’m here to share some tips that help me keep our home manageable during this time of year. If you’re a busy parent like me, juggling work, home, and family life, keep reading for tips to purge the toys before the holidays.

Why Declutter Toys Before the Holidays?

1. Save Your Sanity

There’s nothing like feeling overwhelmed by toy clutter, especially when you’re trying to enjoy the holiday season. Decluttering before the chaos of gift-giving begins can make your home feel calmer and more organized.

2. Make Room for New Gifts

For children, holiday gifts usually mean more toys. By clearing out what’s no longer loved or used, you’ll create space to welcome new items without adding to the clutter. This way, when the wrapping paper starts flying, you’ll feel prepared.

3. Encourage Your Child’s Focus

Believe it or not, too many toys can actually be overwhelming for kids, too. When they have fewer choices, they often play more creatively and for longer periods. Decluttering now helps set them up for better play experiences.

4. Teach Them About Gratitude and Sharing

Decluttering can be a great teaching moment. I’ve found that involving my child in the process and explaining that some toys will be shared with kids who need them helps build empathy and gratitude.

How to Declutter Toys with Your Kids

Step 1: Get Them Excited About the Process

Talk to your child about what’s coming. I like to tell my daughter that we’re making room for new surprises and helping other kids at the same time. Setting the stage in a positive way can make a big difference.

Step 2: Sort into “Keep,” “Donate,” and “Toss” Piles

Gather up all the toys. To make it less overwhelming, you could go room by room. For instance if you have toys upstairs and downstairs, maybe day 1 is downstairs toys and day 2 is for upstairs. Do whatever works for you but the 3 piles are required.

• Keep: Toys they play with regularly or truly love.

• Donate: Toys that are still in good condition but haven’t been touched in months.

• Toss: Broken toys or those with missing pieces.

I usually let my daughter pick out a few favorites that she loves, and then I help guide her through what to let go of. It can be tough, but kids are often more open to the idea than we think!

Step 3: Set Up a Simple Storage System

Having an easy-to-follow storage system can make a huge difference. For us, cube storage bins and open shelves work well. Labels help too for easy clean-up. If your child can’t read yet, you can always use pictures or color coding for labeling bins.

Step 4: Try Toy Rotation

If there are still too many toys, toy rotation can be a lifesaver. I store some toys out of sight and rotate them every couple of weeks. Not only does this reduce clutter, but my daughter gets so excited when a “new” batch of toys comes out. It’s like having a little mini holiday throughout the year.

Tips for Deciding What to Keep

Sometimes it’s hard to know what to let go of and what to keep. Here’s what I look for:

• Is It Age-Appropriate?

  Toys that my daughter has outgrown usually go in the “donate” pile. There’s no need to keep items that don’t match her current stage.

• Is It in Good Condition?

  If a toy is broken or has missing parts, it’s an easy decision to toss it.

• Does It Encourage Creativity?

  I keep toys that have lasting play value; think things like building blocks, craft kits, and pretend play items.

• Do They Play with It Regularly?

  If it hasn’t been touched in months, it’s a sign that it’s no longer needed. If you’re still on the fence, try storing it away for 3-6 months. If they haven’t asked about it, you can likely get rid of it.

Purging toys before the holidays is one of the best ways I’ve found to bring peace into our home. When the new toys arrive, I know we’ll have space for them, and my daughter will actually be able to find and enjoy them without feeling overwhelmed.

This holiday season, give yourself the gift of a clutter-free home. Happy holidays and happy decluttering!