How to Clear the Toy Clutter before Christmas and Hannukah

Sarah Giller Nelson, Owner, Less Is More

The holidays are such a busy time of year. If you have not had a chance to prep your child’s play areas for the onslaught of new toys, don’t worry, there is still time to clear some clutter. Here are a few ways to get the job done quickly and easily:

1. Start with the easy stuff. Grab a garbage bag and a bag for donations. Toss broken toys, puzzles and games with missing pieces, and dried out markers. Recycle completed coloring books. Donate toys your child has outgrown. 

2. Make space by creating a rotation system. Select a few toys to store in a large lidded bin in an out-of-the-way area, like the top of a closet or the garage. If your child asks for them, you can always bring them down and put others in the rotation bin instead.

3. If the task seems overwhelming, break it down into shorter sessions. There is a lot going on this week, so don’t feel like you must declutter the entire toy collection at once. At this point, you need clear out just enough so that new toys will fit. Try setting a timer for one hour, turning on your favorite songs, and organizing one bin at a time. Once the hour is up, continue if you can. If not, celebrate what you have accomplished and get on with your day.

4. Encourage family members to buy experiences, like movie tickets, museum, zoo, or play space memberships, or gift certificates to a local ice cream parlor, rather than toys. Older children will enjoy tickets to skating rinks, climbing gyms, and concerts.