Tossing Toys Without The Guilt

Home Organization: Kid Toy Closet Organization (Seattle Eastside)

In case you need a reminder: Christmas is coming.

If an influx of new toys will send your already crammed play space over the clutter-edge, I’m here for you.

Mama, it’s time to get ruthless. Pick up that garbage bag and start scooping up toys for donation.

Here are my tips to tossing toys without the guilt.

1. Night Time Renegade

Tossing toys in front of your kids is not for the faint of heart. If you don’t have the stamina to involve them in the decision-making process or if you just want to avoid the endless cries of “but I looooooove this toy!!!”, this is the solution for you.

When Little Billy’s zzz’s begin, this is your cue. Get out a garbage bag and start pillaging the playroom. If you think you can go full-tilt in grabbing all of the second-rate toys without detection, go nuts and fill bags to your heart’s content.

If your kids can sniff out a missing toy from a mile away, tackle this slowly by taking only a handful of items at a time. This will also reduce the guilt factor.

2. Fly By Day Sleuth

If night time has you couch-bound after a stressful day, this might just be your answer.

While the kids are napping, on a Zoom call, or zoned out with a movie, consider the coast clear.

Tour the house with a clothes hamper in hand and start popping toys in. With a hamper in tow, nobody will be the wiser. (Note: a garbage bag will be a clear giveaway that you’re up to no good).

Again, the key here is to keep to only a few toys at a time. The best part is that you can tackle this a few minutes at a time and you’ll get a sick high knowing that you’re getting away with it.

Tour the house with a clothes hamper in hand and start popping toys in. With a hamper in tow, nobody will be the wiser.

3. Delay Donation

So much parent guilt with toy tossing comes with the fear of purging something that your little one still “kinda” likes. Quiet this worry by finding an undetectable spot in your garage to store your loot bag. If your kids don’t ask for it after 2-3 weeks of sitting in the garage, consider it safe to give these toys the ol’ heave ho.

If your kids don’t ask for it after 2-3 weeks … consider it safe to give these toys the ol’ heave ho.

4. Take Pictures

Those toys that pull at your heartstrings but you know deep down that it’s time to part ways? Yeah, I feel ya (see pic of little green frog below). These are the tough ones.

Taking pictures of sentimental toys will be your heart’s saving grace. A little farewell pic will digitize them for the rest of time. If and when you miss said item just bring up the pic and get your fill.

Taking pictures of sentimental toys … digitize them for the rest of time.

5. Less Is More

When the toy-tossing guilt hits you, remind yourself that less really can be more. Sure, your kids may throw a fit upon discovering that some of their toys are missing, but that initial disappointment will fade. At that point you’ll see that your kids are actually playing with their toys more than ever as everything left are toys they actually love. It seems counter-intuitive, but it’s true.

Donating Toys Without The Guilt

At the end of the day, donating outgrown and no-longer-loved toys is a right of passage for both you and your kids. It frees your home of clutter and surrounds you with items you love. Everyone in your family will feel the difference.

When all else fails, pop in Toy Story and this beloved movie will remind you that even Woody finds it in him to let go. If Woody can do it, so can you.

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