Toys arrive steadily: birthdays, holidays, grandparents, party bags. Before long there's more than anyone can play with, and tidying takes longer than playing. A good declutter makes the toys you keep more loved, and makes clean-up realistic for small hands.
When to declutter
Good times are before birthdays and the holidays, when new toys are about to arrive, and at the change of seasons. A little every few months is easier than one huge purge.
Step 1: Gather everything
Bring toys from every room into one place. It's the only way to see how many duplicates and forgotten toys there really are.
Step 2: Sort into four piles
- Keep out: favorites and toys played with often.
- Rotate: good toys that aren't being used right now. Store these away and bring them out later.
- Donate or pass on: toys in good condition that your child has outgrown or lost interest in.
- Toss: broken toys, toys with missing pieces, dried-out markers and anything unsafe.
Step 3: Check for safety
While sorting, look for cracks, loose parts, exposed batteries and worn seams on plush. Remove anything with small parts if you have a child under 3. It's also worth checking older toys against recall lists.
Step 4: Involve your child (the right way)
- For toddlers, do the first sort yourself, then let them choose from a small pile.
- For preschoolers, offer choices: "Which three cars do you want to keep out?"
- Talk about giving: "Another child will love playing with this."
Step 5: Give what stays a home
A declutter only lasts if every toy has an obvious place to go back to.
- A low, open shelf for the toys that are out. The Juniper toy shelf has five open compartments at toddler height, and comes with anti-tip anchors.
- Bins for small pieces, one category per bin. The Maple toy storage has nine removable bins, two fabric drawers and a rolling chest for plush and balls. Anchor it to the wall.
- A cart that makes tidying fun. The Cedar truck cart has two open shelves and optional storage bins, and kids can "park" their toys in it.
Step 6: Keep it from creeping back
- One in, one out: when a new toy arrives, an old one goes.
- Rotate every few weeks from the stored pile. See our toy rotation guide.
- Suggest experiences to relatives, like classes, zoo passes or a day out, instead of more toys.
Questions parents ask
How many toys should a toddler have out?
There's no magic number, but many families find 8 to 12 toys out at a time is plenty, with the rest rotated.
Should I declutter toys without my child knowing?
For very young toddlers, sorting quietly is often easier. Older kids do better when they have a say.
What do I do with toys we don't need?
Pass them to friends or family, donate to local charities (check what they accept) and recycle what you can.
Need new storage? Compare the options in how to choose toy storage.
More storage ideas in living room toy storage ideas.
