When do you think toys become less of a focus for your children? When it the right time to maybe cull some of them down?We have so many and they rarely get played with. They have their favourite things like Lego and a few car/trucks, but we have blocks, animals, train sets, random sets of …
When do you think toys become less of a focus for your children? When it the right time to maybe cull some of them down?
We have so many and they rarely get played with. They have their favourite things like Lego and a few car/trucks, but we have blocks, animals, train sets, random sets of things of Go Diego Go, Lighting McQueen, Bob the Builder….
I have been wondering lately whether they would be better going to someone littler kiddies that would play with them? My boys have never overly been into toys, but we have accumulated so many.
They love their bikes, scooters, footy and LEGO!
They hardly watch tv, but will have a go on the Wii occasionally (which is another one of those things we bought along with DS’s and a Playstation). Tell me I am not alone here with this!
We would love a new trampoline as they would use that (ours has had it).
They are also too big for our swing set.
So when do you think you should cull the toys and move onto the next step? It’s been 8 years of toys here!
Or should I be keeping them and not be such a mean Mummy getting rid of them? Am I depriving them?
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Comments
lifeinapinkfibro
A cull every six months is essential. Even if you don't have a lot, there's still always too much, and a lot of it isn't played with. I do one pre-Christmas and then about halfway through the year just to…make space, I guess.
To make it easier, you could try explaining the principles of feng shui to them. Throw old stuff out to invite new stuff in. My boys go for that!
Vicki
it's up to you, with Lily we rotate her toys so she doesn't get too bored (but she is only 23 months) we have done a little cull and donated them to a kids ward….another idea which i thought was interesting (which i saw at a garage sale) was a lady got her 9 year old and 11 year old to sell their toys… and gave them the money so they could buy comics or a video game(as the youngest told me he wanted wayyy to cute BTW)).. thought it was a good idea… taught them the concept of money… and clearing space… good luck xxx
1 Funky Woman
NO, you are not depriving them! I say put the toys away for a while and see if they ask for them. If they don't, then they go. I usually have a 1 in 1 out rule in my house. I kind of use that for everything. We have a trampoline and that is the most used toy in our house!
I do think you need to save some for grandkids. It will be nice to have the memories of your kids having played with them and then passing them to their kids!
A-M
I am constantly culling so we can send toys to the "poor little children"… gets them every time, those "poor little children". Am doing a really big cull now, the biggest ….and they are more than happy to say goodbye to toys they NEVER wanted to see go. I think that once they are reading well… all the early educational ones can go. 7 years seems to be the magic age here. It never been easier to cull. My boys are the same as yours… so gross motor and full of energy, they just want to run around and play and bounce off the walls and the wii is used less and less. A-M xx
ssmama
About to do a HUGE cull when I sift the boyo's room round – it's the first time it's been possible in a while since he's been really possessive for a bit, which I haven't liked.
It really motivated me to keep instilling the concepts that others have described above – that there are other needier children we can help, PLUS the concept of making energetic space with our old stuff so that there is room for the new.
Of course, good old capitalism works, too – I've now told him that we are selling some things first, and the proceeds can be split between his savings and his spendings, which means he's now planning for the next Lego set he 'really' needs.
You're not being mean at all. There are some good lessons in all this about how we are with our 'stuff' that we can share with our children, plus why accumulate clutter you/they don't need?
I like that it was the boyo's idea that we keep a little crate of the 'baby' toys for when we have visiting youngsters – maybe some of it is starting to get in? 😉
Lori @ RRSAHM
Throw 'em, I reckon… I'm working up the courage to do the same!!
Julie-Ann
We have a if you haven't played with it in a year it goes rule.My son loves his scooter. When I threatened to get rid of it 3 years ago he protested. Now everyday when he comes home from school he hops on it, scoots down the drive and up and puts it away. He then says "see I am still using it". By the way he drives the car now but still does this little routine every day just so I can't get rid of it lol
Alison
When my own kids were little I would pack them up in crates and change them over about every 3 months. That way they seem to get more use out of them. I now do the same for the little grandkids that are here 3 sometimes 4 days a week and it sill works well. Hate to say it but the grandkids are now playing with some of their parents toys and they love knowing that.
Alison
Janine Marshall
Yeah,
This is often a nightmare. With 3 kids, it just doesn't stop. People tend to go mad around Christmas and Birthdays and while I do understand why they want to give gifts, I'm the one that has to house it all. I don't understand why they don't spread the gift giving over a couple of years or so. I think it's good to pace yourself….then I'm continually asked what do the kids want for their birthday's or Christmas??!!!!….but I am digressing here….yes, I think there's going to be a HUGE clean out here soon, as I have noticed the kids don't play with half of the stuff that is sitting out in the sunroom. I just need to convince the kids!!!!!
Take care
Janine
XXOO
Tassie
Emma
Hi Katrina, Thanks for your lovely comment and for visiting! We do regular culls of toys and I am finding that the less toys they have the more they play with the ones they do. I do the same as A-M and say that we are giving the toys to children who are not as lucky as they are. Emma
JAckie MItchell
Toys yes they need to be culled, we have so many toys, I turf the crappy ones & put some away, then close the Toy room door. You could get the kids to choose some of there toys to sell on ebay then they could use the money to buy a new trampoline you could be fancy & make a tally board for them, but watch it the might start trying to sell everything (haha). I love outdoor toys Trampolines,Sandpitts & Cubby House's
DesignTies
I don't think you're being a mean mom at all!! Why not ask your kids to each pick out their favourite three toys to keep, and then give the rest away to a charity or to a children's hospital. It would be a great way to teach your kids about helping out people who are less fortunate than they are.
Yes, of course you can share the pictures of the Brizo faucet and soap dispenser with your friends on the decorating forum 🙂
Kelly
MelsRosePlace
After a while i just got rid of them while they were at school and do you know not one time did they ever notice? Mind you at 12 and 15 we still have plenty lurking in boxes or other such hidey holes – i think i need to hire a skip! Mel xxx