Hand Me Downs Spotlight: Toys
I get asked this question often. A lot of people struggle with it (I went through it firsthand myself!) – how do I handle hand me down toys?
Not a surprising question as it may be uncertain (will you have more kids? How many? How many years from now?) and the intent is to save money and be kind to our environment.
It's not surprising that you might be uncertain about whether you'll have more kids, how many, or when. The goal is often to save money and be kind to our environment. As a conscientious person, you want to save all the toys you can to avoid rebuying everything. However, even if you are meticulous and careful, you may end up with a lot of stuff that ultimately goes unused. During this time, you might have been storing toys for years, either in storage or worse, in your living space!
Photo Cred: Wood N Toys
So many Toys – HELP!
Toys can be A LOT. Legos, dolls, puzzles, stuffed animals, trucks – the list goes on and on and on!
Holidays, birthdays, the checkout isles – no matter how hard you try – toys just keep piling up. They are constantly and endlessly coming through your front door and into your living room.
Getting rid of them seems impossible. Maybe the younger sibling will want to play with it – so you hold onto it. That seems to make sense, right? And by holding onto it, you are saving money and preventing an item from going into the landfill. So that definitely seems like the best answer – right?
However, we know we cannot hang onto everything. Most people do not have the space, systems to organize would have to be extensive and foolproof so you can locate that one toy easily, years later.
I have yet to come across one parent who has mastered this, to be fair, we are being hired to help people organize their space!
If you are reading this blog, it is probably safe to assume you are struggling with this common issue as well. Often what happens, you end up buying the toy again, you do not have a box of stuff taking up space in your home.
Photo Cred: Shutterstock
So, what is the solution?
So, what is a hardworking parent supposed to do? Here are some of my go-to tips to help you sort out all the stuff:
Buy Less, Buy Quality: Focus on purchasing high-quality toys that will last. This reduces the need to constantly buy new toys and ensures that the ones you do keep will be cherished by the next kids in line.
Edit Frequently: Regularly assess and edit your toy collection. Aim to go through their toys at least once a month. This doesn’t have to be a big task—you might only discard a few items each time. However, consistent editing helps keep your home orderly and allows you to donate toys while they’re still in good condition.
Store Properly: For the toys you decide to keep, ensure they’re clean and stored in appropriate containers for your storage area. If you have a basement or attic prone to moisture or pests, opt for plastic bins with tight-fitting lids to protect the toys.
Be Realistic: Consider whether you'll actually use the toys you've saved. It's easy to hold onto items just in case, but be realistic about what will truly be used and loved in the future.
Organize and Label: Clearly label storage bins to make it easy to find and retrieve toys when the time comes. An organized system will save you time and frustration later.
Donate Wisely: If you come across toys that are still in good condition but no longer needed, consider donating them to charities, shelters, or other families. This keeps the toys in use and benefits others.
Photo Credit: Getty Images