Help, are there any rules for decluttering toys?

Help, are there any rules for going through toys? Sure there are, and at the same time there aren't. The Ruuhkaton arki method uses some scientifically proven findings, but you can also go through children's toys with your own intuition. In this article, I will discuss a few general 'rules of thumb' for going through toys.

Rule 1. Pruning - Do you have to give something up?

Not if there is storage space and the situation does not burden children or adults.

However, if you find that you are living with a grumpy, disgruntled or vaguely unattractive bunch, it's a good idea to look at your surroundings. Could you have too many toys? Is the floor flooded with toys in the evenings, or has a family member had to squat for 30 minutes to clear it again? Do you only play with toys for two seconds before throwing them in the corner? Do your children complain of boredom? These are potential signs of an overload of toys.

Teaching a child material skills is a great service. Giving up is a skill that develops by doing and little by little. The first time you go through toys, the child (or adult) may not be able to give anything up yet. That's OK, it's a start. Pruning gets easier with repetition. It is best to go through the toys again in 2-6 months, so that the child gets used to weeding and giving up. By repeating the walk-through, it becomes a regular routine that can be tied into a routine, for example, before birthdays and Christmas gift-giving. Less toys has been shown to improve play.

Rule 2: Less in, more out - Can I buy new toys?

Try to refrain from buying toys. If you have a few toys, you already have enough. Children need to be together and be present, so be graciously honest here: are you buying a toy because your child needs it? Or would you like to get it as a souvenir because you're away on a business trip or because you want some peace and quiet to play with? These are sadly unworkable solutions that will only burden the family in the long run with unnecessary clutter. You all learn bad habits at the same time, when dealing with miserable moods is swept under the carpet.

On the way home from work, you can sit down for a moment to draw with your child and catch up on the news. You can "buy" your own time by practising boundaries: you tell your child that you will play with him for 15 minutes, then he lets you have 15 minutes to yourself. I know it's not quite that easy, but with practice, these habits start to bear fruit, while increasing the amount of goods accumulates chaos. Usually toys come unsolicited and it's more comfortable to say yes to gifts when you haven't picked up more, but there's a genuine need and space for more toys. Read about the impact of the exchange capsule to get peace.

Mind association Article from "The child does not need new purchases in autumn, but the presence and support of an adult" also opens up observations on this topic.

Rule 3: Less is more - How do I know if a toy is unnecessary?

Has the toy been played with in the last month? If not, it's pretty safe to put the toy in a replacement capsule or rotation. The same goes for age-appropriate toys, stash the older child's toys away to wait and rotate the younger child's toys as the children grow. If the child says he or she wants to give up the toy, take the toy away from play. If it's important to you, you can keep it in your keepsake box. This is a way of showing respect for the child's opinion.

Roughly speaking, we can consider scientific research on the basis that if a child has four toys, a fifth is pointless. After four toys, the choice of toys shortens both the quality and the length of play. So if you want your child to play and the whole family to enjoy the benefits of play, then keep toys to a minimum. Read more about the number of toys.

Rule 4. Favour open-ended toys - Which toys do I choose for my children?

Child psychiatrist Jari Sinkkonen instructs meaningfully: 'look at the child'. What he means by this is that every parent knows the answer to such situations by watching their child. If the child is old enough to tell you, you should ask him what his favourite toys are at the moment. These can be left in active play if there is a home for all of them. This is important so that the child can look after the toys at home.

If you're still unsure, a good rule of thumb is to offer toys that can be used to "drive" (e.g. a toy car), play role-play (e.g. a doctor's bag), care or cuddle (e.g. a doll), and toys that can be combined to build endless combinations (e.g. blocks). These categories support the child's cognitive and social development and are open-ended toys, with an endless play pattern that allows the child's imagination to develop. Read more about toy selection on my blog What kind of toys does your child need?

Rule 5. Practising the skills of need and supply - The child wants extra toys, what do I do?

Ask if your child would like to swap toys in use for those in the capsule. Which ones could be put there or recycled? Look at the ones that are going out first, and then take the ones in the capsule to replace them. Arrange a home for the new ones so that the child can return everything home in the evenings.

If the inertia of new toys continues, is it really time to get more age-appropriate toys? In that case, adopt a 30-day shopping list or a savings plan, depending on whether you already have the money. If you still feel like buying toy x in a month's time, and you can afford it and have a place for it, you can buy the toy without feeling guilty.

Rule 6. Practising consumerism - We bought a much anticipated toy and the child rejected it the very next day, what do we do?

I'm glad you responded, this is a great opportunity to deal with the fear of shopping and emotions. Talk about how you felt thinking about the toy before you bought it, how you felt waiting and saving, how you felt buying the toy and coming home. How do you feel now and why are you no longer interested in the toy? Would your child choose differently if they could choose again? How could you do things differently next time if you regret it now?

Explain the consumer's right of return, noting that the toy cannot be played with before the purchase decision is made and that the receipt and product labels must be attached. Agree on guidelines for the next toy purchase. Let the child practice next time, even if regret strikes. Dealing with disappointment constructively is truly a wonderful skill and growing into a moderate consumer takes a lot of practice and repetition.

What is your favourite toy category? We are wildly over-represented with soft toys, but they really do seem to be a favourite and we play with them for imaginative play.

If you need help with your toy flood, you can contact, and let's solve your traffic jam! I am a professional organiser based in Pirkanmaa, specialising in helping families with children.