By the time the holidays are over, your children will likely have dozens of new toys.
Instead of trying to stuff them in an already full playroom or bedroom, why not spend a few hours now and make room for all the new dolls, books, cars, and games that are sure to come.
It’ll make your house cleaner and more organized. But, more importantly, you’ll be creating a clutter-free environment that—hopefully—will allow your children to appreciate and take care of what they have. Here’s how to get the job done.
Get Rid of the Broken Toys, “Freebies,” and Crafts
This is an easy first step. Throw away anything that is missing too many parts or is beat-up and never used. Look around for all the little “prizes” kids get in school, daycare, at birthday parties, or from fast food restaurants.
Work while your kids are not around and don’t worry about accidentally getting rid of something your child treasures. If you’re really on the fence about an item, put it in a bag in your closet for three days. If it’s never mentioned, out it goes.
The same goes for all of the crafts your kids make. Of course you should keep a few favorites, but you also need to make room for all of the drawings and art projects that are surely on their way.
Pack Up Toys Your Child Has Outgrown
If you’re done having children, this step is fairly straightforward. If your child no longer uses a toy, donate it, sell it or pack it up and save it to be sold at a garage sale.
Things get a little more complicated if you expect to have more children or have younger kids who will “grow into” their older siblings’ toys. Instead of just leaving them lying around, pack them up and bring them out when the time is right.
Evaluate What’s Left
At this point, you should only be left with toys in good condition that your child actually uses. Does the playroom look organized and pleasant? Or is it still a hot mess of overflowing shelves?
If there are still too many toys, consider practicing the art of toy rotation. Pack up a box—or a few boxes—and stash them where your children won’t find them. Bring it out in two weeks and pack up a new box to be put away. Repeat the swap every few weeks.
Consider Self Storage
There might be times when renting a self storage unit is just what you need to tackle toys. Maybe you’ve packed up a bunch of boxes for a summer garage sale. Or maybe you have boxes of toys you’re saving for younger children.
At StorageMart, we offer clean, well-lit storage units in a variety of sizes—all of which can be rented on a month-to-month basis. Someday, you’ll miss seeing toys everywhere (OK, maybe not), but until then, renting a self storage units can offer an easy and affordable solution.