Are you feeling overwhelmed by kids’ toys? Do you feel like they’re impossible to manage or keep organized? Do you feel overstimulated by stuff?

As Moms of littles, toys are important and do have a place in our home. Wooden train tracks, baby dolls, and Lego can all be worthy investments. Toys spark imagination, excitement, and comfort. They facilitate a child’s play, and play is their number one job.

We know toys are good, but it can be hard to remember that on a Tuesday morning when the house feels like it’s been overrun by blanket forts and Hot Wheels cars. Our patience grows thin, and we want to get rid of it all.

Can you relate?

Today I want to share with you some fresh perspective and hopefully some helpful tips.

It’s called balance.

On the one hand, kids should be able to make messes, and on the other hand, there is a lot of value in tidiness. Kids should be allowed to play freely, but parents and toddlers alike benefit from an ordered environment.

My own Mom was a great example of this balance.

She allowed for lots of toys. I remember having multiple dolls, a playhouse, toy dishes, and Lego. We had a stash of dress-up clothes, old-fashioned household items, books, and an easel. We were allowed to play to our hearts’ content, and we were not necessarily neat and tidy all the time.

But when we were done, we cleaned up. Sometimes she would help us, and sometimes she wouldn’t, but soon everything would be re-ordered and calm again. There was both a level of freedom and a level of structure to her home in which her children thrived. Our home was both an exciting adventure and a safe place to land.

We had toys, and we had tidiness.

Both can coexist.

There can be balance.

If you feel lost and are struggling to find a peaceful balance between chaos and clearing out all toys from the premises, I want to share with you 9 tips that might help. These ideas can help us stay organized while still facilitating our children’s creative play.

Are you ready? Let’s dive in.

Toy Organization Tips

1. Pay attention to what your kids actually play with.

The first tip is to simply observe what toys your children actually enjoy. What items do they really play with?

Now I don’t mean what toys do they get out or what toys do they say they like. Notice what things they actually use?

Perhaps your son can drive his cars for hours. Maybe your daughter is always setting up little houses with her dolls.

These observations are cues for you. They tell you what your child enjoys and finds useful for play.

2. Declutter what is not being used,

Now that you’ve observed what your child uses, consider decluttering what they don’t. Perhaps save some toys for future use or future children, but in general, if they aren’t being used, they should go.

Take a big black garbage bag and put the items that don’t get played with inside.

3. Use containers to set limits.

After decluttering, put what you have now remaining in containers (i.e. one bin for Lego, one bin for toy animals, and one bin for play dishes). Designate these containers as limits. If you’re accumulating more toys than will fit in your chosen container, consider getting rid of some.¹

4. Resist the urge to overbuy.

We want to give our children the world, but that can quickly jump to buying too much. We believe that they need a toy to fit every occasion and facilitate every game.

But that can add up.

Rather than overbuying big ticket items, let your children use their imagination. Don’t buy them everything they want. Allow them some boredom. Give them a need to be creative with what they have, and if you give it some time, you’ll be astounded by their ingenuity.

5. Buy multipurpose and open-ended toys.

Go for versatile toys. While some toys have one function, many are multipurpose. Something like magnet tiles and dolls are open-ended, meaning they can be used for many purposes and pursuits. If a toy can be used as play food, a building block, concrete for a road, and a fence for animals, it’s a good, multipurpose toy!

6. Opt for smaller items.

The bigger the toy, the more physical and mental space it will take up. If you are feeling overwhelmed by your toys, remember less is more. This is especially true if you live in a small house!

Choose toys that can be easily put away in a basket or bin. If you want to have some bigger items, decide where you’ll store it and if you’re okay with that set-up.

7. Choose forgiving toys.

Depending on your children’s ages and personalities, consider choosing toys that can be roughhoused and have pieces lost and STILL be an enjoyable toy.² Things like puzzles and porcelain tea sets are fun but do require a level of maturity and upkeep. Count the cost of such investments.

8. Store in beautiful, durable containers.

Use baskets or bins to store your toys. This makes them look neater and prettier, and it helps with organization. The type of basket you use will depend on what you plan to store in it, and again, the ages and temperaments of your kids.

9. Establish tidy routines.

Clean up throughout the day, and invite your toddler into that process too! This will help keep the toys from getting overwhelming and will teach your child how to manage their belongings and care for a home.

Take heart, Mama. While you may feel overwhelmed and frustrated right now, remember that a messy house often signifies a full life. Create order. Have fun organizing, but also remember that life is about more than a clean home. Laugh with your kids. Kiss your husband, and take a deep breath. God sees and loves you.

FAQ about Kids’ Toys

1. How should we handle birthday gifts when we don’t need any new toys?

Birthday gifts are a blessing. People love to give. But if you are seeking to keep things minimal, here are some ideas:

1. Be thankful for gifts no matter if you NEED them or not.
2. Ask for experience gifts (i.e. trip to the zoo, movie tickets, date with Grandma, etc.)
3. Suggest specific items your child DOES need or would use.

2. What are some good multipurpose, open-ended toy ideas?

Here are some links to the types of toys we enjoy.

Magnetic Tiles Building Blocks Set

LEGO Classic Creative Vehicles Construction Brick Building Kit

Terra by Battat – Farm Animal Figurines & Accessories – 60 Pieces Toy Animal Bucket for Kids – Cows, Pigs, Horses, Cats & More – Realistic Farm Playset – Country World Toys 3+ Years : Amazon.ca: Toys & Games

1. Simple Farmhouse Life. (2021, October 14). Clear the Clutter and Minimize | Simple Farmhouse Life Podcast featuring Katy Wells. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNvwIdN-of0&t=2159s ↩︎
2. Farmhouse on Boone. (2023, July 21). Family of 9 Minimal Home Tour. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5slnHqMG22Q&t=1082s ↩︎