4 Simple Steps to Declutter Toys (and Keep It That Way)

If you have children then you know. You know how much stuff and clutter they acquire. First it’s puzzle pieces, Hot Wheels and Barbies — then art supplies, Lego sets and sports equipment. It grows like weeds and ends up everywhere.

With three kids I’ve lived this firsthand. Between birthdays, holidays and well-intentioned grandparents, toys and kids’ stuff accumulate faster than you can keep up. That’s exactly why I declutter toys regularly in our house — not to take things away from my kids but to make space for what they actually love. And yes, heaven forbid we remove something they ask for a week later — but it happens far less than you’d think.

The good news is it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This simple four-step process will help you figure out exactly what to keep, what to let go of and how to organize what’s left.

Why a Toy Declutter Is Worth It

Before diving into the steps here’s a quick reminder of why decluttering toys is worth your time — for your home and for your kids.

• It lowers the overwhelm of so many toy choices
• It creates more physical space at home
• It can offer donations for children in need — always a great lesson for kids

A toy declutter can happen any time of year; although if there’s a natural sweet spot it’s right before the holidays when new gifts are on the way. That said, whenever the clutter starts feeling like too much is the right time to start.

The 4 Steps to Declutter Toys

The key is working through these steps in order. Skipping ahead to organizing before you’ve purged is the most common mistake. Here’s your easy-to-follow framework for a smooth and efficient toy declutter.

Step 1: Observation

Take some time to observe your children play at home.  This could be over the course of a few days or just one afternoon. What do they gravitate towards?  What do they ask to do?  Take mental or written notes on what toys or activities they seem to enjoy more than others.

Conduct a “toy test” by setting out toys in their rooms or play area of the house and see what they are drawn to.  For younger children, ask their teacher what they play with at daycare or preschool.

Step 2: Identify

After a brief observation period you are ready to identify the toys they like.  Perhaps you discover how much they love stickers or see your toddler walk around with more cars in his hand than you can count.  Maybe you realize they are more into outdoor play or boardgames (this is my middle child all the way).

Along with identifying it’s helpful to categorize what your kids enjoy.  For example my children enjoy arts and crafts, books, music and energetic, active play.  When considering a gift either from me or a family member I look to these categories. 

Step 3: Purge

Now the fun part!  After identifying what toys are being played with (not just picked up then dropped on the ground — don’t you just love it when they do this), purge every item that is not getting attention or they’ve outgrown. 

Tons of LEGO bricks that just get scattered every once in awhile? Bag them up and sell the lot.  Books below reading level? Donate. Board games with missing pieces? Recycle or properly dispose.

The more you purge the lighter you will feel. When you look around and see less “stuff” and create more space in your home, you will find more space mentally as well.

Tips for a declutter toy purge

• Do it when the kids are not home (this would only be the opposite if you feel comfortable with the fact they will be onboard and not sway you to keep items)
• Purge when you have energy (as a mom I know this can be hard to find) but you’ll make better decisions when you are clearheaded and focused (refer back to your toy declutter worksheet for reference).
• Create three piles: dispose, donate, sell
• Have plenty of bags or sturdy boxes on hand
• Set aside space for the donations of your declutter, perhaps even in your car’s trunk so you’ll be sure to take it to donation center and not leave it at home
• Consider ways to resell gently used, yet usable items. Facebook Marketplace, local or online consignment shops (i.e., ThredUp) are safe choices for getting a little money out of your toy declutter.
• Be sure to responsibly recycle what you can (i.e, batteries, electronic toys), not just throw it into the trash. Here is a reference article for toy recycling.

Step 4: Organize

With what’s left from your toy declutter, an organization system will keep everything in place. 

Most importantly, don’t start organizing toys before doing your toy declutter. Avoid the trap of keeping too much and assuming if you just organize it, you won’t be so bothered by it. This is why observe, identify and purge are important steps for decluttering toys.

🧸 Ready to set up a minimalist toy storage system? Once you’ve decluttered, a thoughtful storage setup makes all the difference. Here’s how to create minimalist toy storage your whole family will actually use.

10 Simple Ways to Organize After a Toy Declutter

Once you’ve cleared out the excess, organizing what’s left becomes so much easier. Here are ten simple ideas to get everything in its place.

• A cabinet or bookcase for puzzles and board games
• Soft storage chests for large scale toys like stuffed animals or dress up clothes
• A shelving unit with canvas boxes for mid-size toys like Barbies and Nerf
• Large plastic or metal bins for balls and outdoor play supplies
• Trays for corralling items that go together (i.e., coloring books and crayons)
• Stackable baskets for loose construction and craft papers
• Vertical file folders for activity books
• Mason jars for colored pencils and markers
• Clear plastic bins for building blocks, play dough and accessories, etc
• A 3-tier rolling cart for smaller items and when floor space is limited

2 Organizing Tips Worth Remembering

Keep these two principles in mind as you set up your new system — they make a real difference in how well it holds up over time.

• Organize by category (it’s okay to have broad categories, they don’t have to be super specific) i.e., puzzles stacked together, art supplies all in the same spot, sports equipment in the garage
• Organize by color (rainbow organization isn’t just for looking pretty. It actually helps!)

How a Toy Declutter Changes the Way You Give Gifts

One unexpected benefit of going through this process is how it shifts your thinking around gift giving — for your own kids and beyond.

Now that you’ve gone through the four-step toy declutter and know what your children receive the most joy from, your future gift giving can be more intentional.

Congrats on going through this process! It can be overwhelming to start a declutter project but following a plan can help you stay on track. Remember decluttering toys is not about taking away from your child but providing space, both mental and physical, for your both.

A Few of My Favorite Toy Organization Picks

Simple, practical storage solutions that work for real family homes — no Pinterest-perfect playroom required.

• Soft Toy Chest — perfect for large scale toys like stuffed animals, dress up clothes and sports gear
• Over-the-Door Organizer — a game changer for Barbies, doll accessories and small figurines
• Art Supply Caddy — keeps crayons, markers, scissors and craft supplies all in one contained spot
• Woven Baskets — beautiful and functional for corralling just about anything
• Large Woven Basket — ideal for dress up clothes, stuffed animals or anything that needs a generous home
• Stuffed Animal Net or Hammock — gets stuffed animals off the floor and out of the way while still being accessible

Your Kids Will Thank You (Eventually)

Decluttering toys isn’t about taking things away from your kids — it’s about making space for what they actually love. Less to sort through, less to step on, less to manage. And when the right toys are easy to find and put away, kids actually play with them more.

Start with step one, move through the process at your own pace and don’t overthink it! A lighter, more intentional toy collection is one of those small changes that makes everyday family life feel noticeably better. Even if your kids don’t appreciate it right away, you will.