Ever gave your kids ALL New Toys?
Some parents swear that the huge secret to keeping ‘toys alive’ for kids, is by rotating them. To do this, just take a bunch and hide them away for a while. Then, bring them out while taking another batch away, and kids act like they are seeing them for the first time.
I believe it. And, I have done this a little, just for organizing purposes. It really does work, and really cuts back on all the toys that kids have. Which is lots. A ton! Really, far too many toys. And far too many options cause kids to become overwhelmed and frustrated. So, there’s another reason to hide some toys on them for a later time.
My story: Yesterday I gave my kids ALL new toys!
As in 100% new toys. You know what? They were happy and played all day long. With each other, too. Yep, even the twins played together without the usual fights and screams every 2 minutes.
…Wait, did I just write that you should give your kids ALL new toys? Am I nuts?
There’s more to the story actually, put my straight jacket away for the time being.
Truth is, we have been on vacation for the last 2 weeks. So, they haven’t seen any of their toys in a long time {I think that might be 20 years in kid-years}.
You should have seen the excitement of seeing their toys when we got home. It was like Christmas morning x 50. Each and every item that had been here for years, was embraced like a long lost friend. Seriously. Even my oldest, the queen of ‘I’m bored’, was enthralled in all her ‘stuff’.
My point here? And no, I’m not telling you to run out and get the kids all new toys for the sake of everyones’ sanity. That’s crazy-talk.
I’m just saying that maybe Spring is a great time to get some bins and downsize those toys. You’ll reap the benefits when you re-introduce them at some point. Trust me, I just seen it all go down and it was fascinating.
Yet for right now, you’ll have a tidier house and it just might get those kids playing outside a little more often.
So, do you use a toy rotation system? What works well for your family?
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Disclosure: I’m part of the Fisher-Price Play Panel and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group.
The opinions on this blog are my own.
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Jen-Eighty MPH Mom says
05/10/2012 at 10:19 amGosh, sometimes I wish I were a kid again 🙁
Tammi says
05/11/2012 at 3:26 pmMe too Jen!
Kayla @ TheEclecticElement says
05/11/2012 at 11:02 amI’ve heard from a lot of other moms say similar things about the rotation method-Hey, I say if it works, get’s your kids to play more, and save money, I’m all for it!
Tammi says
05/11/2012 at 3:26 pmAmen Kayla!
alissa apel says
05/11/2012 at 3:42 pmIt does work! I rotate them.
Heather Carraway says
05/14/2012 at 11:10 amGenius, will definitely be trying this when the time comes,
lindsay says
05/16/2012 at 12:58 pmJust came across your blog. Love it!
This article actually just reminded me to bring out some of their old toys. I’ve been meaning to do this. I’m usually so busy keeping my twins out of trouble and trying to have eyes in the back of my head to remember anything on my “to-do” list.
Lizbel Matos says
05/22/2012 at 12:07 pmMy kids have so many toys that I’m going to have to do this, I had tried before but living in an apartment kind of limited the places to hide the others but now that we have a house, I think hubby is going to have to surrender a space in the garage.
Clarissa French says
05/22/2012 at 3:41 pmWhen ever I have tried this, it’s seems… it never fails my daughter with spend half her time playing looking for the toy or thing that is put away. I quit rotating and just simply downsized what was “forgotten” more then played with and told her we must have lost them somewhere.
Kelly M says
05/22/2012 at 5:27 pmI have done this in my classroom with books and station activities – the kids get so excited about it!
Kara says
05/22/2012 at 6:20 pmGreat idea! I just have one little boy and the amount of toys – egads! I hide a few from time to time just to take a break (especially from some with annoying sounds). I am definitely going to cut back on the amount of toys that are out and rotate. 🙂
Sharlene says
06/18/2012 at 6:19 pmThat is a great idea – they never realize how much they have until they “rediscover” it tucked away in a box or storage container.
Liz Ticona says
06/26/2012 at 8:39 amThis is a great idea, ill definately be doing that for my boy 🙂
Brittney Alleman says
07/01/2012 at 9:37 amWe dont so much as use a toy rotation system, but donation. We pass all our out grown toys to cousins and other family members who in turn pass us different ones. Its very exciting for the kids every couple of months. Though around Birthday & Christmas time, we go through and donate toys to local charities.