Getting your children involved in decluttering their toys is a great way to help them foster decision making, organization and giving back to the community.
Make sure to set clear expectation that they are ready to do it instead of forcing them to do it. Explain the purpose of decluttering, make it part of a routine and set a manageable limit for different age group readiness.
Here are some strategies to help your children take part in the process:
1. Make it a fun activity for them
Setting a timer: Tell them the game plan. 10 minutes to get rid of 10 toys. Or how many X minutes to get rid of how many toys.
Sorting challenge game: Have 3 boxes ready: keep, donate or trash. And set a timer of 10 minutes to complete the task.
2. Let them be involved in the decision
Ask them to choose which toy to keep and which toy to donate and discuss about donation. Where to donate their toys that are still in good condition to:
Local children’s hospitals, homeless shelters, schools and daycare centers or community/church centers.
Let your children come up with ideas who they can donate to. And let them understand how they are making a difference in another child’s life who may not have access to many toys or need cheering up especially during the holidays.
3 Let them be creative
Encourage your children to get creative with how they want to organize or re-use their toys they have decided to keep.
Create a toy display: Let them decide how to display their favorite toys so they feel ownership of the organization process.
Turn old toys into new: Create a crafting project with old toys like Legos, stuffed animals and create upcycled crafting projects.
Model your behavior for them to see since children do learn better by examples. Starting a decluttering project yourself and show them how you decide which things to keep and with things to part with. Have them help you organize your things.
Happy decluttering!!!
Leave a Reply