• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Happy Simple Mom Logo.

Happy Simple Mom

Simple, Clutter-Free Living

  • Start Here
  • Decluttering
    • How to Declutter
    • Areas to Declutter
    • Cleaning
    • Organization
  • Simple Living
    • The Simple Life
    • Minimalist Lifestyle
    • Simple Gifts
  • Simple Kids
  • Simple Money
  • Happy Simple Mom Book Club
  • Shop

The Best Ways to Get Your Kids to Declutter WITH YOU!

April 14

Sharing is caring!

716 shares
  • Share325

I recently learned a valuable lesson, my kids can learn how to get rid of toys on their own.

Every year, before Christmas, we go through my kids’ rooms and prepare them for the new toys coming in. It works.

Every year, both my children have birthdays a few months later, and I do NOTHING to prepare for the further onslaught of gifts. Maybe I think there’s no preparation needed. I mean, Christmas was just a couple months prior.

How much has changed? Yet, every birthday, there is a deep need in our house to get rid of old toys.

Two boys donating their own toys while decluttering

Sneaky nap-time purging (used to be my favorite way to get rid of toys)

When I first decided to declutter our home and simplify my life, I was on a mission, and I really didn’t care about anyone’s opinion on what stayed and what had to go. I was ruthless, and I’m only a little apologetic for getting rid of my family’s things.

I learned some valuable lessons during that time like to start by decluttering my bedroom and my stuff first. Starting with my own stuff first would have prevented some heartache.

I did what I call, nap-time purging. I would get my kids all excited to take a nap in the same room, and then I would start getting rid of toys in the other room. It worked. They were young, and I don’t think they even noticed.

The problem is, they are no longer young toddlers. They are in elementary school, and they notice when their old toys magically disappear.

Send my FREE Decluttering Checklist!

To involve your kids or not when getting rid of toys?

I may have lost it recently. You know the rage cleaning that hits when you’ve finally had enough? I was ready to walk into my kids’ rooms with trash bags and load up the car for a Goodwill run in order to get rid of toys. Acting within reason was out the window!

My sweet, dear husband reminded me to take my own advice and not to get rid of all of their toys while they were at school. He was right, but I did initially doubt his more tactful method.

I fought the urge to grab a trash bag and waited for my children to come home from school. On the way home, I mentally prepared them.

We were going to pick out five toys to get rid of and give away to make room for their new birthday toys. Just five. They could do this much. They reluctantly agreed.

Related post: Teaching Your Children Minimalism (9 Helpful Tips)

How to get rid of toys without whining: Let your kids pick the toys to donate

When we got home, we got to work.

I suggested they start with their bins of stuffies, which were overflowing. How?! I don’t even buy stuffed animals or dolls anymore. I swear they reproduce while the girls are at school. I digress. 

Each girl started to go through their bins and to my surprise, they each found five stuffies to give away. I praised them with each choice as I sat on the bed and watched, letting them have full control. 

Your kids can learn how to get rid of toys on their own.

Use these strategies when getting rid of toys

When you are teaching your kids how to get rid of toys, start with the easy stuff.

Sometimes, this may mean starting with the baby items. Most kids are super willing to get rid of stuff clearly for babies, especially if they are trying to be a “big girl” or “big boy”.

Next, start with getting rid of old toys that are clearly in abundance. This trick works well when you have a container they can go in. I give my kids a limit, the container. Once it is full, it is full. They seem to be able to work with this concept well.

Finally, try giving your kids a number. Pick five items or ten items to donate. Having a concrete goal to work with, rather than just saying, “We need to get rid of toys!”, works wonders for their little minds.

Sometimes, your kids will surprise you when it is time to get rid of toys

While my kids were getting rid of their old toys, my youngest gave me an ultimate surprise. She suggested we get rid of her Doc McStuffins hospital. This toy takes up a lot of space and she’s too big for it, but she still played with the pieces in it, even though the toy itself was way too small for her.

I’ve wanted to find another home for this toy for at least a year now, but I didn’t want to make that decision for her. I was blown away. She told me we should keep the doctor’s pieces, but she knew she was too big for the hospital.

Elementary-aged kids can get rid of their own toys

My takeaway after this experience was big. As my kids grow, I need to trust them to make their own decisions about what stays and what goes. When they were little, I did it for them.

Kids still need a little guidance when learning how to get rid of toys, but they can do it.

They’ve seen the benefits of having less. They know they have more space to play and we have more money to do fun experiences. However, to watch them decide what stays and what goes was fantastic, and I was very proud. 

Even at their still young ages, we can teach our kids how to let go of items that no longer bring them joy. We can stop the cycle of hoarding clutter because of sentimental value. 

Related post: How Fewer Toys Benefits Your Kids

There are multiple benefits to kids having fewer toys!

Be a good example when your kids get rid of toys on their own

If your kids are purging their own toys, please be a good example. If they want to get rid of a toy, don’t try to convince them otherwise.

I found myself wanting to hold on to toys because of sentimental value. Then I asked myself, why? Why do I really want them to keep this toy? They haven’t played with it in months, and they are freely electing to get rid of it.

I’m pretty practiced at dealing with the emotions of decluttering, but I still fall victim to them. Before you speak and try to convince your child otherwise, think about why you want to keep something.

Teach your kids how to get rid of toys so they learn simpler living.

Take Action

If you have kids and want to get rid of toys, set them a very small goal and see what they do on their own. Kids sometimes need guidance, but they are capable of learning how to get rid of toys on their own. They may surprise you!

RELATED POSTS:

Raise a Happy Kid, Not a Well-Funded Kid

How Fewer Toys Will Benefit Your Kids

How to Manage Toy Clutter in 9 Simple Steps (Guilt-Free)

toy aniamsl lined up

Sharing is caring!

716 shares
  • Share325
Category: Simple Kids
Previous Post:Our Fiver Birthday Party Fail
Next Post:How to Organize a Craft Room + FREE ChecklistPaper crafts in a craft room

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. heatherb2016

    April 15 at 9:30 pm

    Hi Brooke!

    I LOVE your blog! I find it super helpful and entertaining!

    I wanted to let you know that because I love Happy Simple Mom so much, I nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award!

    I think this is a great way to recognize fellow bloggers. If you would like to read some questions with my answers and participate by
    nominating other bloggers and answering a few fun questions, get all the info you need here:

    https://madeinapinch.com/sunshine-blogger-award/

    Have a wonderful day!
    Heather

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sidebar

Join the Happy Simple Mom community:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Hello, I’m Brooke! My goal is to share lessons I’ve learned to live simply and clutter-free with a family. Don’t let excess stuff and too many obligations weigh you down. Reduce your stress, and live a happy life!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Recent Posts

Piggy bank looking different from others while wearing sunglasses

Silly Ways You May Be Wasting Your Money

Tiny efforts make a big difference, just like this seedling finally emerging from beneath the dirt.

Tiny Efforts Can Create Big Results: The Power of Small Habits

Afraid of Decluttering Too Much? Advice to Get Past Your Fears

Why Living Clutter-Free Can Feel Like a Vacation

  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy and Disclosure
  • Refund Policy
Happy Simple Mom Submark.

Copyright © 2025 · Happy Simple Mom™ · All Rights Reserved

Exclusive Member of Mediavine Home

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
 

Loading Comments...