Clearing Out the Kids’ Stuff as They Grow

By :- Kate, On February 8, 2013 in ::-Uncategorized

As your children get bigger, their interests will change. One day, they’ll love toy trucks and barbie dolls and the next, they’ll be ready for school football. To keep up with their rapidly changing habits (and bodies), it’s important to clear out old clothing and toys to make room for new ones. If you’re stuck when it comes to clearing out your kids’ stuff as they grow, here are five tips to get you started.

Start with a flexible setup. One of the best things that parents can do for themselves to make clearing out easier is to keep cleanup and storage in mind when choosing decor for the kids’ bedrooms. Because children have a lot of toys, there’s no need for more than a few pieces of furniture in their rooms. Use toys as decor by hanging them on the wall or placing them on shelves, and you’ll find your clear out process much easier.

Set a goal for clearing out periodically. If the last time you cleared out toys was more than a year ago, you may need to set a schedule to encourage you to do it more often. This is especially important for younger kids who grow more quickly. Mark it on your calendar to take a survey of clothing, games, books and other items every six months or so to ensure that you don’t become overwhelmed with things that the family no longer has use for.

As the kids’ get older, let them participate. Admittedly, asking a toddler to part with some of his or her toys is a recipe for disaster. But the older your kids gets, the more likely they are to be able to help you clear out their stuff. In fact, if they feel like they have some control over the changes that are happening with their room, they may feel better about getting rid of some stuff.

Create easy and accessible storage. Opt for clear bins or wicker baskets that can be easily slid underneath a bed or tucked into a corner or closet. This will ensure that the next time your de-clutter duties can be completed in record speed because you’ll know exactly where to go. Just be careful not to purchase too many storage containers, or it may encourage you not to get rid of anything.

Decide what to do with old toys and clothing. And now for the fun part. You can always donate clothing and toys to organisations that help families in need. Or you could make a little cash to invest in the family budget by selling your kids’ old belongings to a second-hand store or a website like Ebay or Gumtree. For electronics, music and movies, you could find a site where users sell ipads and other entertainment items.