Toys and Playrooms: Five categories to declutter as the summer holidays come to an end

A new school year is on the horizon and the summer holidays are drawing to a close. If the kids' toys have taken over your home during the holidays now might be the time to consider a declutter and reset. Here are five areas you might want to consider.

INCOMPLETE PUZZLES AND GAMES

Incomplete puzzles and games can be frustrating for parents and kids alike. If you know a jigsaw puzzle or game is incomplete, what's the likelihood that you're going to start it? In playroom decluttering sessions we go in depth and look at every item, so it's often the case that we're able to locate those missing pieces and put puzzles and games back together to be used again, but if you've searched high and low for the missing pieces and come up blank then it may be time to take action.

If it's a well loved game and still at the right age range for your child, it may be worth contacting the manufacturer to see if the missing piece is available. Sometimes game pieces can be re-used in another game or recycled. Once you've successfully decluttered your games and puzzles, having organised storage is key to maintaining order in the future. Clear plastic wallets can be a great space saving storage idea to keep all the pieces of a particular game or puzzle together in future and stop things from getting disorganised.

OLD ART SUPPLIES:

Art supplies are one of the categories that can get disorganised in a flash. Rock hard modelling clay, dried up felt tips, sticky glitter glue, paper scraps and filled in colouring books. All of the joys of the crafting area.

As we head into September it's a great time to check through all of the supplies and have a good declutter. Begin by gathering everything together and categorising - all the paper together, all the pens together, etc. Then take stock of exactly what you have. Often pens, pencils and colouring books seem to magically multiply while our backs are turned.

Next step is to test to see whats still useable and what's not. Check everything and remove those that have dried up, those that are broken, those that are finished or empty and anything unusable and make a note of what might need replacing. You may also come across colouring books or craft sets that have been outgrown.

DRESSING UP CLOTHES

Dressing up clothes can take up a huge amount of room, so it makes sense not to be wasting space storing ones that have been outgrown or just aren't used.

First, check for sizing. It's common for clothes to sit at the bottom of a storage basket or box for a good couple of years, so check to see if the clothing still fits your child, including accessories like shoes and hats. As you check though, note if any of the remaining clothes or accessories are broken or in need of mending.

If there are a number of clothes and you feel that you would like to reduce them, it's worth taking some time to think about which ones are being used and which might be gathering dust. Your child might have more interest in playing doctor, complete with stethoscope and lab coat, than swashbuckling pirate with eye patch and cutlass. It's a great opportunity to have a chat with them about what their current interests and preferences are.

Consider donating or passing on any clothes and accessories that are still useable. If items have seen better days and can't be mended then fabric recycling is an option. Some local authorities offer kerbside textile recycling and textile recycling banks are available at recycling centres.

BROKEN TOYS

When I'm working with clients in playrooms we often come across a few broken toys. Dolls with missing arms, broken electronics , trucks with missing wheels. Broken toys can be frustrating for children when they can't be used properly and despite the fact they're not being played with, they can take up a large amount of room, so it's definitely a great category to focus on if you're decluttering in a toy area.

 Once you've identified and gathered together any broken toys, consider whether each one has the potential to be repaired. If not, can the toy be used for parts or recycled? Many local authorities now accept rigid plastics including toys at recycling centres so it's worth checking if this is the case in your area.

OUTGROWN BOOKS

When you love books it can be really hard to think about decluttering them and children's books are no exception, but if there's only a limited amount of space and the bookshelves are full to overflowing it might be time to consider a refresh to allow room for some new titles that your child may love.

Check through the books to see which ones are suited to your child's current age and development. Childhood books undoubtedly come with a large dose of sentimental attachment, so there will always be some that you will want to hold on to whatever the reading stage - beloved bedtime stories or well worn favoutite picture books. Whilst it's comforting and can be reassuring to children to have some treasured favourites from when they were little, if the majority of the book case is taken up with books that are too young for their current reading age, it leaves little room for new adventures and interests. Consider if there is room for any books which may encourage them to expand their reading skills.

There are always numerous places that welcome donations, like charity shops. Your child's school might also accept book donations. If your books are in good condition, you could consider selling them online through a book-selling platform. Alternatively, you could organize a book swap with other parents. For any that are incomplete, damaged or ripped beyond repair, check to see if they're suitable for recycling.

If you're interested in decluttering your children's toys or playroom and you would like the help of a professional you can find out more  here.

Happy decluttering!

Nikki

Dunmow Decluttering Herts & Essex Professional Organiser

Dunmow Decluttering Herts & Essex Professional organiser offers home organising services, home decluttering services & house move preparation & unpacking for the areas surrounding Great Dunmow - Saffron Walden - Stansted - Bishop's Stortford - Sawbridgeworth - Ongar - Epping - Chigwell - Loughton - Colchester - Chelmsford - Brentwood - Braintree - Cogeshall - Tiptree - Witham - Maldon - Halstead - Sudbury - Haverhill