When you have small children the oddest thing happens, their toys start to take over your home. It's like they multiply every time you turn your back. It becomes necessary to find ways to get rid of old toys or there might not be any room left for the actual people in the home. You will find yourself threatening to throw away anything that isn't put away and if you are like me you might actually follow through only to find yourself digging the toy out of the garbage when your kid starts crying or the guilt of throwing a perfectly good toy into the garbage gets to you. Don't worry, you aren't destined to become the star of a future Hoarders episode, there are ways to get rid of old toys with as little trauma to your kids and you as possible.
Read more ¿Qué Más?: 5 Great ways to repurpose old toys
Click through this gallery of 10 tips for getting rid of old toys and get ready to reclaim some space in your home!
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Include your child
How would you like it if your kid went into your closet and got rid of a bunch of your shoes without telling you? Probably not very much even if you do have lots of shoes. Well, that's why you want to include your child in the decision of what toys to get rid of so they feel empowered. You don't have to do it all at once, do it throughout the year. Sit down explain what you are about to do and set a number goal. Then let them pick which toys to get rid of until you reach that numerical goal.
Recycle
If you are like me before you throw anything in the trash you will want to check and see if it can be recycled or reused. I'm not gonna lie, it's a pain in the pompis to try and figure out if a particular toy can be recycled via your regular recycling, so you could get in touch with an organization like Happen's Toy Lab in Cincinnati, Ohio where kids build their own toys out of recycled toy parts.
Trash the trash
If a toy is beyond repair, broken or dangerous, then it's time to trash it. Bummer, I know, but don't try to donate or gift it to others because then they'll just end up having to trash it.
E-cycle
Electronic toys cannot be put in the trash or regular recycling, but you can easily look up an e-cycling center near you.
Donate
Lots of thrift stores accept toy donations, but be sure to check with them first because not all do and they may have some guidelines as to what you can donate toy-wise. For example, I know that where I live, Goodwill does not accept toys, but Salvation Army does.
Women's shelters
Check your local women's shelters and see if they are accepting toy donations. There might be a child out there who could use a toy or two during a rough time.
Churches
Check with your local churches and their children's ministries to see if they are accepting toy donations.
Preschools
Don't forget about preschools and day cares; they need toys and they have kids to play with them. Give them a ring and see if they are accepting donations.
Hand them down
If you've got friends, relatives, neighbors or anyone who has a new baby or children, don't be shy about asking them if they would like some previously loved toys.
Turn then into art
You'd be surprised at all the great arts and crafts you can make with old toys. Your kids can get in out it and use them to decorate their rooms even.
