Our Go-To Toy Declutter Method (and Our 3 Favorite Storage Bins)

Before we get into it, I want to start by clarifying this: decluttering isn’t about getting rid of everything or creating a picture-perfect home.

Decluttering simply means removing what no longer supports your child’s current stage of play—so there’s room for what does. It’s an ongoing, mindful process that evolves as your child grows. The mindset behind decluttering without guilt is letting go of toys not because you made a bad purchase, or that something failed, or that you don’t appreciate what someone gifted you with.

It means the toy, furniture, supply or material has served its purpose.

why decluttering helps your home and child’s development

A thoughtfully decluttered space helps reduce visual and mental overwhelm for children. It also makes it easier for them to choose and return toys. This is essential for children who are growing up to be independent, while learning the value of the things they own.

One of my favorite results from decluttering is how much longer, and more focused my girls are with their play. I find that this creates a calmer environment for everyone in the family, not just for them.

For us as parents decluttering also means: less mess accumulation, faster clean-up, and a space that feels manageable instead of chaotic.

This is what I tell myself every time I start decluttering: “I will honor what worked, release what no longer fits, and keep my home aligned with my children’s growth.”

Here is how you can declutter gently, without the huge overwhelm:

1. Start small. You want to focus on one shelf, bin, a section in your closet, or category at a time. If you need to set a 30 minute timer to manage your time, you can do that!

2. Look for specific toys or materials you know are not being used. These are things which haven’t been touched in weeks, items that frustrate more than engage, and toys your child has clearly outgrown.

3. Create these 3 simple categories:

• Keep (actively used)

• Store (for later stages or rotation)

• Pass along (donate, gift, or resell)

4. Involve your child when appropriate. This builds decision-making and respect for their space. I’ve found involving my 6-year-old has also given her a sense of generosity as we are blessing other families with the toys we have and are being passed on.

Remember that decluttering is a growing practice. Rather than a one-time purge, decluttering is part of maintaining a space that grows alongside your child.

baskets and clear boxes are your bffs

I absolutely love woven baskets. They bring such a natural, texture-rich and elevated look to your regular toy storage. Especially if you are wanting to put away in a shared room where guests, kids, and your family do life. It makes a huge difference when your space feels cozy and yours. Many of the baskets we own are thrifted and cost very little.

I also love clear storage options. Personally, I like seeing what I am storing. I am not a huge fan of labels and dark boxes. I try to keep storage to a minimum because I believe that if I am storing away, then that means its not really being used, so what is the point of keeping. I am a minimalist that way.

We use these clear, stackable boxes that latch securely for indoor and outdoor toy rotations. On the large boxes, we store toys like animals, cars, Legos, wooden building blocks, magnetic tiles, play kitchen toys, instruments, and more. I find them to be the perfect size. Not too small not too big for a storage cabinet. The medium boxes we use to store play silks, small pretend play toys, tree blocks, and other toy sets that are smaller in quantity or size.

To finalize the round up, we have the smaller clear bins from the same brand we use for storing smaller items in our overhead cabinet. Like loose parts, small figurines, arts and crafts supplies, and small sensory materials. These are also wonderful and super versatile.

I love all these boxes, not only because they are clear, latch securely, and are great quality, but they are also perfectly rectangular, so no weird edges or dips. It’s the little things for me ya’ll ✨

Parting thoughts and encouragement

Breaking up your time to organize and declutter your toys and supplies at nap or in the evening can seem like a daunting task. I like to have a sweet or a warm drink with me when I do it. It helps me a lot. I am a person who likes to tackle entire projects at once. My husband thinks I am a tornado, so to keep our family’s sanity I am working on this! So let’s do this together and tackle little projects one day at a time.

If you read this blog post all the way through, that means you really care about your children’s spaces. I want to remind you that you are doing great.

My super helpful (+free!) guide over 100 parents have downloaded already.

If you are ready to take the step in creating a cozy, and calm play spot for your child, you can download my free Cozy Play Space Guide. It’s there for you, and has helped over 100 parents figure out how their children interact with their play spaces and how they can maximize what they already have to set up a calm, and comforting spot in their home.