Day 7 - Large Toys {Net Zero Decluttering Challenge}

Have you ever felt overwhelmed during the month of December with all the stuff that enters your home? The trick I've found helps me is to declutter throughout the month. Will you join me in the Net Zero Decluttering Challenge?

Each day this month I'll share some decluttering tips and ideas so you can end the month with the same number of items in your home (or maybe even less!) than what you started the month with.

Today I'm sharing tips on decluttering your kids large toys (basically anything you didn't declutter yesterday).

Today's Suggested Decluttering Task

Yesterday I shared tips specifically about decluttering small toys.  Today's tips aren't really that different, but your motivation for decluttering them probably is.  I mean the name says it all... they're large!!

I was so happy when my kids outgrew the large toddler toys that took up so much room all over our home.  Play kitchens, tool benches, castles, etc. None of these are small!

Here are a few tips for decluttering large toys:

• Toss any toys that are broken
• Sell toys if they are still in good condition and have all the accompanying pieces (that's one advantage of large toys... they usually have a bit of value left in them compared to their smaller counterparts)
• Donate or give away toys that haven't been played with in 6 months or a year (or whatever timeframe you think is appropriate) - consider daycares, church nurseries, and community centers as they don't usually have a huge budget for those large toys but kids love playing with them

If your child has difficulty letting go of toys, check out this post:

7 Ways to Help a Sentimental Child Declutter

And if you'd like to get your kids involved in the decluttering and organizing process, this post has some tips to help:

Helping Kids and Teens Learn to be Organized

Decluttering Our Large Toys

My kids decluttered 3 of our largest toys earlier this year... a big My Little Pony playset, an indoor tent, and a really big truck (you can check out pics in this post: 365 Items in 365 Days: June to October Update).  That was a huge step for both of them because they never wanted to let them go before!

They still have a few large toys left each but they're in their own rooms and not in our common areas anymore.  I haven't asked them lately about giving them away, but every other time the answer's been the same... not yet.  You'll be the first to know about it if they do ;)  And in the meantime, I'm happy that we are gradually having less and less large toys in our home.

My Progress in the #NetZeroClutter challenge

I did a bit of general decluttering this weekend.  Here are some pictures:

My hubby donated a pair of sandals and a pair of running shoes that were still in good condition but didn't feel comfortable to him.  He also donated 4 pairs of socks that are still in good shape but that he doesn't wear.  

I don't even know where I got this bag from, but it's going out the door with some donations inside.  Also leaving are 2 different kinds of campfire forks.  These were both gifts that we tried out but found we like the one we've been using for several years better so we're giving these away for someone else to enjoy.  And 1 mug.  As I made room in my cupboard for my Christmas mugs, I realized my shelf was a little full.  I don't use this one as often as some of my others so I'm going to give it away.

So that puts me at -10 items today in the #NetZeroClutter challenge and -54 overall.  We had one new item enter our home today... a new stuffed animal my son bought at a hockey game to share with my daughter.  Not bad... only 1 item in through week 1 of the challenge!  

What's Next For You?

Take some time today to declutter your kids' large toys.  Or anything you'd like to declutter!  Take some pictures and share your progress on social media using the hashtag #NetZeroClutter.  Let me know how you're doing in the challenge so I can cheer you on!

Sign up to receive my blog posts by email so you get each day's post in your email inbox every morning.  You can unsubscribe after the challenge is over if you don't want to continue receiving my blog posts by email.

I'd also love for you to join our 365 Items in 365 Days Facebook group as you do this challenge!  You'll be able to share with others what you're decluttering and feel encouraged and inspired by everyone else who is also decluttering!

If you'd like more decluttering ideas, you can check out my Decluttering/Purging Tips & Ideas board on Pinterest.

So that's the Net Zero Decluttering Challenge!  I'm so excited to do this myself and to have you join me.  I can't wait to hear all the stories of how much more you're enjoying your holidays because you're not overwhelmed by all the stuff in your home!

How many toys did you declutter?  What things can you give your kids (or ask others to give) that will help reduce the toy clutter in your home?

Happy organizing decluttering!



I link up at these great parties - Check them out!

Here are all the posts in this challenge in case you missed any or want to share some with your friends or family!