Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Could you throw a cuddly toy in the bin?

36 replies

mimblewimble · 12/01/2025 09:44

I can't do it. I have to give them to charity shops and hope/pretend they'll find a new home. That's the only way my (teenage) children will ever agree to get rid of any too. I know it's illogical!

Does anyone else feel very attached to their kids' soft toys?

(To be clear, while I do have one very old and tatty teddy I've kept from my childhood, I'm talking about the children's toys here.)

OP posts:
GroovyChick87 · 12/01/2025 09:56

Yes I have done plenty of times. I will donate to the school fairs if in good condition but I have 4 kids in a small house and I can't keep everything. Certain ones I will never throw away.

FilthyforFirth · 12/01/2025 09:53

I thought charity shops didnt accept cuddly toys?! I have so many my boys dont want anymore that aren't sentimental (we have a massive family and they honeslty have loads, we keep their faves obviously!) and would love to get rid!

Benby · 12/01/2025 09:51

We bring ours to dogs trust for the puppies to have when they have no mammy to mind them. Well that's what I tell the kids but they give them to all the dogs as play toys

zaxxon · 12/01/2025 09:50

I did it once to one of my old toys. This was about five years ago and I still feel a bit guilty. RIP Owly 💔

HoraceCope · 12/01/2025 09:50

dinky cars, train sets, dolls house, in the attic
books donated,
teddies, donated

modgepodge · 12/01/2025 09:49

StillAtTheRestaurant · 12/01/2025 09:47

Nope! I can't even give them to charity shops as my friend buys cuddly toys from charity shops for her dog who eventually chews them to pieces. I don't want ours to suffer a similar fate! So all the cuddly toys still live here and probably always will.

My friend did this with her own kids cuddly toys when they were teenagers! Kids didn’t seem bothered, I couldn’t bare to watch!!

GretchenWienersHair · 12/01/2025 09:49

I’m the same! I have two bin bags in my storage cupboard full of DD’s and DS’s, and another one in my mum’s loft full of my own childhood teddies which I have asked her not to throw away 😄

AllstarFacilier · 12/01/2025 09:49

I can’t bun anything that’s suitable for a charity shop, I hate the thought of adding to landfill.

JMSA · 12/01/2025 09:48

If they were in good, clean condition and with the CEC label attached, I would always donate them to charity.

StillAtTheRestaurant · 12/01/2025 09:47

Nope! I can't even give them to charity shops as my friend buys cuddly toys from charity shops for her dog who eventually chews them to pieces. I don't want ours to suffer a similar fate! So all the cuddly toys still live here and probably always will.

TangerineClementine · 12/01/2025 09:46

Haha I know what you mean OP! I'm usually very good and pretty ruthless at decluttering, but there's a basket of cuddly toys on the landing that have been untouched for years (my youngest is 15yo) and I can't bring myself to throw them out!

Swipe left for the next trending thread