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Parenting

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Original poster

Toy Minimalism

14 replies

Popsicle20 · 02/10/2020 14:11

Hey,

So I am really interested to hear people's views on this.

I have read a lot about how having too many toys is not good for kids and I am really trying to create a more simple lifestyle for me and my family.

I dont think we have two many toys at the moment but I am currently thinking of stripping some back.

My little girl is 3 and downstairs she has her toy kitchen, a couple of dolls, pram and art supplies, play doh and puzzles.

In her bedroom she has a dolls house, books and two baskets with lego in one and magnetic tiles in the other. she also has a couple of soft toys on her bed.

Does this seem enough to everyone? I really believe in the principles behind kids having less toys but I don't want to be unfair to her.

Thanks x

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HappymummyKZ · 02/10/2020 14:56

Hi, you just described toys of my DD who is 3. She has exactly the same downs downstairs and upstairs as your DD .
To me that's a perfect amount of toys. My DD goes to a childminder during the week and thus have lots of other toys to play with there. Toys at home are really for weekends only. My DD is quite happy to paly over and over with the same toys. But I do buy more 'educational' toys like wooden alphabet and numbers for her as prep for a r eception year next September.

Disappointedkoala · 02/10/2020 15:11

We have a similar amount - more cars and trains though. I do a toy rotation every 2 weeks so DD only has a few things out at once so it's not the same thing in the same place. I've got a cupboard of craft stuff as well depending on how enthusiastic I'm feeling.

Original poster

Popsicle20 · 03/10/2020 07:17

@HappymummyKZ how funny that they are exactly the same i do feel like its a good amount of toys, my DD also goes to Childminders through the week and then on a weekend we usually go for a family walk, do baking etc. so she definitely is never bored.

I do find it quite interesting through as I prefer to stick to simple traditional toys like lego and things to encourage her to be creative. Often when we go to friends houses I see how many toys they have and I feel a bit bad. She is a bit young yet but I worry when she has friends over in the future they will think our house is quite boring!

@Disappointedkoala toy rotation sounds interesting! I have heard some really good things about doing that

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newmum234 · 03/10/2020 11:14

Sounds like a great idea in theory, but my 5.5 month old would be bored in minutes without a big selection of toys to play with

applesauce1 · 03/10/2020 11:25

Have you heard of Montessori? It's an educational approach that is often adopted at home.

We do a shelf rotation of between 6-9 toys at a time based on my child's interests. He puts his own toys back on the shelf when he's finished with each activity (he's 22 months and has been doing this independently for around 4 months).

I really notice how well focused he is when interacting with our set up at home. The difference in his concentration when he's playing at other houses with all toys out is enormous. Abandons each toy within minutes.

MamaSloth · 03/10/2020 15:05

Have a look at a website called 100 toys and they explain why fewer toys is better and which toys to buy.
I'd recommend that you add some wooden blocks to your toy collection coz they're very versatile.

Caspianberg · 03/10/2020 15:57

I like this approach and will be trying with ours as time goes on

My son is only 5 months but I have noticed he is more interested in a toy when less choices. So have started only putting 2-3 toys on his playmat at a time rather than a pile

As an adult I know I get flustered almost when too many choices

Original poster

Popsicle20 · 03/10/2020 16:28

I wish I had started when DD was a baby. I could have saved myself so much money by choosing the right type of toys. I honestly have wasted so much which isn't great for my bank balance or the environment but better late than never.

Its been a horrible rainy day here today and DD has happily played all day with paints, a teddy and her magnet tiles. I love to see her play like that.

One thing I definitely can't be minimal on though is books!

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Caspianberg · 03/10/2020 18:00

@Popsicle20 - with books could you also do a rotation? So more books on a higher shelf, and put 10 lower down for them to get themselves that week, then swap.

Original poster

Popsicle20 · 03/10/2020 18:20

@Caspianberg yes I have recently replaced her traditional book shelves with some ikea spice racks to make a little reading corner. All the rest of her books are in the wardrobe to switch out. Its working really well

OP posts:

NW2SW · 04/10/2020 10:08

@MamaSloth

Have a look at a website called 100 toys and they explain why fewer toys is better and which toys to buy. I'd recommend that you add some wooden blocks to your toy collection coz they're very versatile.

www.100.toys? I've just had a look but it's just a landing page

Caspianberg · 04/10/2020 11:03

@NW2SW - www.onehundredtoys.com/

NW2SW · 04/10/2020 11:06

[quote Caspianberg]@NW2SW - www.onehundredtoys.com/[/quote]
This is brill TY

yomellamoHelly · 04/10/2020 11:54

We did this. The only time it was ever an issue was when they had friends over and they all acted like they're SO bored! (Ended up having to do things with them to entertain them - generally baking - until they relaxed into it and found ways to entertain themselves.) The only thing without limit has been books.

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