Compiled by Ariella Schiller
Kids get overwhelmed when they see boxes with different types of toys mixed together. Buy a few large sets of specific types of toys, like Lego, Magna-Tiles, Menchies, Playmobil. When you have a lot of a specific type of toy, such as 150 Magna-Tiles instead of 20 or 30, they’re more likely to play with it for long stretches of time because they’re less limited in what they can build.
Keep like toys together in clear boxes. I’ve found that generally children don’t combine different sets of toys, like Magna-Tiles and Lego, when they play. They prefer to stick to one type. They’ll only mix toys with a theme or purpose. For example, if I put out a box of blocks and a collection of animals, they’ll play really creatively. And when they need to clean up the blocks and animals, each have their very clear boxes, so cleanup will be a breeze.
Discard toys that don’t fit easily into a category or you can’t create a collection of. When my kids come home with cheap prizes or small gift sets, like a little doll figurine that comes with a little tricycle, then unless I have other sets of dolls this size, or a box of dolls and accessories, I usually throw it out after they’ve played with it for a few days.
One of my favorite toys is an electric toy sink that keeps the water continuously coming out of the faucet. There are so many great ways to use it. Just put a towel on the floor underneath it or place it in a bathroom to avoid slippery messes, then hand them dirty cars or toy dishes and some soap and sponges. Then watch the magic: A child entertained for more than two minutes, and their motor functions are developing — win-win!
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