Old toys are wonderful things, but we must store them properly to ensure future fun with them. Here are 5 great tips to help when you are storing old toys.
Toys are wonderful things, designed to provide fun, memories and smiles whilst children hold them dear. The thing is, only a few toys tend to be forever. More often than not, when a child grows older, toys become unwanted and so they become unnecessary clutter for the home. This means valuable playing space is taken up, which is never a good thing. Or perhaps you have so many old toys your entire spare room, garage or loft is full of them. Whatever your situation, we have some great tips to help you store old toys so they don’t take over your home.
Here are five top tips for storing old toys effectively:
1. Have A Cull
This sounds terribly cruel, but it is so important. Get a good idea of the toys your child treasures the most, then while they are at school have a good clear out (otherwise you won’t be able to get rid of a thing!). Separate into ‘keep’, ‘donate’, ‘store’ and ‘chuck’. Some items will be destined for the bin, others will find a new home via the charity shop, others can be put away for a rainy day, or to be handed down to the next baby, and some can be kept. Do this after every occasion where lots of presents come into the home (birthdays, Christmas etc) and at least once a year.
2. Use Storage Solutions
Often toys can clutter because they aren’t stored properly. Use wooden crates, plastic tubs and material boxes to store toys. You could separate toys into types, or have buckets for certain types of play. Organising the toys this way is really beneficial and will help your children know where there toys go after playtime (this should encourage them to start tidying with any luck!).
3. Have A Special Place For Old Toys
For toys you don’t want to get rid of yet, perhaps you want to sell them, collect them, or pass them on to another baby when you have one, you need a specific ‘old toys area’. Wardrobes, underneath the bed, in the loft and in the garage are good options.
4. Invest In Self Storage
The garage, under the bed and wardrobe are all good options for old toys but they aren’t great because that space can be used for other items that you use more regularly. Perhaps the toys are specialist or delicate, perhaps your kids always go and get them out, maybe you have so many they use up too much space, or the area you have is not a good climate to keep them in good condition (too hot, too cold, moist, windy etc). Self storage is an excellent option if you are in need of somewhere climate controlled away from the home to keep your old toys. It is cost effective, easy to arrange, and it gives you all that space back in your home. This is also a great idea for seasonal toys like outdoor sports toys for camping, garden slides and sandpits etc.
5. Label and Package Right!
Wherever you store your old toys, make sure they are labelled and packaged right. Try to use breathable packaging materials to avoid condensation, and follow any special care instructions with vintage toys.
Remember, there is a solution for storing old toys that is right for you. Be open minded, be creative and have fun – your toys wouldn’t want it any other way!