OMG, that Hot Wheels garage is awesome haha! Rhett loved it. But, I hear you. That’s exactly how I felt about Rhett’s trains. They took up so much room, and there was so much stuff!! I gave him plenty of chances to play with them in the end, and he was just done with them. So, looking back, I’m glad they are gone. I gave them to a friend with 2 boys, so they will be well used, which is great.
I just did a big clean out of stuff (as you can see on my FB page). I always do a big toy clean out when Rhett goes back to school in both August, and after winter break in January. So, twice a year is what I recommend for getting rid of kids’ stuff. Pick any two times, and just do it every year. We do August & January, because August is right after his birthday, and January is right after ChrismaHannukah, so he gets an influx of toys, and then I am ready to get rid of old toys to make room for the new.
And I also recommend getting the kids involved. It is a great way to make them help you, and for them to learn how to de-clutter & prioritize, and to feel good about giving stuff away. I never give stuff away without telling Rhett first. He gets involved, and he takes comfort in knowing which friends his old stuff is going to. His most attached items are the hardest to get rid of. Sometimes, I have to give him extra time with that stuff, and tell him I will be giving them away, but not tell him the exact day I do it.
The amount of “toys” is definitely decreasing every year as Rhett grows up, and becomes a “big boy.” He likes certain things, but not as many “toys” as he used to. His #1 fave thing to do is his Nintendo Switch (we just gave away his WiiU). We still put him on a timer to play, so that he doesn’t get too addicted to it. Then #2 is Legos right now. He loves doing Legos! Other things he really likes are board games/games, Nerf guns, and arts & crafts stuff. He still likes his various building sets too. But, those are the main “toys” that he actually plays with daily. We still keep a dress up bin, and random stuff like that. But, those things get used less frequently.
When I give stuff away, part of me always gets sad that Rhett is growing up so fast and no longer plays with all his old cute toys. And then part of me is happy to be clearing stuff out, which always makes me feel lighter.
