Bust Toy Boredom

If there’s one universal sentence children speak that can tweak our parental nerves it’s “I’m bored” (insert eye roll, heavy sigh and whiney voice). Our children are inundated with an abundance of toys and electronics, which can all add up to too much of a good thing and leave them in a perpetual cycle of boredom. If you’ve noticed the quality of your kids’ playtime being hindered by their quantity of toys, it may be time to simplify and organize your way to a more engaging play environment. Follow these five easy steps to bust out of toy boredom.

• Take Inventory. Set aside a few kid-free hours at home and grab a trash bag, donation box and a great deal of courage and determination, because step one is all about focus. Anything that is broken, missing pieces, unused or not age-appropriate goes into the trash or donation box. Overland Park mom and home organizer Natalie Bohn suggests, “After Christmas and birthdays is the perfect time to organize; kids are excited about their new toys and more willing to donate their old ones.” 
• Ditch the Toy Box. Toy baskets or boxes can make clean up easier, but they also encourage dumping and dabbling. Kiddos dump out toys and dabble in play without becoming involved in the activity long enough to get real creativity flowing. Separate out toys and store them in small, clear containers for easy viewing. Bohn recommends, “Think vertically. There are a lot of organization products out there, but you can’t beat shelves and clear bins.”
• Toy Rotation. Try keeping no more than three interactive toys available at one time and storing the rest out of sight. Place seasonal or age specific toys in specified bins for easy future access. Then, designate a weekly or monthly date to rotate toys in and out of the play area. Clutter and chaos love to creep into our lives, stealing our peace of mind. So while rotating toys, be intentional about asking yourself whether this toy serves a purpose for your child. If not, it may need to be stored away for a short time or removed from your home altogether. Fresh toys and engaged children make rotation day something the whole family can celebrate!
• Host a Toy Swap. Toy swaps provide budget and environmentally friendly opportunities for trading used toys out for fresh ones. Depending on the group size and manner of trade, they can be as simple or complex as you choose. Establishing simple ground rules beforehand, like location of displayed toys and order of trade, help to ensure a smooth event. Finally, decide beforehand if unclaimed toys will be returned to owners or donated to local charities like the Salvation Army, located at 14211 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park, or City Union Mission (www.CityUnionMission.org).
• Have fun. Change is difficult, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. As the parent, you set the tone for change with a positive outlook and encourage your children to do the same.  Keep your end goal in mind and enjoy the journey toward ending toy boredom.

Jena Meyerpeter is mom to three daughters who often suffer from acute toy boredom in Lenexa.