Between the holidays and birthdays, toys can pile up pretty quickly in your home, which is why it’s important to be mindful of toy clutter and organization. If your kids’ toy baskets seem to be overflowing, it might be time to do a little cleaning.

Wondering where to start? Follow these simple steps on how to clean toys and keep them that way.

Why you should throw away toys

A messy, cluttered space can create an overwhelming and overstimulating environment for adults and children. Too many toys make it difficult to maintain an organized space, which is why it is important to regularly put away excess items.

“A little decluttering can greatly enrich our children’s play and make our homes calmer and more comfortable,” says expert organizer Carrie Ypma.

She recommends involving your children in the process of cleaning things out to help them practice decision-making, organize their belongings, and learn the importance of giving and sharing with others.

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Observe the use of toys

Before you start tossing toys in the trash or donation bin, pay attention to how your kids are using their current toys. Are there certain toys that are used every day and others that are forgotten in the back of the closet? If the toys are not being used, is it because they are broken or need new batteries?

After about a week of observation, you’ll have a good idea of ​​which toys your kids can’t bear to part with and which ones they won’t miss.

Circle all the toys

Then gather all the toys in your home into one big pile to go through. This will help you keep track of how many toys your family has. There may be a bigger crowd than you expected, but this will ensure that items are not forgotten.

Sort toys by category

Sort toys into categories according to purpose and purpose. This will help you visualize how many toys you have in each category and whether or not it seems excessive. Here are some example categories:

• Stuffed animals and dolls
• Crafting toys (crayons, stickers, art supplies, etc.)
• Building toys (blocks, LEGO, etc.)
• Games (board games, video games, etc.)
• Baby toys (rattles, sensory toys, etc.)

Delutter by Category

Now that the toys are sorted, go through each category and determine which toys to get rid of and which to keep. Try to involve your children as much as you can in this process to teach them about letting go and remind them that their toys can bring joy to other children in their new home.

It can also help to set a limit for each category to set some boundaries for yourself. For example, just 10 dolls or stuffed animals or one bucket of building blocks.

Once you’ve determined which ones to keep in each category, go through the “get rid of” piles and determine which toys should be donated, sold, recycled, or thrown away. If you’re wondering where to donate your gently used toys, Ypma recommends local shelters, preschools, and church charities, along with Goodwill or the Salvation Army.

“Just make sure you’re only giving away toys in good condition—no one wants a one-armed teddy bear,” says Ypma.

Reorganize and store

It’s time to reorganize the remaining toys that you and your children have decided to keep. Have the toys sorted by category, then place the toys from each category in a designated area, such as a basket, box or low shelf.

“Clear bins are a lifesaver,” says Ypma. “They let you and your kids see exactly what’s inside.”

Ypma also recommends creating zones in your child’s bedroom or playroom, such as a reading nook or art corner, to encourage the use of different spaces for different types of play.

How to organize toys

Decluttering isn’t a walk in the park, but here comes the hard part: maintaining your new toy organization system. Keep your toy storage organized and under control with these tips:

• Build an organization system based on your lifestyle: Observe how your children play with certain toys and organize them according to the use of the toy. For example, keeping arts and crafts in kitchen drawers or a toy basket in your child’s living room and bedroom.
• Change your shopping habits: Limit yourself to just one or two new toys for birthdays and holidays. Learn to embrace the gifts of experience and encourage your friends and family to follow suit.
• Donate a toy for every new purchase: To keep the number of items reasonable, implement a one-in-one-out policy. For every new toy purchased or received, gift one of your child’s older toys.