When to Throw Away Old Toys

TT;DR (Too Tired; Didn't Read)

•       Broken toys with safety hazards should go immediately.

•       Unused toys are clutter, not treasures—donate or toss.

•       Outgrown toys serve others better than closet storage.

•       Sentimental items can be photographed and released.

Toys accumulate. Some break, some are outgrown, some were never played with. Knowing when to let go keeps collections manageable and safe.

Here's how to know when toys should go.

Safety Issues

Broken toys with sharp edges, exposed batteries, or small broken pieces are immediate discards. No sentiment justifies safety risk.

Check regularly for wear that creates hazards.

Never Played With

Toys that don't get played with aren't serving anyone. If rotation doesn't spark interest, someone else's child would enjoy it more.

Be honest about what's actually used.

Clearly Outgrown

Baby toys in a five-year-old's room are clutter. Developmentally outgrown toys can bless younger children.

Pass things along while they're still in good condition.

Duplicates and Excess

Multiple versions of the same thing rarely all get played with. Keep favorites; release duplicates.

Abundance creates indifference.

Handling Sentimental Attachment

Take photos of sentimental items before releasing. The memory persists without the physical object.

Keep truly special items; release the rest.

Donate vs. Trash

Working toys in decent condition deserve donation. Broken, dirty, or incomplete items should be trashed responsibly.

Don't burden charities with junk.

Make room for what matters. Browse our collection of toys worth keeping.