Simple Tasks - Children's Toys Week - Outdoor toys

It feels like spring in Oklahoma this week which means we are starting our spring cleaning. My kids are used to spring cleaning. They know that we will sort out their winter clothes that won't last another year, purge broken and forgotten toys, and donate old blankets because they have grown up doing it - and they are just 3 and 7! Even if you haven't had such routines with your kids, it is never too late to start. The first time may be rough, but eventually they will find comfort in the tradition and start to see the benefits of tidy, refreshed spaces.

This week for our Simple Tasks, we are working on toys. Prairie Daughter just had her birthday, so she acquired several new, age appropriate toys, so this is a great time for her to clean out things she has outgrown. We started with outdoor toys so that when allergy season subsides, we will be ready to run out and play. This is also a great time to clean out larger items because families are preparing for the new season and looking to purchase used bikes, playground equipment, and sports equipment.

What all is included in outdoor toys? And how do you decide what to eliminate? Here's today's checklist:

*Check that bikes and scooters are the correct sizes. Using equipment that is too small can pose safety hazards. We donated 3 bicycles/tricycles that were too small. At the same time, check your helmets and pads to make sure they still fit. A bigger bike isn't much good without an appropriately sized helmet!
*Also check skates for correct sizes and damage. Those Fisher Price skates won't last forever!
*Toss old bubbles and chalk that were opened last season. Not only can they lose their potency and consistency, but they can also breed bacteria! Ew!
*Check sandboxes for bugs and other critters. We change our playsand twice a year because bug can lay eggs even in covered sandboxes.
*Check battery life in electronic toys and look for corrosion in toys that haven't been used for last summer. Batteries can leak and burn skin. If you have a toy that has been damaged by corrosion, consider trashing it to avoid further risk.
*Toss anything with irreparable damage - deflated balls with holes, damaged tennis rackets, torn volleyball nets, holey kites, etc.
*Take an inventory of how many of each type of thing you have and establish how many you need to accommodate your children and any who may come over to play. Do you need 10 jump ropes and 20 different kinds of balls?

Finally, consider repurposing those old water tables or sandboxes that don't get much use! As pictured, we brought in our water table, cleaned it up, and turned it into a sensory table. It provides a lot of fun on rainy days or days when the pollen counts are too high to go out. Right now we have colored rice and similarly colored objects in it, and the kids can't get enough of it.

Do your kids play outside a little or a lot? What are their favorite outdoor activities? Share in the comments!