Simple Tasks - Children's Toys Week - Dress Up Clothes and Accessories

My children love to play dress up. They dress up every morning before we start school. They dress up to match whatever movie they are watching. They dress up at night when they want to dance to whatever music I am playing in the living room.

Playing dress up so much means that the clothes and accessories get a lot of wear and tear. Because these types of "toys" are made so cheaply, they don't always last a full year. And even if they basic structure lasts, I may need to remove embellishments, hem fraying pants or skirts, or toss some broken accessories. Let's break down how to clean out the dress up stash:

*Check the fit. Eliminate costumes that are too short or tight. These are not comfortable for play anyway!
*Toss broken jewelry and accessories. They can become dangerous when little plastic pieces are flying.
*Look for stains and periodically launder whatever you can. But beware - some items are intended to be single use and may fall apart in the wash.
*Remove anything the kids avoid. If they aren't wearing it already, they probably won't, and unused pieces just wind up as clutter the prohibit kids from accessing what they need.

Costume sleepwear is washable and comfy

If you want to avoid constantly tossing out things from the dress up boxes, consider buying dress up sleepwear instead of costumes. These very closely resemble actual costumes but they are more durable, and they can be laundered! The Disney Store and Target often feature gowns for girls and pajamas for boys that closely resemble movie characters. Our Elsa nightgown and Darth Vader pajamas get a lot more wear than our actual costumes anyway because they are more comfortable. Don't get in a hurry to buy though - these items go on sale just like other clothes, so when you know what you look, just watch for a sale, especially when the stores are transitioning for the season change.

Finally, be careful with costume jewelry.  Kids' accessories are usually made in China, so they are very cheap. Personally, I have tossed anything that is plastic that is made to look like metal for one important reason: these are the items that usually have the highest lead content. A prime example is plastic beads from dollar stores, the same ones thrown out at Mardi Gras parades. These beads are produced in great quantities and need to be cheap, so lead is often one of the ingredients. Costumes sold at Halloween are also cause for concern because of the use of lead and plasticizers. These can cause reactions in children with allergies and asthma.

The best thing to keep for playing dress up is imagination. Let kids create their own costumes out of old clothes and jewelry that you feel is safe. Let them make necklaces and crowns during craft time. Not only will this encourage imagination, but it will also expand their playtime. So keep it simple and keep them happy!

SImple Tasks - Children's Toys Week - Puzzles

Before

Today's task is one for kids or kids at heart because I know many adults who love puzzles. Puzzles are great when you need to keep hands as busy as minds. The problem with puzzles is that after a while, children memorize how they go together, so the challenge is lost. Children also outgrow puzzles very quickly. In our house, last year's two year-old who struggled with 12 piece puzzles is now a three year-old who can assemble a 24 piece puzzle in just a couple of minutes.


When we go through puzzles, we want to consider the following:

*Is the puzzle too easy?
*Does the puzzle have all of its pieces? (Nothing is more frustrating than a missing piece!)
*Has the puzzle been completed so many times that it isn't challenging?
*Is the puzzle damaged? (Bent, water damaged, print peeling)
*Is the puzzle moldy?

I know you're probably curious about that last statement. Here's the deal: Puzzles are made from paper, and paper attracts moisture. Closet tend to draw moisture, so puzzles absorb it. If you notice that your puzzle pieces seem too pliable or have a musty order, it may be time to toss them. You're going to notice in my writings that I am adamant about eliminating mold. That is because I have an extremely mold-sensitive child, and even a few spores can cause a dangerous reaction in her.

After

A final note that applies to decluttering any children's toys: always consider your children's feelings. I know it is difficult for parents when children don't want to let go of anything. We like for those bedrooms to be tidy. But children have strong feelings associated with their possessions. Always ask for input from them. If your child isn't ready to let go of something, that's OK! By working decluttering into your daily routine, like with my Simple Tasks, your child will come to see it as normal and not a sporadic, sometimes traumatizing event. Let your child ease into decluttering so they understand how to value and respect their toys.

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!