*Questions of the day: what are some toys that you regret purchasing? What are some of your kids’ favorite toys?!* 😬

As a grandma I'm starting to give consumable items or events as gifts. I sort through the toys and books I have on hand and donate or regift them.

Also parents, do your stuff first! Don't just jump straight into the kids possessions. They'll see how 'easy' it is for you to clean and want the same. Otherwise they will just feel like you are picking on them, it'll make it significantly easier!

I’m so upset that my kids bedroom got so bad that I had to KZfaq how to declutter but also very much thankful that you have this video to share with us. I’m ready to get this done right before the holidays.

Your mindset on too many toys will be a blessing when you’re a grandmother so your children won’t be overloaded with toys in their home for their children

We opened a college fund for our kids that anyone can donate into so we always ask family and friends to go this route for gifts instead of toys. That helped us keep down the incoming toys

The other thing I like about when you've shared decluttering with your kids is how you phrase the question. Instead of saying, "Do you want these?" which is going to end with them saying "yes," you hold up two items and say, "Which one of these do you want to keep, because we can't keep both." I think it forces them to think about their actual favorite things, and I like that :) I'm like "ONE DAY, if I have kids, I want to remember this!" 😂

Toys that are obnoxious are on my Decluttering list too. ❤️😂

For me the issue was Recipients remorse. Feeling like I need to keeps gifts from other people that we never would have bought ourselves. I have had to learned to be heartless about it. If we don't want it in our house I don't try to see if we can learn to love it. It goes straight into the donation pile.

One tip I found helpful: start with the big toys they rarely play with: doll houses, kitchen,... i recently sorted out clothes with my seven year old. She was very helpful. I made her try on some pieces so she could see, that they do not fit anymore and she gave them away easily. Might be a good starting point too. And I found out that showing the kids how to do it by decluttering my stuff too helps very much. If mommy and daddy do it, I do it too. We still have a lot of work ahead. We try not to let in many toys. And we vote for smaller things or things to use up for presents.

"Me and the kids were the team against the problem." I needed that sentence so much ❤️

One other thing which has really helped me with young kids is rotating out toys. I moved about 75% of the toys into storage bins in a locked closet, and require a different toy set be traded in to take one out. It has really helped cut down on the floor clutter, makes it easier for everyone to clean up, and the "new" toys which they just got out get me a nice bit of time where they're busy playing on their own.

I have to share this with you as you helped me get here! I started my declutter this month and I started with our garage. It was the biggest burden around my neck. I’m a full time working mom so it took me ALL March and a total of 17.5 hours of labor (I kept track), but I’m so happy. It’s finally done. A pile of chaos that made me anxious is now an organized and fictional space. So happy! Can’t wait to tackle my next project!

I have such a hard time throwing away/getting rid of my kiddos toys. I need this video right now haha

I don’t have kids so apparently I don’t need to de-clutter toys, but I found those tips helpful that I can apply for getting rid of the stuff in my room!

I needed this 50 years ago, Natalie.😄 Excellent job explaining how to deal with this problem. 😘

Mom of 6 here. I like to declutter toys right before Christmas. I find the kids are more willing to let go of old toys when they know there are new toys coming in. Another sanity saving tip: have your kids clean their room every day at the same time. We do it before dessert every night. No clean room, no dessert. You could use a different reward, but you get the idea. It makes such a difference! No more do I stress out about spilled lego bins... that's the kids' responsibility at clean-up time. To answer the question of the day, I regret buying too many specialty lego sets... Star Wars legos, Ninjago legos, etc. They were expensive, the kids didn't play with them much after building them, and they took up a lot of space on the closet shelf. If they got broken by a little brother, it was nearly impossible to put back together. Some of my kids favorite toys include magnatiles, nerf guns, keva structures, hot wheels, and Thomas trains and tracks.

My girls are 8 and 12. They love decluttering, and we sell their toys on marketplace and they keep the money. They usually want to save it for vacation money! My 12 year old has decluttered her own room to the point where I have to check the bags she's taking out because she'll throw out anything, even if she shouldn't. She wants a clean, open, uncluttered space. Who would've thought 😂

The MACRO CATEGORIES tip is EVERYTHING! So effective. Thanks for talking about that...it made me realize just how much time I spend “organizing” toys into their original containers/sets. We started making the switch today & I’m already noticing a difference. Always love your ideas!! 💜

Regret purchasing Hatchimals! My daughter really loves American Girl, and it’s truly all she needs, everything else is just clutter! Love your advice!

There are days where momma doesn’t have it in her. Amen

you always have the best ideas nat, and totally been there.

I have been loving your messy to minimal series, and I can totally see why you said it’s like a muscle, you need to keep training it! It’s gotten so much easier for me and my 4 yr old son to declutter together, he actually makes wise decisions for himself. He also loves the actual act of donating or selling with me. I’m glad he’s learning this art early on. We’re also moving from a townhouse to an apartment in another city, so I’ve been on a roll. Thanks for making these videos! ♥️

I raised my kids 28 years ago but I always rotated their toys and we treasured books and utilized the children's library wherever we lived and even going to the local parks - so fun watching this☺️💜

Before my first was born, I asked family to limit gifts to 2 items per person for both birthday and Christmas. My husband’s family are big into gifts and this allows for gifts while setting limits on it. It’s been mostly well received and followed.

I love how open you are about the truth of minimalism

I have been watching your channel for almost a year now and have gained so much encouragement in my mom life and "tools" to tackle clutter. Thanks for honest and uplifting content--your channel is number one with me!😊

I love all your videos, it doesnt matter what the content, your videos always put a smile on my face, thanks natalie for being so encouraging. I really need that lately. All of us who watch you do so because you are so genuine. ❤

I love that you are so honest about the reality.

“keeping the item that you have guilt around or feel you have to get your money’s worth out of doesn’t put that money back in the bank” 👏🏼👏🏼 It’s not worth the grief.

@nataliebennett as per usual, you knocked it right out of the park!! Trying to start early with my two year old so I foster this relationship with *stuff* with her early in life!!! Its been so freeing this year decluttering and simplifying our home!

Natalie, you are such an inspiration! I found this channel and am now caught up from your very first video. As a minimalist myself, I’m still learning and decluttering as a Grammy of 2. God bless you and your family.

My kids toy collection is the bane of my existence! So thankful for this video and that container method strategy! I feel hopeful 🙏

You are a wise, smart, loving mother and I love your channel!!!

I haven't even finished watching this video, but you're so right. I have noticed this about you a long time ago and I admire how you approach your kids and their free time. I love your incorporation of quiet time and that your kids do puzzles and workbooks rather than playing with obnoxious loud blinking toys or having the TV on all day. Calm, creative toys are way better for their mental health. My sister's boys have mountains of toys and have the TV on all day, and they run around like crazy. There's no wonder why! When I have children, I definitely plan to follow some of your methods.

Everything in this video was so beautifully said! ❤️ And it provided much-needed encouragement to start the process of decluttering and organizing the kids' toys. Thank you!

Thank you for this video!! As I am spring cleaning the next couple days, I definitely need this video for my 3 boys. I appreciate the time and effort you put into all your videos, I learn so much from you.

Toys are definitely the biggest clutter problem in our house right now so this video is much appreciated. It feels like the amount of toys really has a bad effect on my almost 3 year olds attitudes and emotions. Working through them area by area. Also recently decluttered my wardrobe after being inspired by your closet declutter. I'm 4 months post partum and kept feeling like I needed to buy more clothes that I felt comfortable in.... turns out I didn't. I actually just needed to get rid of all the clothes that I was not wearing. I had so many things that did not fit or that I just didn't feel comfortable in. It's so much easier to get dressed now!

Thank you so much for this video! I’ve been watching videos on minimalism and decluttering so much, even started doing a little decluttering myself. I’ll be getting married in the fall to a man who has 2 girls. I’ve struggled with how to get him (and them) on board with shifting towards minimalism. I feel this is a video him and I can watch together and it will explain so much to him about how to present it to the girls, and explain my reasoning behind why it’s so important to me. So again, thank you Natalie!

I definitely needed this video! I have been so overwhelmed with all the toy clutter everywhere pouring in the living room & in their room!

Thank you for this video! I watch so many decluttering/organizing videos but I literally stopped the video and started going through my kids books and stuffies and felt sooooo much better once I minimized!

Your videos are so inspiring to me, they are real life not irreal perfection and that's great! 🥰 I started my minimalist journey a couple of months ago and you really help me not to give up! My son is 1 year old and we are all enjoying our life owning less..a virtual hug from Rome, Italy❤ thanks for your videos!

Love this video! I take a very similar approach and it’s been a total game changer! My boys love their toys and actually play with them for hours on end now.

As always, you are inspiring! You always reassure me that I'm doing the right thing: fewer toys is actually better.

Love so much about this video, especially you sharing the % that the kids help you in relation to their ages. I’m always wondering how much to expect from my 4yr old.

The varied method works! I sometimes do get my kids involved when deciding which toys to keep and which toys to donate. By explaining to them that their are other kids out there who do not have toys, clothes, shoes etc. Which helps this decluttering process without broken hearts 💛

Well said. All of it. 😂 I simplified my kid's room a few months ago and it was such an overwhelming undertaking but it was SOOOOOO worth it. My kids can find what they want to play with easily and clean up is so much less of a battle because it's so much simpler. Like you, with my first kid, I used to want to bring home a little gift almost every time I went somewhere. It brings me joy to give gifts BUT it started to not feel good when my daughter started to EXPECT something every time. Something had to change so I introduced her to a "wish list." A year later my daughter was surprised and couldn't believe I wanted to get her something "just because" and appreciated it. Felt like a mom win. 😂

Your video’s are so calm, beautifull and inspiring! Thank you x

You’re videos are so informative and you are such a calming and supportive presenter of that info. I always look forward to seeing what your up to!😊❤️

The hours you put into editing this video really paid off. It looks amazing with all of the clips you added into it.

I've been watching your whole series and you have been such a motivation to me! This video was exactly what I needed to hear! Great advice as always! I would love to hear more advice on decluttering kids toys and keeping them minimal. Thank you!!

I have been a subscriber for a while, but this video hit the most at home. My 3 year old son is obsessed with trucks and any type of vehicles (and has been since birth - womb is more like it, my hubs would play car videos on his phone and place them near my belly and he'd kick and bounce like crazy)! He has other toys but he loves trucks the most and trying to find a balance when every Birthday, Christmas or just because is a truck! We have a sweet neighbor who almost monthly gives my son a thrifted special truck over the fence and knowing where to draw the line is hard. Thank you for always keeping it real and honest. God bless and off to decluttering! 🚜🚒🛻🚚🚓

My days with toys are long passed, but your explanations and ideas are inspiration for minimizing any collections in one's home. I have needed to go through costume jewelry (my toys) and will try to use these tips with myself.

I loved that the battle was against the books ( task) not each other! Your a team that will only benefit when working together! ❤️❤️❤️❤️🙋🏻‍♀️💕🇬🇧jane

Thank you so much for sharing these tips. I adore the nook you've made for them with their own lights. I will create a space in my girls walk in closet, she's going to adore that! The container limit is something I've thought of today before hearing you say it, so it was a nice confirmation for me to do. Thanks again your amazing! God bless

Great video, Natalie! I can tell you put a lot of effort into it and it was very well thought out!

I always love how you gently explain things... And I REALLY love how you talked about the 'battle' with the books... And I when you said 'We won the battle'... I thought that was so awesome cuz most of the time it's stated as Mom is gna win the battle, or the child won the battle cuz they got exhausted and whiny... So I love that it was a battle where you and your kids were working towards the same goal

I am not in this season right now but absolutely love all your videos. I recommend you to everyone.

I think it’s really important to teach our kids to declutter with us, or else they won’t understand how to practically apply these principles in their adult life. They too can be addicted to stuff, or lay up treasures on earth.. but we can teach them the way they should while they are young. Great video.. 🇸🇿 Africa

So helpful. Thank you! It’s easy enough to declutter my stuff now but I haven’t touched toys, but desperately need to. Definitely implementing these tips when I tackle the toys!

What a fabulous subject to do a video on. I don't regret anything I get my kids as I never impulse buy but the Grandparents oh my goodness. They get a bag of toys every visit it seems.

You have such a gentle, beautiful way of speaking.

Thank you Natalie for this video. I can already think about a handful of toys that need to get boxed up. Toys that are just neglected and not played with anymore. My girls have recently discovered more of a love for books. My oldest loves playing with kinetic sand and her baby doll. The youngest loves her legos and making everyone a home, including her only lol doll.

You would make the perfect Snow White actress. Beautiful with a sweet voice! I have listened to endless minimalism channels. This video is up there with Joshua Becker, Minimal Mom, Erica Lucas, Dana K White and Clutterbug. Looking forward to checking out more!

Thank you so much for sharing! My daughter is 18 months and still has a very short attention span. I’ve kind of always used a container method for her toys, because we have a very small house with minimal storage space. She has three bins in the living room - toys with faces, toys without faces, and blocks - a small ikea book rack (I think it holds 12-15 books which is plenty for her), and a drawer for stuffed animals. She’s currently very attached to a babydoll I passed down from my toddler years, and rotates occasional interest through the other toys. Mostly just dumping them out and putting them back. I also will put toys up and trade them out for toys she hasn’t seen in a while for the “new toy” effect without buying anything new. I think we’re about to hit a developmental stage shift though. She’s expressing interest in slightly more dynamic/engaging toys, like her cousin’s peppa pig figures. What kinds of toys do y’all recommend for a toddler?

Thank you for sharing your real life mess! I love how you show even though you are minimalist there still messes.

use the container method since you've been calling it a budget of space for so long now. it has helped a lot. i love that the bin is the boundary and not me saying "no that's too much", having something else be the bad guy helps. This helped me too, I've been reorganizing things and I've had too much for my container and I had to go over it again so everything could fit.

Just found your channel and am binge watching all of the toy declutter videos 😁 been on the minimalist journey for about a year, toys are definitely the hardest category!! I have 6 year old twin boys too so can relate even more to you 😊

This is the best! I’m planning on going through my daughter’s toys this week. It’s driving me nuts and I can tell she’s overwhelmed by too many choices.

Yes!! I’ve been waiting for this video haha! I strive to be this way with my kids toys😍

Absolutely great advice and ideas! Thank you!

So excited for this! I’ve noticed my sons toy storage growing and I NEED a video like this!!!❤️

This video is perfectly timed. I've been trying to work up the nerve to battle the kids toys because the absolute mess that is left at the end of the day distresses me to no end and there are so many arguments before bed when it should just be a relaxing routine. My 4 year old is at the stage where every toy (and I mean EVERY) toy has to be out for him to play and then he doesn't even play long with it before wanting the tablet, which I assume is because he's overwhelmed, and my 8 yr old doesn't want to have to pick up the mess he didn't make (don't blame him, neither do I). I'm happy to say I've started with a mixture of the same methods you use (been watching your decluttering since you started). I have a group of toys I'm slowly taking out and is going into bags to be donated since they honestly don't break them out till I mention getting rid of the.... and I was able to talk to my 4 yr old about gifting a cousin his Duplos since he's started playing with the big boy Legos with his brother. Like you said, both methods work, just choose your battles. Thank you for helping to give me the resolve this week to get in there and make some changes this weekend.

Yes post another video on more tips on kids toys . Very helpful video!!

Would absolutely love more minimalist content in relation to kiddo. My littles are several years behind yours, but my little boy is such a little tender hearted and empathic little guy and some of your tips you have previously given in regards to your boys have worked really well with my little boy. So I always look forward to anything you put up in regards to kids, I love being able to snag little tips/tricks/advice for the future!

This is so true! The first time I went through my daughters stuff it was heartbreaking, for me of course! Lol now she wants to give some things to bless another kid. She still has way to much but we are making progress for sure.

Great Wisdom all over this video! You are doing an awesome job 🙌🏻

Sooo thankful for your honesty on don’t go get more toys and wooden I already did that and guess what my kids never even touch the wooden toys I want them to play with! 🤦🏻‍♀️

We played the "Keep or Go" game usually right before Christmas so we had room for new toys. The kids did great. Now as 20 somethings they still ask that I help them play the "Keep or Go" game; they say it helps them stay focused. Their toys and clothes are just a little bigger than they were many years ago. Thanks for the video. You have great tips for young moms.

Toys are some of the hardest to declutter for me. Not even for my kids...ME! Haha, this video is so helpful. Thank you so much ☺️ ❤️❤️❤️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Oh, my, I'm entering my children's playroom as we speak and I wanna declutter ... again! This video is givin me the itch to simplify things even more in their toy collection. I adore this feeling, when I get up and realize there's even more to declutter. Thank you, Natalie for always sharing interesting vids and transformations. Love that it all looks comfy, simple and beautiful, like I could and would wanna recreate something similar in my home.

I needed this today!! My kids rooms have gotten out of control. I’m going to put some more shelving in my kids closets this week so we can macro organize the toys that we want to keep.

I appreciate your content so much ❤️ very genuine and helpful! Thank you! I’ll recommend your page any day.

Hey Natalie, this has given me some inspiration to make some changes to my kids play area. ✌🏽

The macro category idea for toys is great. I’m going to try it out. Thank you.

Love the container method. My 8 year old son has an overflowing bookcase, they are piling up on the floor next to it. He's a real book lover though and loves to read his 'too young' books himself for comfort, so I had just accepted it but I'm going to suggest we edit his collection together so that it all fits in the bookcase!

i love the container method suggestion

Very helpful video. I just needed reassurance that getting rid of stuff was ok. ❤

Drowning in toys! Yes been there and always declutter if them out for our own SANITY❤️😊

Here for the tips even though I don't have children because they can easily be applied elsewhere! Thanks Natalie!

Man, I wish I could watch this with my husband! Especially the part about gifts and bringing new stuff in. I have trouble with getting it out once it is in our home in spite of having a donation box on the go at all times. Thank you for the tips and insights.

Brilliant tips and great for showing examples, I always love your videos, I love the book nook you created by the way

Ooh, I love it. Project for this weekend 😊

I don't have kids but you put up really great points that I would adopt and benefit from even as an adult.

Oh my gosh. I have never considered the instant gratification part of buying stuff for our kids but you are so right!! I regret getting my daughter so many different types of dolls. I decluttered finally and got rid of all except the Barbies and the baby dolls. She didn't need every brand and every type!

This made so much sense! Thank you!! They don't need to search through the misfits to find what they want.. Just like I don't want to dig through clothes that don't fit.

Wow ! Learned a ton . Looking forward starting the process with my Lil toy monster tomorrow

This is the video I was looking for!

I always get so motivated watching you!! My question would be, What staple pieces do you think are important to have in your wardrobe? I'm 18 months postpartum and all my clothes are bump friendly. I need new stuff but have no clue where to start!❤

This is the best toy decluttering video