Did you know too many toys in a play environment can have adverse effects on children?
I have written previously on this topic, based on research from 1999. But a new study, being released early next year, confirms the original findings and continues to expand on its conclusions.
Researchers from the University of Toledo have just published a study in The Journal of Infant Behavior and Development called, “The Influence of the Number of Toys in the Environment on Toddler’s Play.” The research is important.
According to their study, young children who play in environments with fewer toys tend to display sustained levels of attention, increased imagination, perception, cognition, and motor coordination.
In their words, “fewer toys may allow for deeper, sophisticated play, because of the opportunity to become creative with each object in the environment.” Too many toys, on the other hand, act as a distraction to focused play.
The researchers point out why this finding is so important. Through play, children learn to interpret the world around them, enhancing their development. As cognitive, language, and motor skills develop, these skills form the foundation for more age-appropriate tasks in the future.
In their study, children were provided extended play time in environments that contained four toys, and environments that contained sixteen toys.
As you might expect, children who were placed in the environment with only four toys showed a significant difference in quality of play: sustained attention, increased imagination, and increased exploration resulting in improved coordination, pretending, problem-solving, and learning.
These are important truths for us as parents to consider—but also for us as guardians, grandparents, caretakers, teachers, and childcare professionals.
The number of toys in our homes matter. Too many toys in one environment often act as a distraction to the various stages of development we hope they encourage within our children.
In the United States, toy sales amount to $24 billion annually—$3.1 billion from infant and preschool toys alone. The U.S. represents 3.1% of the world’s children, but 40% of the toy market. The typical 10-year old in Great Britain owns 238 toys and the average child in the US receives 70 new toys annually!
Those statistics stand in sharp contrast to the study above. Remember, children placed in environments with only 16 toys displayed significant levels of distraction keeping them from quality, focused play… now, imagine the impact that hundreds of toys in our homes may be having on our kids.
I’m not in the business of making specific recommendations on how many toys is the correct number for your children. That’s not what I do—no matter how often I am asked to do so. My goal, only, is to raise the level of awareness and observation of the burden that excess possessions may be having on our lives—or in this case, the lives of our children.
You, as parents, will ultimately decide what is the right number of toys for your kids. I just want to encourage more intentionality around the conversations we are having about it.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t buy any gifts for your kids this holiday season. But I am saying we should work hard to create play environments for our children that encourage healthy development. And sometimes, that means less toys rather than more.
Before buying your kids a whole bunch of toys this Christmas, ask yourself if that’s really the best you can give them this year.
Sammy says
My youngest daughter has her car toll two days ago and she is enjoying the rides to work with friends . They share the bill for gas and are each time punctual but it would be best if she could have her own even if an old truck as long as it runs . I know her well, ever since kindergarten she wants her own way. So next month on her 22 birthday I can’t wait to show her the gift and it will be a good surprise . She earned it for herself and for her work . They said “spoiling never kill anyone “
Luis Zelaya says
Awesome!!!
Lori says
That has been my experience in the past. Getting everyone on board. We got a number of movie tickets and there was very little interest and attendance. Only half of the ticket price was refunded. This year we simply agree on giving away gifts in certificate. There will be left over and that’s fine.
simpson says
I wish our family would spend money on events for the kids. Even when we said oh aquarium tickets etc it gets ignored. Frustrating. But thankfully we have a buy nothing sell nothing page where things get regifted to those in need.
Tim Singleton says
Thank you so much for your article.
When I was a kid, one of my favorite toys was my homemade double barrel shotgun made from a section of table support that had two tubes and a section of wood that I sawed into the shape of a gun stock. Two screws later and I had the coolest toy gun in the group. The fun I had making it was at least as great as what I got from playing with it, too.
Too poor to have the Mattel plastic M16, it did not hurt that my friends who COULD and did have the plastic M16 always looked on my homemade toy with admiration because everyone knows that a double barrel shotgun is seen as cool.
Lego blocks and books. Those are my first two choices once she gets big enough for lego blocks.
Katie says
We don’t have many heirloom toys, so every year after thanksgiving we empty the toy room except for a few favorites. We call this “making room for Santa”. The kids are ok with it. We donate them or give to cousins. Santa brings a few things and the kids love the extra empty space. Things get added in at easter, bdays etc until thanksgiving rolls around again. It’s just our routine. Keeps everything clear and circulating.
Rob Lawrence says
A particularly insightful, and powerful, article; a firm and timely reminder why toys exist altogether: to invoke our children’s curiosity and imagination.
Observing other parents and adults, I wonder if this is true for adults, too:
“Too many toys in one environment often act as a distraction”
Our children need our attention; involved or otherwise.
Great thoughts and read, thank you!
Myfinancekits says
Toys are actually good especially the ones that make children to be creative. However, excess of anything is not good
Sandy says
My biggest struggle with this is well meaning relatives who give way too much at Christmas – grandparents, aunts and extended cousins. My kids get more from grandparents than they do from us and Santa. Even aunts give presents with anywhere from 5-10 items inside. It’s completely overwhelming. I have tried to suggest doing things differently, but no one listens. Oh well, the donation shed in our town will continue to receive toys and junk after Christmas as it does every year. I did finally find the courage to drop out of all adult exchanges this year. I fully expect negative comments when I decline to put my name in the drawing at each celebration.
Tasha says
Oh my goodness I am planning on dropping out of family exchanges with the in laws next year. My side doesn’t do it but I thought I would wait till we are married to drop out of my partners side ? good on you. And I also have the same issue. Way too many toys given at Christmas and her birthday is lass than 5 weeks later. It’s a killer.
Natalia says
I agree very much for this Christmas i am asking for lots of experiences or money towards my car fund! i actually i am going to address this matter on my blog as well. MinimalLivingJoy.blogspot.com i hope you’ll check it out