“The potential possibilities of any child are the most intriguing and stimulating in all creation.” —Ray L. Wilbur
Toys are not merely playthings. Toys form the building blocks for our child’s future. They teach our children about the world and about themselves. They send messages and communicate values. And thus, wise parents think about what foundation is being laid by the toys that are given to their kids.
Wise parents also think about the number of toys that children are given. While most toy rooms and bedrooms today are filled to the ceiling with toys, intentional parents learn to limit the number of toys that kids have to play with.
They understand that fewer toys and practicing a minimalist approach will actually benefit their children in the long-term:
1. Kids learn to be more creative.
Too many toys prevent kids from fully developing their gift of imagination. Two German public health workers (Strick and Schubert) conducted an experiment in which they convinced a kindergarten classroom to remove all of their toys for three months. Although boredom set in during the initial stages of the experiment, the children soon began to use their basic surroundings to invent games and use imagination in their playing.
2. Kids develop longer attention spans.
When too many toys are introduced into a child’s life, their attention span will begin to suffer. A child will rarely learn to fully appreciate the toy in front of them when there are countless options still remaining on the shelf behind them.
3. Kids establish better social skills.
Children with fewer toys learn how to develop interpersonal relationships with other kids and adults. They learn the give and take of a good conversation. And studies have attributed childhood friendships to a greater chance of success academically and in social situations during adulthood. Better relationships as a child also tend to lead happier lives in adulthood.
4. Kids learn to take greater care of things.
When kids have too many toys, they will naturally take less care of them. They will not learn to value them if there is always a replacement ready at hand. If you have a child who is constantly damaging their toys, just take a bunch away. He will quickly learn.
5. Kids develop a greater love for reading, writing, and art.
Fewer toys allows your children to love books, music, coloring, and painting. And a love for art will help them better appreciate beauty, emotion, and communication in their world. It’ll also keep them away from getting used to an unhealthy amount of screen time.
6. Kids become more resourceful.
In education, students aren’t just given the answer to a problem; they are given the tools to find the answer. In entertainment and play, the same principle can be applied. Fewer toys causes children to become resourceful by solving problems with only the materials at hand. And resourcefulness is a gift with unlimited potential.
7. Kids argue with each other less.
This may seem counter-intuitive. Many parents believe that more toys will result in less fighting because there are more options available. However, the opposite is true far too often. Siblings argue about toys. And every time we introduce a new toy into the relationship, we give them another reason to establish their “territory” among the others. On the other hand, siblings with fewer toys are forced to share, collaborate, and work together.
8. Kids learn perseverance.
Children who have too many toys give up too quickly. If they have a toy that they can’t figure out, it will quickly be discarded for the sake of a different, easier one. Kids with fewer toys learn perseverance, patience, and determination.
9. Kids become less selfish.
Kids who get everything they want believe they can have everything they want. This attitude will quickly lead to an unhealthy (and unbecoming) lifestyle.
10. Kids experience more of nature.
Children who do not have a basement full of toys are more apt to play outside and develop a deep appreciation for nature. They are also more likely to be involved in physical exercise which results in healthier and happier bodies.
11. Kids learn to find satisfaction outside of the toy store.
True joy and contentment will never be found in the aisles of a toy store. Kids who have been raised to think the answer to their desires can be bought with money have believed the same lie as their parents. Instead, children need encouragement to live counter-cultural lives finding joy in things that truly last.
12. Kids live in a cleaner, tidier home.
If you have children, you know that toy clutter can quickly take over an entire home. Fewer toys results in a less-cluttered, cleaner, healthier home.
I’m not anti-toy. I’m just pro-child. So do your child a favor today and limit their number of toys. (Just don’t tell them you got the idea from me.)
If you want more help in this area, check out my book: Clutterfree with Kids.
I really understand and appreciate your points about toys. Now a days, kids learn more from toys because toys catch out kids most attraction during playing. Also kids focusing on intriguing learning factors. Oh remember, once i bought toys for kids from an e commerce store leyjao.pk and really happy with their service. I highly recommend you to go there and buy toys for kids for better child’s growing. Thanks.
Reading the words in this article reinforced the choice I continue to make for my son in relation to toys. And the strong ladies (they’re moms like me) in my life watch me bewildered.
Reading the words in this article reinforced the choice I continue to make for my son in relation to toys. And the strong ladies (they’re moms like me) in my life watch me bewildered.
I was brought up in a very poor household in the 60’s. At Christmas we were allowed 3 items, one was of our choosing, one our parents, and something we really needed. Our aunt bought us PJ’s and my uncle (who visited with me all the time) bought me one gift, and I choose the type of present. I played with my toys a lot, I appreciated them because there was so few. We played outside for hours and hours, we had to be found to come in for dinner and bedtimes. I had the best childhood I can imagine, and I attributed it to not being overwhelmed with toys. Now I appreciate everything I have, I take good care of my things, and I love artistic creativity in whatever form that may be. All of my siblings are artistic, and each with very strong ambitions to achieve something with their lives. Being poor was a hardship in many ways but it made me strong enough to overcome anything. I loved my childhood and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Even though I spoil myself, I still appreciate the nice things I have now.
When I was younger if I asked, I could have anything I wanted, but the thing was I didn’t ask very often, and my parents would often be like “do you really want it?” For example I had some jerseys and figurines from my favourite hockey teams, new piano books and things like that. I was very lucky but I knew I should not exploit it to fuel mindless consumerism.
Yesterday, I walked into my granddaughter’s room and couldn’t find the floor for all the toys strewn about. The living room was in the same shape. It literally set my teeth on edge.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining just observing. Because my house needs a lot of work as well.
The one thing that saved my cousin with her 3 children was like you said stated in the article preparing everything at night. Routines are extremely important especially for children with disabilities.
As I read more of the comments, I thought about my dear mother in law who has been gone more than thirty years. She used to buy my kids very expensive, wildly unsuitable toys they never played with. She was making up for being very poor and the youngest child during the Depression. The kids loved her and my father in law because they played word games with them, held them, and always showed them off to everyone they knew. Kids need time and love more than things.
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This makes you wonder… Do fewer toys in preschools also benefit children? If it does, I think some schools missed the memo. ;-)
What is this puzzle toy called?
I used photoshop to make a picture of it.
Its a puzzle toy, all the pieces are able to move around then we push them to where they are. its about half inches thick, big as a palm as our hand. I tried many stores but i can’t find it, and i don’t really know for sure what this toy called. also if u know where i can get it, then its great. It was a gift from my grandma gave me long long ago. I just want to buy another since the old one is broken. thanks for your time.
Very good, just love your articles. Thank you
I found it interesting how you said that your kid can truly enjoy things like books, music, and painting if you give them fewer toys. I hope that more parents can understand this as you have. I love my kids but I want them to use their brain more often so I will start to give them less toys from now on.
F*** OFF PLEASE.
Insightful.
Thanks for sharing this interesting list! I think that your content helps for a huge amount of parents. Looking forward your new article!
I was inspired by your article! I just sorted out a trash bag worth of toys to donate!
Fewer toys reduce the possibilities of children’s play. Having more toys will increase them. Therefore, this article doesn’t make any sense.
Thanks for the comment Rih. But your presumption is incorrect. Here is the research.
Thanks for the research paper.
Dear Joshua,
Thank you for sharing your ideas. I am familiar with the following research:
– Schubert, E., & Strick, R. (1996). Toy-free Kindergarten. München: Bayern.
– Dauch, C., Imwalle, M., Ocasio, B., & Metz, A. E. (2018). The influence of the number of toys in the environment on toddlers’ play. Infant Behavior and Development, 50, 78-87.
Are your ideas based on any other research? Please share this with me. :-)
Also, your ideas are based on a home setting. What is your opinion about toys at school? Preschoolers (3-6) mainly learn through play, so most preschools/kindergartens will have have an abundance of toys.
I am in the process of writing a research proposal, which will focus on preschoolers in a school setting, instead of toddlers.
Many thanks!
Kind regards,
Merle
Excellent!
My kids are grown. When they were young they had very few toys. We made play sets and houses out of cardboard cartons. My daughter had 2 Barbie dolls and a Ken because the neighbor outgrew hers. We made Clothes and furniture. When Darth Vader needed a new cape, we made one.
Now my grandsons are in junior high and high school. They can make anything out of anything.
My sister, my brothers and I never had many toys. My mother was a refugee and my dad grew up poor.
Thanks for sharing
As an educator in both English and in French with over 35 yrs in the classroom – dealing with students from kindergarten to grade 12 – I can 100% support “ less is more”. This is the difference between “ quantity and quality”.
The learning process is lifelong and nothing is more exciting than enabling minds to expand. With fewer distractions— material— young minds are challenged to seek creative solutions.
Children need to develop self- resilience. Finding their own creative outlets empowers them to take control of their own destiny.
Sit a child down with only an empty box, scissors, crayons , coloured paper and scissors. What they will create will amaze you!!
More importantly , the self esteem and pride they will display will encourage them to dare to seek solutions that speak to them personally.
Everyone needs a space for self expression. — that doesn’t require commercially contrived junk !!
I don’t like the idea of toy deprivation. Limiting toys is all right, but kids need toys to stimulate their brains and bodies. Playing is even considered therapeutic.
Thank you for championing this cause! Even though my father was a very successful toy inventor and designer, he had to agree with my mother that “water and pets are the best toys”.
I would like to see more posts like this.
zglkbot
So how many toys do you leave out? I’d like to rotate, but I’m not sure how many should be available to choose from…
Normally once a child has outgrown a toy one would give it away. What advice do you give when growing a family?
Kym I so agree! I have my daughter’s 2 years apart. I saved my oldest clothes and toys for younger. Big sis has lots but it’s hard to give away knowing lil sis can use them soon. I have made a point to stress no more toys for them from the grandparents. I even sent some to them to keep at their homes. But I haven’t figured out what to do with what he have now.
Great piece of article on conscious buying for your kids….. In our experience, buying toy for our son creates more troubles for him. In actual, he loves to play with random stuff like my kitchen’s old containers, cartoon boxes. Now we actually give thought to reason of buying if its something like puzzle in which he can span few hours then we prefer to go for it. Otherwise fancy toys are completely No no at my place. And we both are mutual agree with it. Thanks for writing
That’s very much true. My kid loves to play with soil in a pot , water and he loves in doing craft .
Quality information! I must share this with my followers
on Tumblr.
My 7.5 year old daughter will attest less IS more. When we downsized, we only brought one 18-gallon tote of toys with us. She has told me, unprompted, dozens of times, how relieved she is to not have all that “stuff” anymore. It was overwhelming for her. Too much visual clutter, too many pieces to lose, too much to tidy up and keep organized. Now when she plays it’s for a longer period of time, more creative, more imaginative, and definitely more relaxed. We love our new minimalist life. I mean, really, how many toys can a school-aged child play with in a day anyway?