Comments on: Simplifying the Toy Collection http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/08/simplifying-the-toy-collection.html Loving simple and natural living on a budget Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:23:26 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Athalia http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/08/simplifying-the-toy-collection.html/comment-page-1#comment-19740 Athalia Sat, 23 Jan 2010 02:02:16 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=1153#comment-19740 Our kid has always enjoyed household objects - She has access to the kitchen measuring cups, light-weight metal mixing bowls, her own set of keys and a "wallet" (filled with those random membership cards, old library cards, etc), the tupperware bin, wooden spoons, funnels and the like. She also has a drawer of "regular toys" but most often chooses items above - and her books - to play with. Our kid has always enjoyed household objects – She has access to the kitchen measuring cups, light-weight metal mixing bowls, her own set of keys and a “wallet” (filled with those random membership cards, old library cards, etc), the tupperware bin, wooden spoons, funnels and the like.
She also has a drawer of “regular toys” but most often chooses items above – and her books – to play with.

]]> By: Jennifer S http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/08/simplifying-the-toy-collection.html/comment-page-1#comment-5370 Jennifer S Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:59:43 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=1153#comment-5370 For those of you like Brittney who are looking for suggestions to minimize the amount of "stuff" that flows in from grandparents, here's an idea that's especially great for the winter. See if they will pay for a class at the local YMCA or rec center. Almost all of these are "mommy and me" and babies are welcome. Most places will have a large gym-type area with large-motor things set up, and if you have active kids at home in a small space, this gets them some activity. For those of you like Brittney who are looking for suggestions to minimize the amount of “stuff” that flows in from grandparents, here’s an idea that’s especially great for the winter. See if they will pay for a class at the local YMCA or rec center. Almost all of these are “mommy and me” and babies are welcome. Most places will have a large gym-type area with large-motor things set up, and if you have active kids at home in a small space, this gets them some activity.

]]> By: Sonja http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/08/simplifying-the-toy-collection.html/comment-page-1#comment-5267 Sonja Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:50:19 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=1153#comment-5267 Right now the favorite game at our house involves swords and shields. Paper towel tubes and pan lids have been used with much success, the only problem being having to track them down when I want to cook. Right now the favorite game at our house involves swords and shields. Paper towel tubes and pan lids have been used with much success, the only problem being having to track them down when I want to cook.

]]> By: Lindsay http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/08/simplifying-the-toy-collection.html/comment-page-1#comment-5219 Lindsay Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:32:01 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=1153#comment-5219 I am not a big fan of plastic toys for several reasons. First off, many plastic toys are made of PVS/BPA products that can definitely harm children (especially from chewing on them as you mentioned). Read more about it at <a href="http://safemama.com" rel="nofollow">Safe Mama</a> or the <a href="http://thesoftlanding.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow">Soft Landing Blog</a>. Secondly, wooden/cloth toys are normally made from higher quality materials thus resulting in a longer lasting product. I want to try to avoid a lot of unnecessary waste from broken and/or battery operated toys. Many companies are starting to make toys free of these chemicals, which is a huge blessing. I am not a big fan of plastic toys for several reasons. First off, many plastic toys are made of PVS/BPA products that can definitely harm children (especially from chewing on them as you mentioned). Read more about it at Safe Mama or the Soft Landing Blog. Secondly, wooden/cloth toys are normally made from higher quality materials thus resulting in a longer lasting product. I want to try to avoid a lot of unnecessary waste from broken and/or battery operated toys. Many companies are starting to make toys free of these chemicals, which is a huge blessing.

]]> By: Ann http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/08/simplifying-the-toy-collection.html/comment-page-1#comment-5186 Ann Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:23:13 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=1153#comment-5186 Hi! We have 4 children and our house is definitely overflowing with toys. I have on occassion put toys away, only to come across them later and find that we did not miss them one little bit! I noticed that you kept mentioning plastic toys. Is there a reason that you seem to not care for these types of toys? I am concerned sometimes that the toys that we buy for our babies might not be so safe for them to be chewing on all day. Just curious. Hi!
We have 4 children and our house is definitely overflowing with toys. I have on occassion put toys away, only to come across them later and find that we did not miss them one little bit! I noticed that you kept mentioning plastic toys. Is there a reason that you seem to not care for these types of toys? I am concerned sometimes that the toys that we buy for our babies might not be so safe for them to be chewing on all day. Just curious.

]]> By: Jeana http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/08/simplifying-the-toy-collection.html/comment-page-1#comment-3189 Jeana Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:59:08 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=1153#comment-3189 Another thing that I have done with toys is to provide small baskets that my girls can return toys to by categorizing; blocks in one basket, soft dolls in a different basket, etc. I feel this is preparation for organizational skills they'll need to use in the future. It helps them know that items have a place, and if they put them in the place where they belong, they'll easily find them later. Thanks so much for your awesome ideas! Jeana Mom to Hannah, age 10 and Grace, age 5 Another thing that I have done with toys is to provide small baskets that my girls can return toys to by categorizing; blocks in one basket, soft dolls in a different basket, etc. I feel this is preparation for organizational skills they’ll need to use in the future. It helps them know that items have a place, and if they put them in the place where they belong, they’ll easily find them later. Thanks so much for your awesome ideas!
Jeana
Mom to Hannah, age 10 and Grace, age 5

]]> By: Brittney http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/08/simplifying-the-toy-collection.html/comment-page-1#comment-3131 Brittney Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:19:17 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=1153#comment-3131 AH! Great idea :) A zoo pass, aquarium pass, or science center pass! I Love the idea! AH! Great idea :) A zoo pass, aquarium pass, or science center pass! I Love the idea!

]]> By: Kate http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/08/simplifying-the-toy-collection.html/comment-page-1#comment-3108 Kate Sun, 24 Aug 2008 01:25:25 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=1153#comment-3108 I keep our toys mostly educational, and some dolls etc. I believe in enhancing the mind. I'd love for my children to go to an Ivy league college. I have big dreams for all my children. Most educational toys are battery operated. I buy rechargable batteries. I keep our toys mostly educational, and some dolls etc. I believe in enhancing the mind. I’d love for my children to go to an Ivy league college. I have big dreams for all my children.

Most educational toys are battery operated. I buy rechargable batteries.

]]> By: Mandy http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/08/simplifying-the-toy-collection.html/comment-page-1#comment-3046 Mandy Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:24:55 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=1153#comment-3046 Hello, Love your site! Thank you so much for all your advice in all area's! I have one son, the only grandchild on one side. Grandma kept buying every little thing she saw! ack very fast our house was filling up with junk. So we made a new rule for Granny. If you see something that is educational and can be used for years go ahead. If not put that money in a college fund instead. Well we have lots of books and educational games and a great start to my sons future. When things toys start to add up I will donate outgrown toys to the needy. No waste! The other rule we have is once we buy something, we get donate or recycle something. That way ther eis little waste and no clutter in the house. Mandy Hello, Love your site! Thank you so much for all your advice in all area’s!

I have one son, the only grandchild on one side. Grandma kept buying every little thing she saw! ack very fast our house was filling up with junk. So we made a new rule for Granny. If you see something that is educational and can be used for years go ahead. If not put that money in a college fund instead. Well we have lots of books and educational games and a great start to my sons future. When things toys start to add up I will donate outgrown toys to the needy. No waste!
The other rule we have is once we buy something, we get donate or recycle something. That way ther eis little waste and no clutter in the house.

Mandy

]]> By: Kierlee Shaver http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/08/simplifying-the-toy-collection.html/comment-page-1#comment-3045 Kierlee Shaver Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:56:42 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=1153#comment-3045 One way I dealt with keeping my parents from giving us more toys was to ask them to pay for a gymnastics class for my son who is almost three years old. This allows us to get out of the house and have fun, and of course I don't have to clean up! I have tried to think of educational things for people to give us (ie a pass to the zoo or aquarium). One way I dealt with keeping my parents from giving us more toys was to ask them to pay for a gymnastics class for my son who is almost three years old. This allows us to get out of the house and have fun, and of course I don’t have to clean up! I have tried to think of educational things for people to give us (ie a pass to the zoo or aquarium).

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