Home is where the heart is, and for many of us in the developed world it is also where many things are! our home environment it really shapes the course of our days (especially as a homeschool family). I strive to have a quiet space that meets my child's creative needs with opportunities for creative play, exercise, and learning…while keeping the child's toys and mess under control.
It is a big challenge.
In many ways, homeschooling sometimes seems like the opposite of a minimalist lifestyle. After all, we are trying to put a classroom in our house!
Whether you're in school or not, I'm sure all of us adults have struggled with the idea that our children need material “stuff” from us to be happy. And I have no doubt that the same things can make us miserable later, when we're tripping over toys and stuffing things into closets when company comes over.
There has to be a simpler, better way… right?
The best baby toys that are minimal and low mess
The “right way” can look wildly different for each family and in different chapters of life. Preschoolers have different needs for pretend play than 1-year-olds or 10-year-olds. And even if your home doesn't have tight space constraints, less is often more.
Here are some basic principles that have helped our family adopt healthy minimalism. I figured out (after some trial and error) what was important and what we could do without.
1. Own less
I love the classic “Dear Abby” tip:
If you want your children to do well, spend twice as much time with them and half as much money.
This sounds like good advice, but it can feel quite painful in practice if we are not used to saying “no” to ourselves and our children. We all say we want a simpler life, but when it comes to that look of utter delight on their faces when we say “yes”… how can we resist?!
I have written before about how more things the modern family has than our grandparents only two generations ago. Video games, remote control cars and plastic toys with noises and flashing lights have replaced simple toys.
And when it comes to our children, it gets very shocking:
- The average child in the developed world owns more than 70 toys, but plays with… wait for it… only 12!
- The average American parent spends $317 a year per child on new toys. Imagine that repeating itself, year after year, for a family with many children.
- Only 3% of the world's children live in the US, but they own more than 40% of the world's toys!
These are some pretty impressive reasons to reevaluate what our children really need to be happy. Chances are, theirs the best childhood memories won't get around things. Family habits will not change until we are convinced that buying more things will not make us or our children happier.
2. Limit the toys (and the kids will enjoy them more)
i want Montessori principles and we've found a lot of success setting up little play “stations” in our home. These can be adapted for different ages and abilities. When my kids were younger, the 3-year-old could easily play with a tray of her toys and clean them herself (with a little prodding from mom!). The older siblings from the 4 year old to my 12 year old were able to be in charge of their own play areas as well.
A home could never look or function exactly like a Montessori classroom. However, the basic Montessori idea of ”freedom within limits” certainly comes into play in our daily lives at home. We limit the freedom a young child has to set them up for success, increasing their freedom (and responsibility) as they age.
There are countless ways to organize toys. Limiting a child's toys to an amount they can put away and put away independently gives them more freedom and choice.
This doesn't mean getting rid of all their toys. It could mean confining them to a certain number, or only a certain room, or even rotating small baskets of toys in and out periodically.
Physical constraints like a closet or box help us know when it's time to rotate or clean up the toys. Younger children can each get their own toy box and keep anything that fits in it. This helps them to have the freedom to choose what they want, within the limits of a reasonable space. Items such as baby toys or baby toys for a 2-year-old can easily fit into one or two baskets.
3. Stick to low-mess toys
I prefer my kids' fun to come from outside (think climbing trees, running, building forts, etc.). Inside, I encourage them to use things I already have at home and serve a different purpose or skill. Things like cooking/baking, creating an indoor obstacle course out of sofa cushions, or old clothes for costumes.
I'm sure most of us moms have found some creative ways to carry one busy little seeker with nothing more than a pot, some kitchen utensils and some water.
That doesn't mean there isn't a place for well-chosen toys in the home, especially ones that encourage exercise, fine motor skills and problem solving.
4. Make your purchase choices carefully
It ends up being extremely picky before you bring a toy into your home, even if it's only a dollar at a garage sale. Liat Hughes Joshi, author of the book Child Growth: The Primary Yearsgives three key factors to help decide whether buying the toy will pay off.
These are things to keep in mind for Christmas, birthdays, or during Amazon's Black Friday sales! Before you buy a toy, ask yourself…
Can my child use this with other children? (social value)
Can more than one child use this toy at the same time? If so, what ages? Will this toy encourage active play and sharing? Good examples of toys that serve this purpose well would be a dollhouse, a board game, or a play kitchen.
How soon will they tire of this toy? (downloadability)
How creative does this toy allow my child to be? Is it designed for one purpose, or can it be used in many ways? How much?
Open-ended toys such as Lego sets, Lincoln Logs, magna tiles or silk scarves allow children to reuse them in creative ways as they grow. These will be staples around your home far longer than another stuffed animal or talking toy car.
Is it sustainable? What materials is it made of and can any part break?
Although it may mean spending more initially, having a few well-chosen quality items can always beat the piles of plastic waste.
It's less to clean for you, less waste for the environment and will have a higher resale value when it comes time to clean up… giving joy to another child. There are entire resale groups on Facebook now just for wooden toys!
So what are the best toys? I have some ideas! These are great gift ideas if you need some ideas for family members at Christmas and birthdays. Some are even small enough to fill a stocking.
The best baby toys that last!
Here are some low-mess toys that have stood the test of time for us. I have deliberately tried to keep the list short and limited to the essentials. Check out my other posts at the best natural toys AND The ultimate gift guide for more quality toy suggestions! These include the best gift ideas for a wide range of ages from babies to 9 year olds and beyond.
I'm a fan of creative options like base toys and cooperative/learning options like a new card game. These top toys made the list!
The best toys for children to stimulate creativity
Cooperative toys
Active or outdoor toys
Comforting toys
I really enjoyed this podcast interview Cas from Clutterbug how to organize with children. For more resources, see how organize the house (for us busy moms!). OR this interview I did with Joshua Becker how to reduce stress and clutter.
What toys have stood the test of time for you? What toys do you say “no” to? Please share below!
