When kids grow, they leave behind lots of stuff that no longer fits or gets used. These items can pile up quickly and take over your space without you even noticing.
Knowing which outgrown kids’ things are cluttering your home can help you clear out space and keep your home more organized. You might find it easier to decide what to keep, donate, or toss once you know what usually causes the biggest mess.
Sort outgrown clothes and pack away or donate immediately
You’ll want to separate the clothes your kids have outgrown into piles right away. One pile should be for clothes to keep, but pack those neatly in bins or bags. The other pile is for donating or passing on to friends.
Donating clothes fast helps clear your space and makes the whole process easier. Don’t wait—sort and move items out as soon as possible.
Involve kids in choosing which toys to keep or give away
You can make decluttering easier by letting your kids pick which toys to keep. Ask them to choose a set number of favorites. This helps them feel in control and less upset about letting things go.
You can also suggest donating their extras to other kids, which teaches kindness. Make it fun by turning it into a game or planning a small reward afterward.
Create designated bins for outgrown shoes and accessories
You can start by picking a few bins or baskets just for shoes and accessories your kids no longer use. This keeps everything in one place and makes it easy to sort later.
Label each bin so you know exactly what’s inside. When it’s time to donate, recycle, or toss items, you won’t have to dig through a big pile. This simple step helps keep your home tidier.
Donate gently used items to local charities or Once Upon A Child
You can give your outgrown kids’ clothes, toys, and gear to local charities. They often accept items that are still in good shape. This helps others and clears space in your home.
Once Upon A Child buys gently used kids’ items. You can bring in clothes and toys your child no longer uses and get some cash in return. It’s an easy way to recycle and make a little money.
Set a deadline for family to claim any sentimental items
Give your family a clear deadline to pick out the sentimental things they want to keep. This helps you avoid holding onto items forever.
Let them know that after the deadline, unclaimed items will be donated, stored, or tossed. Having a timeline makes it easier for everyone to decide and helps you clear space faster.
Regularly review kid’s drawers and shelves to prevent pile-ups
You should check your kid’s drawers and shelves often. Taking things out and sorting through them helps spot outgrown items.
Keep only what fits in a set space like a drawer or bin. This stops clutter from building up. Using drawer dividers can make it easy to keep small things tidy. It also makes cleaning faster next time.
Keep a small rotating stash of favorite toys to limit clutter
You don’t need to keep all your child’s toys out at once. Pick a few favorites to use for a while.
Rotate these toys every week or two. This keeps playtime fresh and stops toys from piling up everywhere. Storing the rest out of sight helps reduce mess and makes tidying up easier. It also helps your child focus on fewer toys at a time.
Use labeled storage bins to separate clothes by size or season
You can keep outgrown clothes tidy by using plastic bins with lids. Label each bin by size or season so you know exactly what’s inside without digging around.
Stacking these bins saves space and keeps everything organized. This way, you find clothes faster and reduce clutter in your home.
Turn old clothes into rags or craft materials
You can cut old clothes into small pieces and use them as cleaning rags. This helps reduce waste and saves money on paper towels.
If you enjoy crafts, fabric scraps are great for projects like patchwork or making simple toys. You don’t need perfect pieces—just whatever you have on hand. This is a simple way to give new life to clothes your kids have outgrown.
Host a swap party with other parents for toys and clothes
You can clear out toys and clothes by swapping with other parents. Find a spot with enough room so everyone can move around and check items easily.
Set up tables or racks to display things, and maybe have snacks for a fun vibe. Leftover items can be donated to charity to help others.