Almost every child in the world has a favorite toy or two. But all kids eventually grow up and leave their toys behind in storage to collect dust, never to be seen or touched again. With that said, what should you do to your old toys instead of stockpiling them in some dark corner of your house?
There are a few ways to give a new life to your old toys. If you have no clue where to begin, keep reading to find out:
- Donate Them
This idea is a no-brainer, and it’s the go-to plan for most people. A lot of old toys usually find their way to charities and schools. So, if you’ve got a whole box of toys that are still in good condition from your childhood, you could donate some or all of them.
Search around for local charities in your area or look for volunteer groups that offer home pickup services for donations. Just make sure that you wash the toys before sending them away. You can donate stuffed animals to charity, too, if you’ve cleaned them thoroughly. Plushies tend to collect lots of dust over time and can be dangerous to young kids’ health if not properly washed.
Whether you drop off the toys yourself or get them picked up, don’t forget to pack them in sturdy boxes. That way, they can stay clean and intact going to their destination.
- Sell Them
Another way you can dispose of old toys is to sell them. If you’ve been to a garage sale before, you may have noticed a bunch of pre-loved toys in bins on sale. If you have the time, you can set up your garage sale, too. You’ll never know who in your neighborhood is looking for a particular old toy that happens to be in your possession.
Speaking of which, crosscheck your old toys with collection listings on the Internet. Many old toys are no longer in production, becoming rare and valuable to some toy collectors. You might have something that’s being sold for a higher price because of its rarity. That said, you could earn a lot of money by selling that one toy alone.
- Repurpose Them
It’d be good to note that not all of your old toys are still in tiptop shape decades later. While you’ve donated your better-quality toys, your less-than-perfect ones are still with you. Instead of throwing these away, why not turn them into something else? An art project, perhaps.
For instance, you might have a set of old plastic animal figurines lying around. Try sticking one on the underside of a jar lid and fill the jar with water, glycerol, and glitter or sequins to create an animal snow globe. Or get some spray paint and coat the figurines with an even coating of silver or gold paint to turn them into keychains. To secure them properly, you can check out this guide on gluing plastic perfectly.
- Swap Them
If you’ve still got some toys in storage after doing the first three methods, try holding a toy swap meet. You can do this with your neighbors, nearby schools, or any local community groups in your area.
This activity can be enjoyable if you’re a parent. The kids in your child’s class get to enjoy seeing a new pile of toys that they can pick and swap. Allow your child to bring their bag of toys they no longer want to play with, so they can trade with a classmate. They might’ve been eyeing their friend’s toy, and if their friend brings it along, they can swap toys. Your child gets the toy they want while you won’t need to buy a new one anymore.
- Give Them As Hand-Me-Downs
Last but not least, your other option to deal with old yet still in good condition toys is to give them to your young nephews and nieces. Or perhaps, you might have friends or relatives with babies on the way.
Giving hand-me-down toys to younger children in your family can be a great way to declutter your storage space, as well as repurpose them. Although, it’d be good to note that aside from cleaning the toys thoroughly, you might need to ensure that the toy is age-appropriate, especially for young infants or toddlers.
Old Toys, New Life
The toys from your childhood need not be stuffed in an old box somewhere in your basement or attic. Sometimes, these old toys are still in good condition, so you can give them away to someone who’ll appreciate them as much as you once did. Other times, they may not be in the best shape, but that doesn’t mean their last destination is the dumpster.
By following the five ideas above, you could discard your old toys without even spending a cent. And simultaneously, you’ll be giving them a new life and maybe even a new purpose.
