It’s been months since the Christmas gifts have been scattered to the four winds.  Time to muck out the playroom.  I think everyone’s spring cleaning right now. I was just tweeting with a friend about getting rid of too many toys.

What’s the best way to winnow down the toys?  I recently read of one mommyblogger who took away all electronic entertainment, all plastic toys, tossed things with lots of parts, and for a grand finale, dumped all of the puzzles and games, too.  She doesn’t allow the children unfettered access to art supplies, paper, scissors, or crayons, either.

On the other end of the spectrum are families with dedicated game rooms that look like FAO Schwartz (do they still have those?  All I know about fancy schmancy toy stores I got from movies.)

Is there a happy medium?

I think there can be, but it takes some thought.

I actually have two methods I use.  The first one is called “Desperation“, and it goes like this:

Get trash bag.  Toss anything broken.  Toss anything missing too many parts to be useful (Mr. Potato Head with only a mustache and one arm, I’m talking to YOU.)  Toss anything that came free with a meal or is based on a cable cartoon.  Throw away toys that annoy you.   Then throw out the toys that annoy your kids.  This is the quick and dirty method.

But there is a better way.

Play is a child’s work.  It’s how they learn about themselves, about others, about society.  As Fr. Medley said this weekend, the family is a “sacred sanctuary, a greenhouse of love in which children are sheltered and can grow.”  Playthings are a part of this.

And so, when cleaning out the toy box, prayerfully consider virtue.  Keep those toys that will emphasize or allow your children to  grow in virtue, and dispose of toys that do not promote good things.  Set aside the few toys that are truly treasures, then reconsider all the rest.

For example, if you wish your children to have compassion, keep the doctor kits, the vet setup, and the baby dolls.

If you wish for your children to value hospitality, let them play tea party, restaurant, or hotel.

Puzzles and block sets like Legos, CitiBlocks, etc. require patience, precision, and stillness.

If you want to nurture your child’s expression of their individuality, keep the dress up clothes, the toy piano, and doll you color on then run through the washing machine.

If your top priority is teaching community and cooperation, keep out games but wean yourself down to just one set of crayons.  Keep the Little People with their buses and planes and schools.

Quiet contemplation before purging works for me!  For more tips, check out We Are THAT Family.

(And, the Barbies are treasured, so they can stay.  The rabid rubber carnivores?  Yeah, they’re staying too.)