By Nancy Ripton
My sons get more toys in a year than I had in my entire life but most of them sit in boxes untouched. The few that they do make time for–Lego and Star Wars–can keep them busy for hours if bedtime is near, but to little to abate mid-day boredom.
Too many toys aren’t just an environmental drain. Too many toys are taking away our children’s creativity. North American children account for roughly five percent of the world’s youth population, but purchase over 50 percent of the toys produced each year. Between Christmas, birthday parties, treats on other “special occasions,” the average North American child rakes in an average of 70 toys each year. Seventy!
The biggest problem with too many toys is that children become more focused on obtaining the latest possession than playing with what they have. “Parents should try to keep it simple when it comes to toys,” says Nancy Carlsson-Paige, author of Taking Back Childhood. “Fewer toys is better; simpler is better.”
So what can parents do who already have more toys than their child can handle?
1. Create a Toy Cycle
Try putting away the majority of your child’s toys and leaving out a few favorites that they can focus on. Once they’re bored with those toys, bring out the next batch.
2. Pledge to Cut Back on New Toys
While you can’t control loot bags or stop presents, you can stop yourself from handing out a toy every time your child gets a boo-boo. “Children learn to manage their emotions only when they are allowed to feel them,” says Carlsson-Paige. By offering a reward for an injury or other sad emotion you make the child focus on the prize instead of what’s really bothering him.
3. Introduce Open-Ended Toys
Play-Doh, blocks, markers, old boxes–all of these items encourage creativity and don’t spell out your child’s play for them. It’s no accident that children often spend more time playing with the box than with the toy that was inside.
4. Respond to your Child’s Talents
Help your child explore her own unique talents and interests. Show an interest in what your child likes and is good at and provide the tools to let her grow.
5. Get Outside
There is no replacement for good old-fashioned play. Get your kids outside and let them run around and have some fun.
In her pre-baby life, Nancy was the editor-in-chief of Oxygen and Glow magazines. In addition to her journalism background and degree from Ryerson University, she has a passion for health, fitness and nutrition. Nancy holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Calgary and is a former personal trainer and group fitness program director.
The work-at-home mom now balances parenting her sons Bode, Beckett and daughter Stella with managing JustTheFactsBaby.com and JustTheFactsKids.comand freelance writing. Her clients include: More (in which she is the contributing fitness editor), Canadian Family, Pregnancy, Fit Pregnancy, and various others.
