The End-of-Year Clean-Out: A Parent’s Survival Guide to the Great Toy Tsunami

It’s coming. You know it, I know it… the festive season is about to arrive, and with it, a tidal wave of toys, books, games and random plastic things that will somehow end up living permanently under the couch. It’s lovely. It’s magical. And it’s… kind of terrifying.

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If you’re already silently stressing about where everything will go (and wondering if your house is starting to resemble a daycare centre crossed with a toy museum), you’re not alone. Our kids have more stuff than we ever did, and it piles up fast. Toys, craft kits, puzzles, half-used sticker books… it all adds up. The chaos can feel constant, and if you’re anything like me, it doesn’t exactly scream “calm and joy”.

That’s why the end of the year is the perfect time to do a proper clean-out. Not a “shove things into a cupboard and hope for the best” moment, but a real chance to reset. Clear space. Reduce the overwhelm. And (here’s the kicker), do it without sending a mountain of plastic to landfill.

So here’s the lowdown on how to tackle the end-of-year cull like a pro (or at least like a mildly sleep-deprived parent doing their best).

Start by sorting (without the stress)

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Set aside a bit of time…maybe during nap time, or after the kids are in bed (when you can actually think). This doesn’t have to be a full weekend operation. You can start small – one shelf, one toy box, one room. Break it up so it feels doable, and maybe set yourself a target of doing a small area each day or few days.

Then it’s time to channel your inner Marie Kondo. Ask yourself: does this toy spark joy… or just make me want to scream when I step on it?

Here’s a cheat sheet:

• Broken bits or things missing crucial parts? Recycle or bin. 
• Toys they’ve outgrown? Pass them on, done or swap 
• Things they’ve never played with? Regift, donate, or swap. 
• Duplicates? Pick the favourite and let the others go.

If your child is old enough, get them involved. You might be surprised by how generous they can be when you frame it as helping other kids and such a valuable lesson for them to learn. Or, if they’re a bit younger, do a sneaky “rotate and remove” move by boxing up a few lesser-loved items while they’re distracted and see if they even notice.

And the golden rule? For every new big-ticket item that arrives, at least one old item has to leave. That “one in, one out” system is a game changer.

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Where does it all go? (Hint: not the bin)

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For me, I struggled with clear outs for ages because the thought of throwing things in the bin just feels wrong and so wasteful. The planet’s already under enough pressure, and knowing that toy is going straight to landfill is enough to make anyone hesitate. So where can it all go instead?

Big W’s ‘Toys for Joy’ program is an absolute gem. Every store has a drop-off bin for toys (even broken ones or random plastic bits) that get either repurposed, reused, or recycled into things like park benches and garden edging. It’s one of the easiest ways to deal with plastic toys you can’t donate.

Women’s shelters and charities like The Dandelion Support Network in Sydney take quality, pre-loved baby and children’s items – from books and puzzles to soft toys and gear. They pass these on to families in need, and honestly, it’s a great way to ensure your outgrown items still bring joy to someone else.

Local toy libraries, Men’s Sheds, daycares and community preschools are often happy to receive donations too… especially puzzles, books, and gently used toys. Even small broken plastics sometimes get used in crafty ways, depending on the organisation. Even occasionally old computer screens, keyboards and phones can be used as make-believe offices from time to time.

For bigger things — think cubby houses, ride-ons, or that play kitchen collecting dust — consider Marketplace, Gumtree or Pay It Forward groups. But let’s be honest: dealing with Marketplace people can feel like a full-time job. If you’ve got the patience, go for it. If not? Offer it to someone in your local school or mums’ group. Often those connections feel easier and safer.

And remember: some things might just need a little love. Missing pieces? Try a repair session. That busted wheel on the truck? YouTube it. Sometimes all it takes is ten minutes and a screwdriver to bring something back to life.

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Rethink the incoming avalanche

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One of the best ways to stop the clutter from snowballing again? Rethink gifts.

Experience gifts are your friend. Things like zoo passes, aquarium memberships, concert tickets, a special parent-kid outing, even a voucher for a ‘yes day’. They don’t take up space, they make memories, and bonus: no tiny parts to lose.

If you are buying toys, go for fewer, better ones. Quality wooden toys, things that can be passed down to siblings or cousins, or toys that can grow with them. It’s the old ‘buy once, buy well’ idea, and it totally applies to kids’ stuff too. 

And don’t be afraid of going second-hand. Marketplace and thrift shops are overflowing with toys that are barely used, or still in the box. Your child won’t know or care that it’s not “fresh from the shop”, and you’ll save cash and reduce waste. Win-win.

Also, consider pooling gifts. If your extended family are all buying presents, suggest going in together for one big item (like a trampoline, cubby or bike) instead of five small things that’ll be forgotten by New Year’s Day.

Make the clean-out stick

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It’s one thing to do the big tidy. But how do you stop the clutter creeping back in two weeks later?

Here’s what helps:

• Give everything a home. If it doesn’t have a clear spot, it’ll just float around making mess. 
• Use clear bins or low shelves so kids can see their toys (and actually play with them). 
• Label things if you want to be fancy (or just use masking tape and a Sharpie for the same result, though less aesthetic). 
• Do a mini clean-out every few months. After a birthday is a great time. 
• Get the kids involved… it builds good habits, and makes it feel less like a chore.

And finally, cut yourself some slack. Life with kids is messy, and play is supposed to be messy too! The goal isn’t a Pinterest-worthy playroom… it’s a home that works for you, where your kids can play and you can find your lounge floor again. 

The big picture

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Beyond the aesthetics, this is really about something bigger. Teaching kids that we don’t just throw things away when we’re done. That our stuff has value. That someone else might love the toy we’ve outgrown. That our choices about what we buy, keep, gift or toss have an impact.

And as parents, it’s about reclaiming a bit of breathing room. In our homes. In our heads. A clean-out is more than just a tidy-up… it’s a chance to reset, start fresh, and go into the new year with a little more space (both literal and emotional).

Wrapping Up

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Put on a playlist, grab a coffee (or a wine… no judgement), and start somewhere. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to start.

And remember: the playroom doesn’t have to be Instagrammable. It just has to be liveable.