It's happened already this year, hasn't it? You wake up, get your coffee ready, go to your kids' room to get them up, and... OUCH! You step on a sharp plastic toy they left out. Now your foot hurts, the toy's broken, your kid is waking up in a bad mood, and you're struck with it: Post Winter Toy Fatigue.
Not every gift your kid gets over the holidays is a winner, so at the end of winter we always find ourselves surrounded with small mountains of plastic garbage that no one's going to use. You're realizing that you've accumulated a bunch of junk, which has resulted in you having a cluttered house and a bored kid.
You need a playroom detox. A handful of high-quality toys (as opposed to a heap of cheap plastic toys) can inspire endless hours of imaginative play and entertainment, keep your space tidier, and make your kid much, much happier. Here's how to tidy out the toybox and fill it with toys that are actually play-worthy.
The "One and Done" Purge
Your first step is to eliminate all of the "one and done" toys. What's a one and done toy? First, most of them require batteries. The one and done toy has to only be able to do, well, one thing. You click a button and it lights up, or sings a song, then it stops. The only thing your child gets to do is click a button. That means the toy does the playing, not your kid. Toys should spark your child's imagination, not do the playing for them.
After identifying the one and done toys, start separating them. There are some real useless toys that sometimes our kids really latch onto. Let them keep any of the shiny plastic toys that they really like, but put the rest in the "give away" pile. We strongly encourage you donate your unused toys as opposed to simply tossing them out. Focus on and hang onto the toys that are high-quality and require imagination.
The Magic of Open-Ended Play
One of our favorite toy brands at Wrightsville Ave is Maileg! These magnificent mice are from a Danish designer, and they're quickly becoming a hit around the globe. Maileg mice don't "do" anything like a lot of cheap plastic toys, but that's exactly where the magic lies!
Maileg provides your child with the cast (dolls) and the setting (furniture pieces, outfits, dollhouses) for a world that is completely your child's own. Your kid gets to imagine a whole world for these little mice to live in, use their brain, and create their own storylines and adventures.
Even better, the dolls are made of soft, natural linen and cotton, and their furniture and outfits are also made of high-quality materials. Because of this, the dolls can be played with endlessly without breaking or falling apart. Their charming vintage look is absolutely darling, and the wide variety of selections means that there's a Maileg adventure waiting for every child.
Check out our Maileg Collection.
Toys as Decor
Nobody likes scrambling to hide their kid's mountain of plastic toys whenever company is coming over, so why not invest in toys that can double as decor?
Another great brand we love at Wrightsville Ave is Cuddle & Kind Co. They have an amazing mission that strongly aligns with our own values. Cuddle & Kind Co. uses ethically sourced organic fibers for their toys, and they pay fair wages to their workers, as well.
The best part is their remarkable construction. These toys are hand-knit and built with playtime in mind, so on top of looking great, they're durable enough to stand up to hours and hours of playtime. Even if your kid loves to rough house, it takes a lot to do damage to these dolls.
These beautifully hand-knit dolls will contribute to endless hours of imaginative play, while also elevating the look of any playroom or nursery. These types of dolls don't belong in a toybox, they deserve to be on display!
Check out our Cuddle & Kind Co. Collection.
Quality over Quantity
Having a good-looking aesthetic for your kid's playroom does not mean that you need to turn their room into a museum. It means that you've curated a space filled with meaningful items that spark creativity and make magical memories.
Ready to break up with cheap, low-quality one and done toys and start curating a beautiful, fun playroom? Start here!