Toys - This is what I had planned, BUT...

[BloominRoses]

After reading all of this, I'm starting to wish there was a way to have a BB 'toy exchange' so that we can get rid of those toys our children never play with and receive something 'new' for our child/ren in return. Once the recepient was 'over' the new toy, then we can donate them to the Salvos etc.

At least for someone like me when the temptation struck to splash out on something plastic, we wouldn't be spending a fortune for something our child may not even like.

I realise it's probably not feasible on here but I'm off to search for something of the same nature. If I don't find a place who already does this, I seriously think I'm going to start this on my own. Less money wasted, less landfill created, children are still happy.

But thank you everyone so far for giving me some creative ideas for both gifts and solutions to buy/use in the upcoming months when DS starts to get more active.

[Jennifer13]

BR, I joined Freecycle (it's a yahoo group, but part of a global movement). Whenever someone is getting rid of something they advertise it on there, for free. And if you really want/need something, that's also a place to post an ad.

Most of the unnecessary stuffed toys and other bits and pieces that aren't broken and aren't worth keeping from DD go on Freecycle to someone who is usually all to grateful to give them a home.

It's also where we picked up DD's sandpit, outdoor climbing house, doll house + accessories, some clothes, not to mention the fish tank, furniture for our spare room and the play room. I could go on and on...! I've given away probably about an equal amount of stuff in return!

[BloominRoses]

BR, I joined Freecycle (it's a yahoo group, but part of a global movement). Whenever someone is getting rid of something they advertise it on there, for free. And if you really want/need something, that's also a place to post an ad.

Most of the unnecessary stuffed toys and other bits and pieces that aren't broken and aren't worth keeping from DD go on Freecycle to someone who is usually all to grateful to give them a home.

It's also where we picked up DD's sandpit, outdoor climbing house, doll house + accessories, some clothes, not to mention the fish tank, furniture for our spare room and the play room. I could go on and on...! I've given away probably about an equal amount of stuff in return!

Oh my gosh - this is exactly what I was looking for!! How absolutely awesome. I'm going to look into to joining it now!

[Jennifer13]

You can find your group through this website: The Freecycle Network

[anney]

We have a small extended family and DD was not given much plastic at all. I joined a toy library to get variety if needed and so that we did not have to store heaps of stuff. I found, and it is still true to an extent, that dd played with something for a few days and then was not interested. I totally agree with the article and think it is possible to do. DD is 7 now and her faves are a teddy bear she made herself and a giant box that we bought a new appliance in and she insists on keeping in her room as a cubby.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Ain't it odd? I love the magnets, duplo, brio, wooden dominos, jigsaws, wooden blocks, knitted sheep etc. Mum gets DS plastic crap, like a toy camera which doesn't take pictures, just makes a noise.

I buy Niece books and spirograph and science-museum branded making toys... and SiL isn't happy. She likes a mountain of plastic tat.

In my mum's attic there's one black bin-bag full of soft toys, plastic toys and things DS has outgrown. (I have a small amount of "nice" baby toys here, which DS still loves!) I'm going to have to add to it soon. Some toys he received as a baby he STILL plays with of his own account (his godmother buys the greatest toys!) and others he ignores completely and always has.

Having said that, he does have a FP little people train set too. This comes out for one weekend every ~3 months and he is bored of it after that. Wooden train set (brio) - keeps him happy for years.

Thanks for inspiring me to re-cull the toys! I can think of a few I want to hide then throw away once I'm sure DS isn't going to nag for them. Wait until next week though - then I can insta-cull some of the birthday crap. I can't believe my mother is buying him MORE tools: he has plastic tools, wooden tools, PiL are buying him a tool workshop thing... and she's gone out and got MORE when I just said "money for him please, his trust fund is a bit low".

Although I will never get DS his first bike now: my sister did that for Christmas. Thomas-branded (eugh!) and even with the seat as low as possible he still can't reach the pedals. So much for me picking the big things!

[HollyC]

I have toys that I put away at christmas and last birthday that still haven't come out. DD's birthday is coming up again in less than a month. She really doesn't need anything, but I know she will be given all sorts of stuff. I will have to think of things to ask for that aren't toy related.

It was my nephews 1st birthday recently and I asked SIL if she wanted something non toy related. They have a small house and he got some large presents for xmas. I think she thought it a bit strange, but she did say that he could do with a back pack.

Anyway, I'm hoping this thread has inspired me to sort out all the toys we have. It was one of the things I wanted to do before this next baby is born. Kids don't need a lot of stuff and it just makes my house untidy.

[CrazyLady]

We mostly make sure that we get toys that are constructive. I have one of those 20 liter tubs with wheels half full of blocks and a couple of soft toys. Charlie prefers to go outside most of the time and just watch what's happening. DP and I did get her a playmat at about 4 weeks old to encourage tummy time because she'd get grumpy but after we put her on the mat she was too distracted to be grumpy.

So we go to east coast for christmas and well............... rellies get her toys and toys and more sodding toys. By Christmas lunch Charlie is so overstimulated and cranky and the rellies are shoving MORE TOYS in her face.

My parents made sure they didn't get charlie toys but deposited money in a bank account for her 18th which they'll add a little each birthday and Christmas.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

I'll second CrazyLady on that. DS refused to open any gifts on Boxing Day because he had been all "presented out" on Christmas Day. It took him 5 days to open all the sodding toys! I did tell everyone that I like books for him and trust fund money. I did ask mum for his kitchen set, which she got. But I wish she'd stopped at that!