Parenting: Toddlers

Weeding through your child's toy box probably sounds as much fun as getting wisdom teeth pulled. It's a project that can take hours and you never know what surprises are lurking in there: smashed cookies, an old sticky sippy cup and probably a slew of long lost misfit toys and pieces.

With the amount of toys kids get these days, it's a good idea to take on the task a couple of times a year – in the spring and before holidays are good times – and tackle those toys. Before loading up the garbage can, try these recycling strategies:

Pass It On
"I have a 2-year-old and am now pregnant with my second child, so I went through all of Joey's toys and made sure that I took out all the baby ones to put in the new baby's nursery," says Jennifer VanHooser, an Indianapolis, Ind., mother. "This helped eliminate toys that he doesn't play with anymore and got rid of some clutter. It also helped me know what I need, and don't need, for baby No. 2."

Passing down toys between children is one easy way to recycle and cut down costs. If you don't have more children to hand them down to, check with friends. "I have gotten rid of some of the baby toys by giving them to friends that are having babies," says Sonja Nickels, a Denver, Colo., mother of one. "I just put a couple in their goody bag of other things I purchase. I do tell them they are recycled, but they generally appreciate it, especially those who are having their first child and have nothing."

To Grandma's House
VanHooser takes her son to her mother's during the week while she works as a nurse. Because Joey is at his grandmother's regularly, she picked out a special set of toys that reside at Grandma's house for good. "I do send duplicate toys and extra toys to my mom's house so she will have toys for him to play with," she says. "This way she doesn't have to go out and buy any new toys."

If you have an in-home daycare provider or friends or family members that you visit often, it is a good idea to keep a set of toys at their house so you don't have to pack a bag each time you show up. Plus, you can have a more enjoyable visit while your child is occupied by the toys.

Consider Consignment
Check in your Yellow Pages, because there are many consignment shops across the nation that focus specifically on baby clothes and toys. Don't expect to be paid a ton of money, but if you have gently used items in good, clean, working condition this may be a good choice for recycling toys.

"For nice toys that are not damaged and we spent some cash on, we take them to Once Upon a Child or other shops and resell them," says JoBeth Cox, an Indiana mother of 4-year-old Peytan. "We usually get about $50 out of our offerings, but then I let Peytan buy something she has been wanting like an outfit, a game or a book."

Dare to Donate
One Sunday, my husband and I went to church with my grandparents, and we noticed that the nursery did not have many toys for toddlers. It was a small church with a minimal budget and was the perfect place for us to donate some toys and books that were in good condition.

There are many organizations and places in your community, including churches and hospitals, that accept and seek out toy donations. Before loading up a box of stuffed animals or used toys, however, check with the organization on their guidelines. Even though they rely on donations, some places do not accept used toys.

In particular, many hospitals have specific needs and suggestions for their children's wards. You can call the hospital or check out their Web sites for rules and wish lists for toy donations.

The Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford, Conn., requests that you donate only new toys and those that are safe and appropriate for hospitalized infants, children or teenagers. This is still a good "recycling" opportunity if your child receives a duplicate gift. Other organizations such as the Salvation Army, shelters or community centers accept gently-used items.

Be Creative
"We trade with other families for a couple of months or so – it's a great idea if you have someone to swap with," says Ivy Pressendo, a Phoenix, Ariz., mother. "When we get them back, we have a renewed interest in the ones we gave away for a while."

"One cool recycling thing we do is use her baby clothes that she wore for her baby dolls," says Cox of her daughter. "Things like the onesies, burp cloths and receiving blankets or things you can't use any more make good doll accessories."

Cox says that she saves first-time toys or favorite toys for when her daughter is older and has children of her own. "We just put them in big plastic bins with lids and throw them in the basement so she will have those special items," she says.

As the toys keep accumulating in your household – exponentially it seems – keep the toy box or play room under control by sorting through them and picking a recycling option or two that works best for your family.