Growing out of Stuffed Toys

Some children seem to be 'addicted' to stuffed animals. Their bedrooms are awash in them. Some kids must have three or four dozen, at least. It is understandable for a two-year-old child to have a room filled with lots of stuffed toys, but in the case of a fifteen-year-old child, that is quite interesting to note. As parents, you may have asked such questions like: When do you think kids should outgrow stuffed animals? How can they be organized in a way that is manageable? And what is the best way to convince the child to give them away?

There is no given exact age known at which children outgrow stuffed animals, but a good part of the time, stuffed animals are the problems of the adults.

As a child outgrows their collection (except for one or two favorites), the animals can be given away. Would you believe that in some instances, it is actually the parents who have a hard time giving up the critters?

Somehow, letting them go reminds the parent that the child is growing up, and away from them. There are even teenagers who have stuffed animals clogging up their rooms only because their mother will not let them get rid of them.

The teen gets tired off fighting about it, and just kicks the collection into piles around the room. For smaller children, the overabundance problem can be organized and managed.

Teach your child how to clean and store all their stuffed toys gradually at an early age. Do it in a fun and easy way. You can do story-telling about it or offer some nice treats thereafter. Make an actual demonstration on how to arrange the stuffed toys in such a way that your child understands the importance of being orderly and neat. Help them when picking up the toys. As they grow up, they can manage to do it by themselves.

When the time comes that your child's room can no longer accommodate additional stuffed animals, talk with your child about the need to let go with the other toys. Explain to him or her that there are other children who might need them. This way, you are also teaching the value of sharing.

You can store the excess (after all, the child probably only really likes a select few) in a wicker trunk, wicker basket or window seat. Shelves on the wall can provide storage and display space. Look for the stuffed animals that have definitely lost their favored spot on the bed. You can install a shelf along the molding at the top of the wall around the room. Display the animals there, slowly moving them toward the door and out of the room to charity. Read more on lots of stuffed toys.