Think Outside The Toy Box®

Standing in a sea of toys while your child complains of boredom might be one of modern parenting's greatest ironies. If you've ever wondered why expensive toys sit forgotten while your child gravitates toward screens, this episode reveals the surprising truth: your storage solutions might be the problem.

I share my personal breaking point as both a parent and professional toy reviewer when I realized our carefully organized toy bins were working against us. The revelation came when I noticed three critical patterns: our toys were hidden away making them easy to forget, many toys did all the work leaving kids passive observers, and too many options in one space created decision paralysis rather than inspired play.

The solution isn't buying more containers or implementing complex rotation systems. "Thinking outside the toy box" means fundamentally rethinking how we integrate play into our homes. Through four simple strategies—prioritizing creative toys, using open shelving instead of closed bins, distributing play opportunities throughout your home, and making screens less accessible than toys—you can transform not just your space but your child's play skills. This approach doesn't just reduce clutter; it nurtures independence, creativity, and deeper engagement with toys you already own.

Ready to try a different approach? This episode offers practical, immediate changes you can implement today to create play spaces that work for both parents and children. Because the best toys aren't hidden in bins, and the best play doesn't just happen in one room.

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Episode Transcript

Charlene (00:00):
Have you ever walked around your house trying not to
step on Lego pieces and thought,oh, there has to be a better
way?
Trust me, there definitely is.
Welcome to the PlayroomChronicles podcast, where toys
spark imagination, learning andindependent play.
I'm Sharnley Deloach, a toy andplay expert, but a mom just
like you, navigating buildingblocks, puzzle pieces and snack

(00:21):
crumbs every day, ever wonderedwhich toy will actually get
played with or how do I keep mychild engaged without a screen?
You're in the right place.
From ready-day rescues toskill-building superstars, this
is your go-to for honest toyrecommendations, real talk and
play ideas that work, ready toturn chaos into creativity one
toy at a time, then.

(00:42):
Welcome to the PlayroomChronicles podcast.
To creativity, one toy at atime, then.
Welcome to the PlayroomChronicles podcast.
Welcome back to the PlayroomChronicles podcast, and I am so
glad you're here today becauseI'm sharing something I deeply
believe in what it means toquote.
Think outside the toy box.
Let's be honest.
Toys are taking over our homes.
They're spilling out of bins orunder couches, they're filling
every corner, and then sometimeswe buy more toys helping their

(01:05):
entertain our kids, but insteadthey often end up forgotten,
tossed aside or replaced byscreens.
It's exhausting and the clutterfeels endless.
And in fact a few years ago Ieven reached my breaking point,
and that is saying something asa parent and as a professional
toy reviewer.
But I stood surrounded by toys,tired from constantly trying to

(01:25):
pick up after my kids and keepthem busy, and I realized three
things.
First, our toys were hiddenaway in bins and baskets, making
them easy to forget.
Second, many of our toys didall the work for the kids.
They would just sit back andwatch, quickly getting bored and
then always looking forsomething new.
And third, having too many toyspacked into one playroom was

(01:50):
overwhelming.
They had too many options inone spot, making it hard to
decide what to play with orunderstand how each toy could be
fun or useful.
While baskets and bins helpedour home look tidy and the toys
we had were fun, they weren'thelping my kids actually learn
how to play or engage deeplywith their toys, and I realized

(02:12):
the storage solutions were goodfor me but not good for them to
build their play skills.
So I knew there had to be abetter way, and that's when I
started to think outside the toybox, which has since become my
tagline and the heart of thispodcast on my website.
Once I started looking at toysdifferently, I really discovered
some valuable lessons that kidsplay more naturally when toys

(02:35):
are easy to see and you knowaccess.
If toys are tucked away, kidstend to forget them.
Second, toys need to encouragecreativity and independent play.
Toys that do everything forkids limit their imagination and
using play prompts can helpkids see beyond what is shown on
the toy box.
And third, fewer toys displayedthoughtfully around the house

(02:58):
helps kids understand thepurpose of each toy, also
reduces clutter and encouragesongoing play throughout the day.
So when play is integrated intoeveryday life, kids become
naturally engaged rather thanviewing it as a chore or
obligation.
And once you realize theseideas, you'll see big
improvements in how your kidsplay and how they grow and learn

(03:21):
.
And here's how you can startmaking these changes right now.
And here are four easy ways tothink outside the toy box.
First, keep toys that encouragecreativity, independent play
and learning.
Think of these toys as healthyfoods right, essential for
growth, but the fun toys thatare cool but maybe don't have
much value other than being likethe hottest toy right now.

(03:44):
Think of them as dessert.
They're enjoyable occasionally,but really shouldn't replace
your main choices.
Secondly, swap bins and basketsfor open shelves and clear
containers.
When your kids can see theirtoys, they'll naturally play
with them more.
And in fact you can check outmy episode called the grocery
store end caps and you'll seewhat I mean by that.

(04:06):
I'll link to it in the shownotes in the blog post.
And number three instead ofhiding toys away in a separate
playroom, place the toysthroughout your home and areas
where your family spends time.
This encourages consistent,natural play without needing
constant rotation or cleanup.
And then, lastly, considerstoring tablets and remotes and

(04:28):
other electronics out of easyreach.
It's kind of like hidingcookies and putting fruit front
and center.
When toys are easier to accessthan screens, kids naturally
choose to play more.
So thinking outside the toy boxisn't just about decluttering or
buying less.
It's really about changing howyou view play and toy management

(04:50):
.
Toys aren't the problem.
We love toys, you love toys, Ilove toys, the kids love toys.
But being thoughtful about howthe toys are chosen, used and
stored can really change howyour kids play and make your
home feel calmer in the process.
So here's the big takeawayChanging your approach doesn't
mean you love toys any less.
It means you love your kidsmore and want to set them up for

(05:14):
success.
So this week, try these easytips.
Specifically, keep toys whereyour kids can see them and put
them in places where you spendtime as a family, and I'd love
to see what happens and hearabout what results from this.
So share with me at PlayroomChronicles on Instagram and
Facebook, and also considersubscribing to this podcast so

(05:35):
you can learn more outside thetoy box ideas with tips on toys,
play ideas and more ways tomake playtime fun and simple.
So it is your turn toconfidently step outside the toy
box because, remember, the besttoys aren't hidden in bins and
the best play doesn't justhappen in one room.
Thank you,