if you have multiple kids close together in age

Our girls were 18 months when our son was born. I was going to purge their toy collection until I found out I was pregnant again. Now, I don't really want to get rid of anything becuase he will be using them soon..... But some toys are just to young for the girls right now.

How do you work the toy situation for your kids if they're at different developmental stages?? Pretty much as soon as they outgrow a toy, he'll be ready for it. I need to find a way to control the toy clutter, but still keep them all entertained!!

 

My oldest DS was never really into toys. So it wasn't a big deal to keep them around. We have toys everywhere and they all play with them/fight over them. As they get a bit older, you will see the developmental age of the toy won't matter as much. They play with them all equally. In fact, i was thinking it was about time for me to purge all the "baby" toys since they are all done with them (finally).

 

Well, I kept the good ones - Laugh & Learn house, bouncing zebra, etc. And he's been given a few others.

The problem I have is that no matter how I separate the toys (all of his are in the livingroom right now and theirs are in the playroom), the girls INSIST on playing with HIS toys. It's so bad that they will actually take his toys away from him. (I of course correct them but still...) The toys are far too young for them but they have changed the way they play with them. I have not figured out the solution. I will be watching for ideas.

 

The twins and Aaron are so close together that they play with all the same things pretty much. Since the beginning, I just weed out whatever they aren't playing with much any more. I'm actually about to do a big overhaul getting rid of all the misc. crap that's accumulated like happy meal toys and things that are just bits and pieces not really going with anything.