What Did Your Kids Get for Their Birthday… and What Happened to Last Year’s Toys?

Birthdays are exciting when you have children. There are new toys to open, books to read, games to try and, somehow, the toy box that was already full finds a way to become even fuller.

But here's a question we don't often ask:

What happened to the toys they got last year?

Some are probably still favourites. Others might be sitting at the bottom of a toy box, tucked into a cupboard or packed away in the attic.

Not broken. Not damaged. Just forgotten.

Children move through interests quickly. The toy they carried everywhere six months ago can suddenly be replaced by something completely different. But while our children may have moved on, the toy itself could still have years of play left in it.

Before Adding More, Take a Look at What's Already There

A birthday can be a good opportunity to go through the toy box together.

You don't need a huge toy decluttering session. Simply look at what your child still plays with and what they've genuinely moved on from.

If they're old enough, involve them too.

Ask which toys they still love and whether there are any they think another child might enjoy.

Keep the favourites. Keep the sentimental ones. But if something hasn't been touched for months and is still safe, complete and in good condition, does it really need another year in the cupboard?

A Simple Way to Make Family Life More Sustainable

We often think sustainable parenting means buying special eco friendly products or completely changing the way we shop.

But it can be much simpler than that.

Use what already exists for longer.

A toy doesn't have to have only one owner.

One child can enjoy it, outgrow it and pass it on. Another child can play with it next. The same goes for children's books, clothes and baby items.

That's the beauty of preloved toys. Their value doesn't disappear simply because the first child has finished with them.

And every time we reuse children's toys instead of allowing perfectly good things to sit unused or be unnecessarily discarded, we're extending their useful life.

From One Mum to Another

This simple idea is part of what Let's Match Mums is about.

We connect Local Mums in Ireland who have good quality children's items they no longer need with DP Mums who can use them.

So that toy sitting untouched in your house could become another child's new favourite.

The books your child has memorised could become someone else's bedtime stories.

And the things taking up space in your home can continue doing exactly what they were made to do.

Be used. Be enjoyed. Be loved.

So before the next birthday adds another collection of toys to the house, have a quick look at last year's.

You might discover that some of them aren't finished at all.

Your child has simply finished with them.

And sometimes, making a more sustainable choice really is as simple as passing something on. 💗

Ready to Pass Something On?

If you have good quality children's toys, clothes, books or baby items your family no longer needs, become a Local Mum with Let's Match Mums and help give them another chapter.