5 Things to Toss from Your Kids’ Room Now to Win at Conscious Parenting

Enter conscious parenting, where decluttering isn’t just about reclaiming floor space! It’s about creating a calm, functional, and sustainable environment for your little ones while shielding parents from going bananas every time they cross the border into the kids’ territory. 

We’re not being subtle about the solution, either. Here are five things you can toss (or swap!) immediately to lighten the load and breathe life back into their space!

1. Broken Toys Nobody’s Fixing

You know the ones - headless dolls, cars with three wheels, or that once-beloved action figure missing both arms. If it’s been in the “fix-it” pile longer than your last Netflix binge, it’s time to, in the wise words of Princess Elsa, let it go (oops, is it stuck in your head now?).

Eco-conscious parenting is all about reducing waste, so while dramatically tossing stuff is fun, consider recycling toys at Big W utilising the Toys for Joy program or being responsible for plastics in other ways - here’s how. 

2. Clothes They’ve Outgrown

We get it - that tiny jumper holds so many memories. But let’s be real: it’s taking up prime drawer real estate, all while it could have been enjoyed by another adorable munchkin. 

Pass those second-hand goodies onto a toy swapping app like Sassybae or donate them to families in need. Another creative idea for the most sentimental (and crafty) of our kind is upcycling some pieces, especially those with rips and stains and therefore disqualified from donating, into a memory item such as a plush toy or a quilt. Someone can even make them for you! 

Trust us, it’s all worth it. Keeping your kids’ wardrobe manageable means less time searching for matching socks and more time for morning cuddles!

3. Forgotten Party Favors and Trinkets

Ah, the collection of plastic treasures your kids bring home from every birthday party ever. Most of these end up broken, forgotten, or worse - underfoot. 

Instead of letting these trinkets pile up, deal with them accordingly - and then teach your kids to prioritise sustainable living by approaching your own celebrations more sustainably. You can’t control others’ actions, but you can surely lead by a positive example!

4. Art Projects Galore

Every masterpiece feels like a Picasso at first, but let’s face it - you can’t keep everything. Select a few standout pieces to frame or store in a memory box, then snap a photo of the rest, even make them into a photobook…and say goodbye. 

It may seem a bit sad - but as a whole, teaching your kids to be selective with keepsakes is a vital part of eco-conscious parenting.

Bonus tip: upcycle some of the paper for DIY crafts or note-taking! Some families even use them as upcycled gift wrapping paper, which is rather wholesome in our opinion.

5. Duplicates and Toys They’ve Outgrown

Does your kid really need three identical teddy bears, or those baby rattles they haven’t touched in years? 

Ditch the duplicates and retire toys that have served their time. Get together with your besties and swap them for other second-hand toys that match their current interests, or donate them to create space for something new - whatever you do, the best time to take action is now!

Decluttering your kids’ room isn’t just about the looks - it’s about fostering focus, creativity, and mindfulness. A clutter-free space helps kids thrive, whether they’re playing, reading, or just relaxing. Plus, it’s a chance to teach them valuable life lessons about gratitude, sharing, and the circular economy.

As a parent, it can be overwhelming to tackle the chaos, but breaking it down into manageable steps (like this list!) makes the process easier - and even, dare we say, kinda fun. When you involve your kids in sorting their belongings, you’re empowering them to make decisions and showing them the value of giving back. Whether you’re donating, swapping, or recycling, you’re contributing to a bigger movement of eco-conscious parenting.

Looking for an easy way to declutter and refresh your home? Sassybae makes it simple with tools to swap, donate, and connect with other families who share your sustainable values. Us founders do a happy dance each time someone rehomes their stuff through Sassybae, too (dance not included for aesthetic reasons) - we look forward to seeing you on the platform!