Keep or Toss: Toy Version

[pinkmomagain]

So it is my resolve to clean out and update my basement/playroom to make it a better hangout for my kids ages 15 years old down to almost 7 years old.

I have many toys that obviously would only get played with by my 7yo dd. As background: She won't play in the basement by herself, so generally will only play down there for playdates (don't do a ton of them) or when someone else happens to be down there. So rarely. A month can easily go by with her never going downstairs. On her downtime, she plays in the great room with legos (the only toys I have upstairs right now), draws, goes on the computer, watches TV. While my other girls were heavily into princess and all things girly, dd3 likes starwars, ninjago, but will play with barbies, etc. when a girl friend comes over.

So I am trying to determine if I can get rid of the following (try to sell on CL or donate) or should I keep in case she might like to play with it in the future. Those of you with 7-10 yos, I would LOVE your opinions especially. I don't want to rush her through childhood, but it's hard when she has much older sibblings (heck, she knows who Liz Lemon is).

- Wooden kitchen with wooden playfood (Will play with the occasional playdate)
- A sizeable collection of American Dolls & accessories (doesn't play with the bitty babies I have out)
- A sizeable collection of barbies & accessories (Will play with the occassional playdate)
- Dressup stuff (doesn't touch)

If I got rid of the above, we'd basically have boardgames, tons of lego sets, Wii, arts & crafts stuff, nice wooden block set, puzzles.

I am thinking of getting an airhockey table.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

[crl]

I have a nine year old boy, fwiw. I'd get rid of the kitchen and dress up clothes. And I'd probably get rid of either the AG dolls or the barbies on the principle that they are somewhat redundant, especially as she doesn't play with them now.

Catherine

[cuca_]

I have two DDs who are 7 and 9. I would definitely get rid of the toy kitchen. I know toy kitchens are very popular with BBB kids, but my kids had very little interest in ours. Now that you mentioned, I have to get rid of it. I would keep the American Girl dolls. I think she might be into them later. We were just at the store today, and I was surprised to see some older girls (11-12) in there with their dolls. Also, maybe she will be into the books when she is older, and that will get her into the dolls, and that would be an expensive collection to replace.

I would also get rid of the dress-up clothes. My DDs still dress up once in a while. No longer in the princess dresses, but as Rock Stars, moms (with my clothes), etc... However, they have always loved to dress up. 7 seems a little late to get into it, especially if it is mostly princess/ballerina/fairy stuff.

Barbies, I am torn on. My DDs like barbies. They have a house, which makes their play with the Barbies a bit different than playing with AG dolls.

Can you ask her about getting rid of the Barbies? She might say get rid of them, and if she did I would not think about it twice. Of course, my kids never want to get rid of anything (whether they play with it or not), so if that is the case, asking her would not work.

[pinkmomagain]

Originally Posted by cuca_

Can you ask her about getting rid of the Barbies? She might say get rid of them, and if she did I would not think about it twice. Of course, my kids never want to get rid of anything (whether they play with it or not), so if that is the case, asking her would not work.

That's exactly my other problem. When I ask her about all the things I want to get rid of (including a Dora playhouse...she NEVER watches Dora anymore), she screams "No!" -- she wants to keep everything. I'll have to do it on the sly or say "If we get rid of x, y, and z, then we can get a ____________."

[speo]

I would get rid of play clothes and kitchen and maybe the AG dolls. It seems you could keep some Barbies for playdates without taking up too much space.

[misshollygolightly]

I'd get rid of the playfood/kitchen (it probably takes up a good bit of space and she'd be outgrowing it soon anyway) and most of the dress up stuff (maybe save a few of the nicer or more interesting pieces and accessories for random costume parties, plays, or Halloween...maybe whatever you could fit into a small backpack or tote). I would probably keep the AG dolls (expensive to replace, make nice heirlooms/keepsakes, and seem to be played with on into the tween years) and some but not all of the Barbies.

[KrisM]

I'd get rid of the kitchen and dress up clothes for sure. We got rid of the kitchen a year ago, at 3, 5, and 7. They never played with it. We did keep their favorite accessories and they do still use them.

I'd keep a couple Barbies, since she does play with them with others.

I might keep the AG stuff because she could still grow into it. Maybe select a few things and get rid of the rest. I will say my DD does not and has never played with baby dolls. She does LOVE the 18" AG dolls. So, who knows, maybe you just need an older girl doll?

[cindys]

Well, I loved my Barbies growing up and my Mom kept them for when I had a little girl.

Never had a little girl but I am still holding on to them in the hopes of someday having a grandaughter

Cindy
Mama to 3 boys...21, 6 & 3

[pinkmomagain]

Hmm...I like the suggestions to whittle down the Barbie collection. Also, the point about the babydolls vs. the AG characters. Maybe I'll get rid of the Bitty Baby stuff and keep the other AGs just in case an interest develops. Sounds like it's time to say goodbye to the kitchen and dress up....