Let’s talk about toy clutter. That sneaky beast that multiplies when you’re not looking.
You finally clean the floor, and five minutes later it’s like the LEGO factory exploded again.
Now imagine facing all that when your ADHD brain is already running on low battery.
You walk into the playroom with good intentions and walk right back out because… where do you even start?
Yeah. I’ve been there. More times than I want to admit.
If you’re a mom with ADHD (or just a nervous system that runs a little spicy), decluttering isn’t as simple as “just tidy up.” It’s a whole mental spiral of decisions, distractions, and guilt.
And if your kid has ADHD too? That’s a whole other level.
But here’s the thing: you don’t need perfection. You just need tools that actually work with your brain, not against it.
Don’t forget to save this pin for later! These 9 creative, ADHD-friendly toy-decluttering tricks will help you start and (more importantly) finish without hitting meltdown mode.
So grab a snack, take a deep breath, and scroll. You’re gonna want to save these.
1. Start with a “Dump Basket” and Sort Later
Feeling frozen by the chaos? Don’t start by organizing.
Just grab a big laundry basket (or five) and dump everything off the floor into it.
This gives you a quick “ahhh” moment where the floor is clear and your brain calms down.
Later, you can sit and sort from one basket at a time on the couch, in bursts that don’t fry your brain.
š§ ADHD trick: Visibility is stressful. Clearing the floor fast gives your brain a win without decisions yet.
2. Use the “Poop Test” for Emotional Clutter
You know that random toy your kid might play with again someday?
Ask yourself: If this toy fell in the toilet… would I fish it out?
If the answer is no, you don’t actually care about it that much. Let it go.
š§ ADHD trick: This silly test works because it snaps you out of the “what if I need it someday” loop.
3. Rotate Toys Instead of Storing Everything
Toy overload equals decision fatigue. Your kid doesn’t need access to everything all the time (and neither do you).
Pack up half the toys into totes and stash them in a closet.
Every 1-3 months, do a “toy swap.”
It keeps the playroom fresher, calmer, and honestly… more fun for everyone.
š§ ADHD trick: Less visual input equals less overwhelm. You get dopamine from the “newness” of rotating toys too.
4. Let Your Kid Help With Simple Rules
Don’t declutter for your kid. Declutter with them using ADHD-friendly prompts.
Try:
- “You can keep any stuffed animals that fit in this basket”
- “Which 3 toys do you want to give to another kid?”
- “Pick 5 toys you love the most. We’ll start there”
Keep it short, visual, and low-pressure.
š§ ADHD trick: Choice plus container equals control without chaos. Helps kids build organizing muscles too.
5. Sort Toys into Open, Clear Bins
Forget deep bins and toy chests. Those are clutter black holes.
Use shallow, open containers or clear bins with lids for different categories: blocks, dolls, cars, art stuff, etc.
Bonus: Add a photo label on the front (even if you just tape on a Google image). It helps little brains remember what goes where.
š§ ADHD trick: When it’s visible and simple, it’s easier to put away for you and your kid.
6. Create Zones for Toy Categories
Give everything a home, not just a bin.
Example:
- One shelf = art supplies
- One corner = pretend kitchen stuff
- One drawer = cars & trucks
Don’t let the whole playroom be one big blob of chaos. Define spaces, even if it’s just using rugs or shelves.
š§ ADHD trick: Zones give your brain a map. That map reduces decision fatigue and stops messes from spreading.
7. Try the “One Category at a Time” Rule
This one’s magic: Only one type of toy out at a time.
No pulling out the craft bin until the LEGOs are back.
It won’t be perfect, but over time, it trains your child’s brain and reduces clean-up chaos.
š§ ADHD trick: Rules are easier to follow when they’re simple and visual. One in, one out.
8. Use Removable Labels (So You Can Adapt Later)
Your toy storage needs will change. Today it’s dinosaurs, tomorrow it’s Bakugans.
Use removable labels or clip-on tags that you can easily swap out as your child grows or their interests shift.
š§ ADHD trick: Flexibility prevents your system from falling apart the minute it stops being relevant.
9. Schedule a “Toy Declutter Day” Twice a Year
Put it in your calendar: every 6 months, do a toy reset.
You can even tie it to a holiday like the week before a birthday or Christmas.
Do it with your kid, and talk about donating to kids who’ll love what they’ve outgrown. It makes the process feel meaningful instead of stressful.
š§ ADHD trick: Putting it on autopilot means you don’t have to rely on memory or motivation when clutter creeps back in.
Final Thoughts (From One ADHD Mama to Another)
Look, you don’t need a perfect Pinterest playroom. You just need a few tools that make things easier, not harder.
These tricks aren’t about looking impressive. They’re about feeling sane. Calm. Clearer.
Like your brain isn’t trying to climb a toy avalanche every day.
And whether your child has ADHD or not, these strategies still help. Because at the end of the day, this is about making your home work for you, not the other way around.
So try one thing today. Just one.
Then come back when you’re ready for the next.
You’re doing better than you think. š