Less Toys, More Play

I know this may sound controversial, but here’s the truth: kids don’t need toys. At least, not in the way our culture tells us they do.

Toys are a man-made, corporate invention. They generate billions every year in the U.S. alone, and commercials exist for one purpose: to convince us—and our children—that the newest, flashiest thing is “necessary.” But let’s be honest: most toys, especially the battery-operated kind with one function, don’t spark creativity. They stifle it.

I have three kids under six, and together they own exactly two plastic totes of toys. If I’m being generous, those toys get touched for maybe twenty minutes a month.

When we recently moved, those toy totes sat untouched for weeks. At first, when I pulled them out, the kids were excited—but within thirty minutes, it was old news. I realized that if I removed them altogether, at least two of my kids would probably never ask where the toys went.

That was the eye-opener. With fewer toys, my kids didn’t miss out. They thrived.

What They Actually Play With

Here’s the truth: my kids’ favorite “toys” don’t come from Target or Amazon. They come from everyday life:

• Scrap lumber from Dad’s projects, all different shapes and sizes, used for castles, pirate ships, and forts.
• Mud, water, and spoons, transformed into soups, feasts, and science experiments.
• Cardboard boxes, turned into anything their imaginations dream up.
• Play dough— homemade play dough is super easy to make!

The other day, I made a “sand-like” mixture with flour and a few pantry staples, dumped it on their tough tray with some spoons, and they played for hours. Another rainy morning, my four-year-old sat outside squishing mud between her fingers and using a stick to “paint” rocks with mud. She was so absorbed, so joyful. That’s play in its truest form.

I also invite my kids into daily tasks. When I was preparing chicken recently, they helped me pull the meat from the bones and skin. Was it messy? Absolutely. But it was also valuable—sensory play, life skills, and a chance to help with dinner.

That kind of involvement teaches far more than the latest LOL Doll or Leapfrog gadget ever could.

Why Fewer Toys Work

Here’s what I’ve learned:

• More toys = less creativity. When my kids have too many options, they get overwhelmed and don’t play with any of them.
• Fewer toys = more imagination. With only scraps and nature, they invent entire worlds—knights on bicycles protecting their castle, pirates digging for treasure, chefs cooking elaborate mud feasts.
• Mess isn’t the enemy. If I have to hose them off three times a day, I count it a win. It means they’ve been exploring, learning, and creating.

A Word on Pressure and Guilt

There’s so much pressure to pile up toys—especially at birthdays and Christmas. But we need to remember many of those holidays and gift expectations were magnified by the same companies profiting from our purchases.

I’m not saying never buy toys. I’m just saying don’t feel pressured to keep up with the toy load under the tree. Dirt, wood, and cardboard can be a perfectly good toy selection. And in my experience, they’re better.

Because childhood isn’t about having the newest gadget. It’s about wonder, creativity, and time well spent.

What’s the most random “toy” your kids have loved more than anything store-bought?