One thing we really struggled with as parents was the guilt of hearing the words “I’m bored” - followed closely by the wave of frustration that hit soon after. It didn’t matter if we had spent all day in the garden, been out on an adventure, or even spent the morning at the beach - somehow, as soon as we needed to cook dinner, answer an email, or simply sit down for a moment of rest, we’d hear those dreaded words: “I’m bored.”

This felt especially hard for me during dinner time. We have an open-plan living/kitchen space, so I could still see our son as I cooked, but that didn’t stop the constant need for attention. Despite having a room full of toys, he would wander aimlessly, not really engaging with anything. And then, once bedtime rolled around, we’d come back downstairs to the chaos of toys scattered everywhere. It felt like a never-ending cycle - I’m sure a lot of parents can relate.

Enter: Toy Rotation.

Toy rotation was a total game changer for us. You may have already heard of it, but in case you haven’t, it’s the idea of reducing the number of toys available to your child at any given time, and then regularly rotating them in and out. It’s simple, really - but the impact is huge!

It really did change the way he played with his toys. What we noticed was that independent play increased massively - but it wasn’t just about playing more, it was about how he played, he went from barely interacting with his toys to becoming fully immersed in imaginative play. Just the other day, his LEGO men were hitching a ride in a dump truck, trying to outrun a scary mummy bear. (Yes, he looked right at me when he said that… still undecided whether I should be offended.)

As soon as we reduced the number of toys around him, we noticed he stopped feeling overwhelmed. Instead of aimlessly drifting from one thing to the next, he actually started playing with focus and imagination. And it’s not just us who’ve noticed this - UK studies have shown that having too many toys can distract children and reduce the quality of their play. When there are fewer toys available, children tend to engage more deeply, use their imagination more! 

It makes total sense when you think about it. Imagine us as adults trying to cook a meal in a messy kitchen, with no clean pots or space to work. I don’t know about you, but for me, that would lead to complete overwhelm - and suddenly, making a simple meal would feel like climbing a mountain. But give me a clean kitchen and a bit of space to think, and suddenly I’m channelling my inner Nara Smith and making butter from scratch… (not quite, but you get the idea - her butter does look good though!)

Benefits We Noticed:

1. Improvement in Independent Play: With fewer options, our son began playing more independently, using his imagination to come up with new games.
2. Less Overwhelm: A cluttered play space often leads to mental clutter. Toy rotation helped reduce decision fatigue, making it easier for him to use his imagination and choose something to play with.
3. Engagement: Instead of jumping from toy to toy, our son now spends longer stretches focused on one thing and really evolving story lines.
4. Easier Clean-Up: This one’s huge - no more spending ages tidying up an overwhelming amount of toys every night. Five minutes and done. Actual dream.
5. Keeps things exciting: Rotating toys makes them feel new again. There’s genuine excitement when an old favourite returns

With all this in mind, we actually designed our own toy box to meet what we saw as a real gap in the market. We wanted something practical but also nice enough to sit in our living room - a medium-sized toy box that didn’t scream “kids’ playroom,” but still invited play. It’s open-topped and at the perfect height for our son to access his toys independently.

Now, instead of a jumble of plastic and noise, the box is filled with carefully chosen items - open-ended toys like blocks, LEGO, animals, and small vehicles. Most of the toys in there can be mixed and matched to create endless variations of games. It’s not about having the most beautiful, aesthetically curated set-up - it’s about having toys that get played with, again and again.

We usually rotate the toys every 2–3 weeks, depending on how engaged he is with them. Sometimes we’ll swap just a few things, sometimes the whole lot. It’s flexible and low-effort - and it works.

Toy rotation has really helped us find balance during those “I can’t do everything right now” moments. And most importantly, it’s helped our son enjoy independent play!

Why It’s Never Too Early to Start Toy Rotation.

Toy rotation isn’t just for toddlers or older kids -  it can be incredibly beneficial starting from the moment your baby shows interest in play. In those early months and years, babies are constantly taking in the world around them, and too many toys can actually be overwhelming. By offering just a few items at a time - things like soft rattles, textured toys, or simple sensory objects - we help them focus, and really engage with what’s in front of them. It’s amazing how something as simple as a crinkly fabric book or a wooden stacker can hold their attention when it’s not lost in a sea of clutter. Rotating toys from an early age also helps babies learn to explore independently, and really lays the foundation for more focused play as they grow. 

So if you’re feeling stuck in the cycle of chaos and clutter, maybe give toy rotation a try. We’d love to hear if it works for you - or if you have your own tips for encouraging independent play!