During my years as a professional organizer in Vancouver, I discovered that the one thing that can easily derail the downsizing process is toys. Seriously, who wants to work when you can play – especially with toys from your youth? These toys remind us of a time when we were young, joyous, and carefree. However, there comes a time when downsizing vintage toys becomes necessary. It’s a challenge when nostalgia kicks in, but this advice might help.
Many (Most) Vintage Toys are Unsafe
Did you find toys you played with in the 1970s, 1980s, or 1990s? Maybe you think your grandchildren would love to play with it too. Think again. In fact, most toys manufactured back then contained high levels of toxic chemicals. Many of them adversely affect growth, cause cancer, and/or damage reproductive organs. When I started researching this article, I was amazed at what scientists found in vintage toys (lead, cadmium, arsenic, phthalates, etc.)* and wondered how we survived!
Additionally, the materials in vintage toys break down over time. Toys that were considered safe then are more delicate now. For example, old fabric rips and shreds easily and is a choking hazard. Also, plastic parts snap, and sharp, broken edges easily cut skin. Do not risk your family’s long-term health! Toss those worn-out toys in the trash. Additionally, be kind to others in your community and don’t donate them either. If they’re high-quality vintage toys, consider selling them to collectors.
Should it Stay, or Should it Go?
Firstly, toss the trash. Typically, most municipalities can’t recycle older plastics, so as sad as it may be, you should toss broken toys in the trash. However, keep parts or pieces that are still in good shape because you may be able to sell (or give) them to collectors looking to build complete sets of their vintage toys. Then, create categories by putting the toys into logical groups. You could separate them based on age (under 3 years, 3-5 years, etc.), toy type (puzzles, games, dolls, figurines), or theme (Star Wars, Transformers, etc.) You could also subdivide categories (e.g., puzzles for under 3 years). But be careful you don’t create too many groups. Ideally, each group should have at least a few toys in it.
Next, decide what to keep. As easy as it is to say (or type) that sentence, it’s often the hardest part for most people. Here are two essential questions to ask yourself. Remember to answer them honestly.
Does this toy fit into my current life?
Sometimes, people decide they don’t want to do the work to maintain their collection. Alternatively, they may be going through a life transition (relationship or health issues) and realize some or all their vintage toys are no longer a valued part of their life. Also, think about the space you have. Do the vintage toys you want to keep physically fit into your space? You might be unable to keep your Radio Flyer wagon collection if you move into a small apartment.
Does this toy hold special significance, or is it just taking up space?
We attach meaning to items based on memories we have. Perhaps your first Lego kit inspired you to become a civil engineer. Maybe the toy xylophone your grandmother gave you sparked your interest in music. If you have the space, feel free to keep these special items. However, if you keep them only because you always kept them, it might be time to let them go.
When the Out of Chaos team works with clients, we generally have three piles of vintage toys: keep, sell/donate, and unsure. We work with clients to store (or display) the items they want to hold onto. For items they are uncertain about, we put them into storage and set a date in the future to review them. Then, we make a plan to sell/donate the rest.
Assessing Your Vintage Toys
Now, it’s time to inventory the vintage toys you are downsizing. Ideally, use a spreadsheet or inventory app to collect the following information:
- Name of toy or piece of toy set
- Manufacturer
- Year of production
- Quality and condition
- Brief history of the toy
Use this information to do some basic research on the toy’s history and value. Collectors also consider rarity and cultural/historical significance when determining a toy’s value. For example, Star Trek’s communicator and phaser were culturally significant. If they are also in their original package in pristine condition, they would be worth more than if they were well used.
Online marketplaces, auction results, and collector forums can provide valuable insights. This knowledge will help you make informed decisions and maximize returns if you sell them. Here are some places to search:
Furthermore, you can also search the internet for collectors of specific toys, such as “vintage Weebles collectors” or “1970s Weebles collectors.”
Sell or Donate Your Vintage Toys
If you discover you have high-value vintage toys, you could sell them yourself or through an auction house or consignment shop. Unfortunately, selling vintage toys is a time-consuming process. And often, it’s not a money-making endeavour compared to the amount of time you spend researching and communicating with potential buyers. However, if you have the time, desire, and ability, it can be rewarding (albeit not financially) to connect with people who will deeply appreciate adding to their own collection.
Although I mentioned the safety concerns of donating toys, you can donate to agencies and organizations. Some museums and non-profit agencies might accept your items and auction them to collectors to raise funds for their programs. See our resources on Where to Sell or Donate Items to find an acceptable home for your vintage toys. Remember to practice good donation etiquette when letting go of your items.
Coping with the Emotions
If you struggle to let go, take pictures of your cherished items. Create a photo album and add photos from your youth (if you have them) of you playing with the toys. Also, write about what the toys meant to you and include stories about playing them. Consider sharing your pictures and stories with family members or friends who played with you at the time. It may rekindle or strengthen relationships.
Downsizing vintage toys can be emotionally challenging. However, it’s not about erasing the past; it’s about preserving your memories in a more manageable way. The Out of Chaos team would be happy to help you navigate this trip down memory lane. Contact us today for a consultation.
*References:
Carney Almroth, Bethanie, and Daniel Slunge. “Circular economy could expose children to hazardous phthalates and chlorinated paraffins via old toys and childcare articles.” Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, vol. 7, Aug. 2022, p. 100107, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazadv.2022.100107.
Kelechava, Brad. “Vintage Toy Safety – Hazards of the Past.” The ANSI Blog, American National Standards Institute, 27 Jan. 2023, https://blog.ansi.org/2018/04/vintage-toy-safety-hazards-past-astm-iso/.
Miller GZ, Harris ZE. Hazardous metals in vintage plastic toys measured by a handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. J Environ Health. 2015;77(6):8-113, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25619030/.
Turner, Andrew. “Concentrations and migratabilities of hazardous elements in second-hand children’s plastic toys.” Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 52, no. 5, 19 Jan. 2018, pp. 3110–3116, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b04685.
