Even though my kids don’t play with toys too much anymore, we still have a collection in the playroom for the cousins and the kiddies of friends. We wave the little kids down the stairs and then hand the friends a large glass of wine.

Over the years, I’ve culled the herd of toys quite a bit to the essential toys — the toys that were in heavy rotation for my kids and the cousins. Sent off to the Good Will were all the good intension toys and the secret agenda toys. So, all the science kits and the magic trick kits went. Sorry, grandparents, but your grandkids don’t want to learn about the constellations or make a flower come out of your nose. And nobody here has much patience for board games, because they are toooooo sllllooooooowwww.

The absolute most important thing for dealing with kiddie toys is having a sensible organization system. It needs to be big and tall, so you don’t end up with multiple systems. It needs to be able to handle grubby fingers. We are using IKEA’s storage system. Macy’s has the Neatfreak system. This ClosetMaid Cube Stackable Laminate Organizer is very nice.

So, what’s in those storage bins and the toy closet? Nerf guns, Happy Meals figurines, WEDGiTS Deluxe Set – 30 Piece Set, Wooden Thomas trains.

We have three mega bins of Legos. We’re not buying anymore big $100 sets, because they get built in three hours and then get absorbed into the chaos of the bins, never to be assembled again. This year, the boys are getting their LEGO 60024 City Advent Calendar and LEGO Minecraft.

We have a box of matchbox cars, some of which date back to my brother and the 1970s. The cousins love our very cheap car garage set. I’m not sure who gave it us, but it’s a crowd favorite. Here’s a cute high end version – Plan Toys City Series Parking Garage.

Everybody buys girls princess outfits, but boys like to dress up, too, though not really in princess outfits. We keep all the old Halloween costumes in a trunk in the toy closet, and the cousins love them. Some friend buy up the discount costumes at Party City the day after Halloween.

Ian still plays with ZOOB.

There’s a bright green soccer ball that ought to be in the garage, Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Folding Castle, and one or two board games that still amuse.