I try to rotate some of our toys and books around the first of each month. I don’t rotate everything, but find that some rotation helps add some fresh energy to the playroom. The kids are usually excited to see toys that have been put away for a few months – the toys almost seem new to them. Also, limiting the number of toys that are out at one time helps the kids focus their creativity on the toys available.
My method for toy rotation is pretty relaxed. I take away toys that are no longer being played with and replace them with toys from storage. When I rotate in the “new” toys, I try to think about what might be happening in the upcoming month – if there are any holidays, special events or themes we’re going to be exploring.
This month, I’ve rotated in some toys related to the outdoors. The weather is just starting to slightly warm up where we live and we are ready to spend more time outside. I’ve also added a few construction materials, as we will be doing some construction play this month.
There are a number of toys that I don’t rotate because they are played with regularly. Our farm animals, fences, barn and chicken coop stay out on the shelf all the time. My 3 year old son is a huge farm addict and plays with them pretty much everyday. I also leave out our open ended blocks, castle pieces and play kitchen. If you’re interested in learning more about the toys we leave out all the time, there is more information in this post.
Here’s what I put out for toy rotation in May.
Toys
- Guidecraft Little Bricks (Scholar’s Choice)
- Lovevery Flashlight
- Magnifying Glasses (Amazon)
- Discover the Busy World of the Beehive book (Amazon)
- Felt beehive, bees and bee kaleidoscope (Sewing Seeds Play)
- Lovevery Camping Set and Wood Stacking Boulders
- The Little Book of Backyard Birds (Amazon)
- Folkmanis bird finger puppets (Sewing Seeds Play)
- Mader Wood tops – Roly Poly Spinning Top, Rainbow Spinning Top Learning Set (Nest.ca)
- Goki Ladybug Bobble (JS Rainbows)
- Lovevery Montessori Math Bars, Math Tiles & Number Sense Nature Counters
- Lovevery First Sewing Kit
- Lovevery Match & Tap Hammer Box
- Chicco Remote Control Cars (Billy Bigwheels and Fiat 500 Sport)
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Puzzles and Games
- Haba Building Site Game (Granville Island Toy Company)
- Petit College Construction Floor Puzzle (Dilly Dally)
- Oliver Jeffers Go Fish Cards (Dilly Dally)
- Fishing Game (IKEA)
- Butterfly Friends puzzle (Book Outlet)
- Lovevery Colour Theory Puzzle
- Butterfly number puzzle (Dollarama)
Book Rotation
Next, I rotate the books on the display shelves in my kids’ rooms. The books on the display shelves tend to be the ones we read at night, rather than the ones stacked on nearby shelves, so we all enjoy when they are refreshed every month. This month, I put out some books related to the outdoors and a few of our other favourites that we haven’t read in a while.
- Ada Twist, Scientist
- The Magical Yet
- My Heart Fills with Happiness
- Stuck
- Blueberries for Sal
- This Way Charlie
- The Gruffalo
- Pigs
- Bella and Jack Bring Back the Bees
- I am the Boss of this Chair
- Stick and Stone: Best Friends Forever
- Let’s Find Momo: Outdoors
- Bug Hotel
- Love is a Truck
- Stick and Stone
- Jamberry
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
- Mr. Complain Takes the Train
- Hurry Up, Franklin
- All By Myself
- Goodnight, Rainbow Cats
*As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Can you guess what my kids’ favourites might be? My 5 year old daughter grabbed Stuck by Oliver Jeffers first and my 3 year old son chose his two Stick and Stone books. If you have any questions about the toys and books above or if you have any questions about toy rotation, please leave a comment.