Okay, I know I can't be the only one with this problem! What do you do with your children's stuffed animals? Where do store them?

We are on stuffed animal overload here! Both my girls have TONS of stuffed animals. We have 2 nets hanging in the corners of both their rooms, but it doesn't seem to be enough. In one room, the nets are older and seem to be more sturdy. In the other room, the nets are only a couple years old, but not very stable. We have to be extremely careful taking this in and out otherwise it all comes tumbling down! In order to get something from the net, they have to put something in the net. We do go thru them periodically, especially at Christmas, to get rid of some. I've donated them to Goodwill or sold them in a yard sale. A couple times, I donated them to treasure boxes at church or school. However, my oldest will end up getting them back on her trip to the treasure box! So, sometimes it's a neverending cycle! Both girls keep several in their beds.

We've nicely told family, "please, no more stuffed animals!" We still seem to be overrun. My oldest just turned 7, and I thought for sure she'd outgrow a lot of them. Nope, she still loves her animals!

So, how do you handle/organize stuffed animals? What age will they outgrow this phase?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Stuffed animals drive me crazy. I also ask family not to give them and said it alot while I was pregnant, especially to my husband. Why does a newborn need a stuffed animal. They usually only like a certain few and the rest are dust collectors. Our dogs would sneak a few that were on the ground and after the kids got over the "trauma" of losing their favorite stuffed animal (which they did not even touch before that) I would give the dogs more that were on the bottom of the pile and the kids have never missed them.

Good question, but hard to answer. I know I have had the same problem. I know one friend has even older kids than I, she's saved the absolute favorites, one or two from each kids, and put them back for her future grandkids. I like that idea, and I know I've periodically donated extras too, but it's always been a storage issue with what we do have. Good luck.

Tricia, good topic! You are right, as moms, we have to contend with this. I bet you are overwrought with stuffed animals.

The reason I say this is because I have seen a surge in "animals" since Lillian has been here.

My boys have their share and even favorites, but people buy Lillian a ton!

I also recently had to tell a family member, "NO more!" I just don't have the space, especially for Lillian. I have a 5 bedroom house so Miss Lilly didn't get a full size bedroom of her own; she ended up with the study/office. Her "room" is closet less and the smallest.

I do not know what to do with them all, they are so cute.

I have had yard sales, but those items do not sell very well, even for a dime.

I can not blame people. I'm not one to buy stuff like that used either. 1. I have a ton already, and most people do, 2. All I can envision is a child comforted by their fake pet while sick -and it harboring germs.

I know, I'm bad, but they can have so much germs and dust on them. My pediatrician even told us to take them out of Austin's room b/c of his allergies.

I wonder if some of them could be made into puppets? You can take the stuffing out, although this could be traumatizing to the little ones?

If anyone finds a solution, please let me know!

I just went in their room one day and got rid of all the ones I know they never play with and the rest I found this wonderful item that you can hang in a closet and it has about 5 cubbies, supposed to be used for clothes etc. but I put their stuffed animals and extra blankets they love in it that way they can still have them but they are out of the way in the room. Good luck

Be careful never to give your children used stuffed toys - they can harbor many bacteria!

We have the same animal overload at our house! I hate to throw them away. What do you do with them?

I throw most of them away, I hate the idea too but I know about getting used stuffed animals, not the safest thing for our children. If it was newer I donate it to salvation army. But if you want to keep them those bags that you can deflate are awesome. Buy some of the large ones put some animals in, seal, and vacuum out the air. This way you have not thrown them away just put them up for a while and then maybe trade them out once in a while.

Also, I wonder if there is any kind of recycling company out there that recycles disinfects and can reuse any of the parts. I am going to search it. I will let you know.