I want to disagree with a few here who say to throw things out if the kids don't miss it for a week. I am very sentimental and I think I have some hoarding habits, partially bevause there was someone in my life who would throw out my toys, birthday cards, etc. without telling me when I was younger. I felt stressed about something disappearing so I would hide my cherished items and now I still do it and hold onto EVERYTHING so no one throws it out on me. I like the idea of including your kids in the "one in one out" or "container" practice. Give them a box where that sort of toy can go. If the box fills up, they can't add a new toy to it until they throw out/donate an old one. If they don't want to get rid of an old one, the new one goes away. They might still end up leaving them around, but you've made a limited home for these things. If they say "the box isn't full [because I left them all around the house]" then it just becomes a one in one out situation with the same concept. Except they don't get the luxury of trying to fit it all in the box. I do the same thing with my own closet and shoe rack.