The Tiny Toy Treasure Trove: Hack for Easter, Piñatas, Loot Bags & More!
Let's talk about the tiny toys.
You know the ones —those little plastic trinkets, bouncy balls, erasers shaped like dinosaurs, and mini figures that seem to multiply overnight.
They sneak into our homes via birthday party loot bags, Happy Meals, and mysterious school prize bins. One minute, they're the most precious thing your kid has ever owned, and the next, they're abandoned under the couch, just waiting for you to accidentally clog the Dyson with them.
Instead of tossing them (or letting them take over my life), I started a Tiny Toy Treasure Trove.
It's a simple system:
Step 1: The Collection Phase
Throughout the year, whenever I find a random mini toy lying around, I pop it into a designated bag.I don't make a big deal about it, I don't ask questions, I just collect.
Typically I get a big push to do this in the early Spring, March is great! It aligns with Spring Cleaning, Egg Hunts, Birthday Parties and Summer vacation.
Step 2: The Surprise Uses
When the right occasion rolls around-boom-l have a stash ready to go.
These little toys are gold for:
Easter Eggs - Instead of filling every egg with candy, I add in these fun little surprises. The kids love them, and I feel great because the cost of cream eggs has gone through the roof!
Birthday Piñatas - Because piñatas don't need to be all candy either.
Travel Entertainment - A baggie of "new" tiny toys on a road trip? Lifesaver.
If you have been around a while you may remember how I would swing by the Dollarama or Thrift Store to grab some “fresh” stuff to keep the kids entertained on road trips/vacations. It is helpful to bring some fresh items to keep them busy and things you wouldn’t mind being lost, because traveling can be hectic! Right now in life I don’t feel the need to buy anything because the kids have so much, just hide some away until you need it!
Rainy Day Rewards - When my kids need a little pick-me-up, I dig into the stash for a quick "new" treasure.
School Donations - Classroom/fundraisers can always use prize fillers.
3. Bonus: It's Sustainable!
Reusing what we already have instead of buying more? Love it! It's an easy way to reduce waste while still making holidays and celebrations extra fun. Plus, it helps me feel slightly more in control of the endless teeny tiny toy chaos.
So, if you're drowning in tiny toys like me, start a treasure trove! Future You (and your Easter eggs, piñatas, and road-trip sanity) will be glad!
Do you already do this, or do you have another hack for reusing little trinkets?
Let's chat in the comments :)
Perfect Road Trip goodies >
