Two thirds of parents admit their children have ‘heaps’ of unopened Christmas toys – and some are worth more than £90

TWO thirds of parents admit their children have “heaps” of unopened Christmas toys and some are worth more than £90.

A survey of 1,000 adults with children aged three to ten found that their children had up to eight toys they never used, and half of them remained in the box.

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And mums and dads estimate these unloved toys could be worth more than £90.

Nearly four in ten (37 percent) think their children have some. favorite toys and ignore the rest, while 33 percent admit to spending more time on screens than on toys.

But 80 percent of parents want to have a toy space before the holidays, while 51 percent want to make room for a potential new influx on December 25.

Six in ten people (63%) will donate their unwanted toys to charity, and 50% will give them to friends and family with young children.

The research was commissioned by Skipton Building Society (part of the Skipton Group) as part of its Christmas toy collection for various charities, including Cash for Kids – Mission Christmas, whose branches nationwide are accepting contributions unopened.

The building society has teamed up with Dilly Carter, the professional organizer behind TV show Sort Your Life Out, who has given parents tips on how to tackle pre-Christmas decluttering.

She said: “Decluttering before Christmas is the perfect way to make room for new presents and give your child a fresh start in the new year.

“Involve them in the process by presenting it as an opportunity to “find new homes” for toys they no longer or never played with.

“Start small – one drawer or box at a time – and use the ‘one in, one out’ rule to keep everything manageable.

“Sorting toys into “keep,” “donate,” and “recycle” piles not only frees up space, but also teaches children valuable lessons about generosity and sustainability.

It also emerged that 78% of parents think their children will be willing to get rid of toys they have never played with or touched at all.

37 percent of them wish they understood the importance of helping others by donating to them.

But as Christmas approaches, 40 per cent of parents admit that it is difficult to buy a child a toy for Christmas that they will thoroughly enjoy playing with.

Of those, 36 percent struggle because their children’s interests change too quickly, while 30 percent struggle to find something that’s both educational and fun.

Despite this, they expect their little ones to receive an average of seven new toys this year from them and extended family.

And mums and dads expect to spend an average of £143 on these items to wrap under the tree and in stockings.

The results, conducted via OnePoll, also revealed that 73 per cent of parents are going to lend a helping hand to close friends and family who may be going through difficult times this Christmas.

Nearly half (48%) will give them a thoughtful gift and 47% will share spare items with them that they don’t use.

Additionally, 69 percent also plan to make a charitable donation this Christmas.

Along with clothing (51 percent), toys (51 percent) and food (46 percent), the most common items will be donated to worthy causes.

Helen McGinity, Head of Financial Advice Delivery at Skipton Building Society, added: “It’s heartwarming to see families embracing the spirit of giving, not only through what they share, but by teaching their children about vital lesson of helping those less fortunate.

“We’re delighted to play a small part in facilitating this by opening our branches across the country to collect new toys for charity, supporting children this Christmas, making a real difference this festive period.”

“We have also made a donation to Cash for Kids – Mission Christmas, which will help bring festive cheer to thousands of children living in poverty who need it most.

DILLY’S BEST TIPS FOR SORTING OUT YOUR UNWANTED GIFTS THIS CHRISTMAS

Involve your child
Encourage your child to participate in the sorting process by presenting it as an opportunity to “find a new home” for toys that have not been opened and used. This makes decluttering seem like a positive activity and helps instill the message “charity begins at home.”

Use the “one in, one out” rule
Explain that for every new toy arriving at Christmas, an older one must be donated or recycled. This helps control clutter and teaches them the importance of balance. Although boxed and unopened toys can only be donated to the toy charity, various charity shops still accept used toys in good condition.

Sort with a purpose
Create three piles: keep, donate and recycle. This clear system facilitates decision-making and ensures that toys are correctly reused or disposed of responsibly.

Start small
Start with just one drawer or cabinet to avoid getting overwhelmed before you start. Completing one area at a time provides momentum and confidence to tackle larger spaces.

Focus on the positives
Highlight the benefits of decluttering, like freeing up space for exciting new toys and helping other children enjoy the ones they haven’t used. Making it a feel-good activity can make the process enjoyable for everyone.

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