The poll, involving 1,000 parents with children aged between three and 10, disclosed that kids typically have up to eight unused toys, half of which are still in their original packaging.
Many parents believe their children stick to a few favourite toys, while a third say their kids spend more time on screens than playing with physical toys.
Even so, with Christmas around the corner, 80 per cent of parents are eager to declutter their homes, with 51 per cent wanting to make room for new presents arriving on Christmas Day.
Among those planning to clear out unused toys, 63 per cent intend to donate them to charity, while 50 per cent will pass them on to friends or family with younger children.
The research was commissioned by Skipton Building Society as part of its Christmas charity toy collection.
Through partnerships with charities like Cash for Kids Mission Christmas, Skipton branches across the UK are accepting unopened toy donations to help children in need.
Dilly Carter, the professional organiser from the hit TV series Sort Your Life Out, has shared her wisdom with parents on how to declutter in preparation for Christmas.
She advocates getting kids involved by encouraging them to “find new homes” for toys they’ve outgrown, and to categorise belongings into keep, donate, or recycle groups.
“Decluttering before Christmas is the perfect way to make room for new gifts and give your child a fresh start in the new year,” Carter advises.
The spirit of generosity is also strong this season, with the survey revealing that 73 per cent of parents intend to lend a hand to friends and family in need during the festivities, passing on items they no longer need and giving them meaningful gifts.
Moreover, a heartwarming 69 per cent of parents are looking to contribute to charitable causes this Christmas, with toys, clothes, and food topping the list of donations.
Helen McGinity, who leads the financial advice distribution at Skipton Building Society, expressed her delight at seeing generosity within families: “It’s heartwarming to see families embracing the spirit of giving, not just through what they share, but by teaching their kids the vital lesson of helping those less fortunate.”
“We’re delighted to play a small part in facilitating this by opening up our branches nationwide to collect new toys for charities, supporting children this Christmas and making a real difference this festive season.”
Dilly Carter’s Top Decluttering Tips
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Get your child involved
Frame the sorting process as a chance to “find new homes” for unused toys, making it a positive activity that teaches generosity. -
Use the one-in, one-out rule
For every new toy arriving at Christmas, donate or recycle one older toy to keep clutter in check. -
Sort with purpose
Create three piles: keep, donate, and recycle. This system ensures toys are reused or disposed of responsibly. -
Start small
Begin with one drawer or cupboard to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Tackling smaller spaces first builds momentum for bigger tasks. -
Focus on the positives
Highlight benefits like making space for new toys and helping other children enjoy the unused ones.