Jobs for the Week: Decluttering Games and Puzzles

Keep the fun, lose the clutter

If You Have 5 Minutes

• Quick check: Pick one game or puzzle you haven’t played in a while. Is it missing pieces? Is it something you still enjoy? If not, set it aside.

• Box tidy: Look inside a few boxes—put stray pieces back where they belong and recycle any damaged packaging.

  
  

If You Have 30 Minutes

• Sort the collection: Take all your games and puzzles off the shelf. Group them by type—board games, card games, jigsaw puzzles, video games.

• Be honest: Let go of anything that’s outgrown, incomplete, or rarely played. Keep favourites and those with sentimental value or regular use.

• Donate or share: Pass along good-quality games to friends, schools, charities, or community centres.

  
  

If You Have Longer

• Test and repair: Check puzzles and games for missing parts. Replace what you can, or repurpose incomplete sets for crafts or spares.

• Reorganise storage: Store games where they’re easy to access. Stack boxes neatly, and consider using zip bags or clear tubs for puzzles or smaller sets to save space.

• Keep it current: Make a note of what you actually play and enjoy—this helps avoid accumulating new games that quickly go unused.

  
  

This Week’s Challenge:

Declutter three games or puzzles that no longer get played. A well-loved and well-used collection is better than an overflowing one.