I’m sharing a fun idea today on involving kids in toy cleanup and donation. This printable monster bag eats toys that aren’t being used and collects them to donate to goodwill or another family. Keep reading for the printable and instructions on making a monster bag for your family…

Supplies: Monster Bag print out with iron on transfer paper (download the design here), cloth laundry bag ( I buy these big ones– they’re under $5 each), scissors, iron

Step 1: Print out the design and then cut the monster out. Don’t worry about cutting exactly around his body, the paper will become translucent

Step 2: Iron on the design according to the iron on paper instructions

Step 3: Gently peel off the backing paper revealing the design underneath. If there are spots that aren’t coming up, re-iron them

I like the idea of using the monster bag as a way of making a consistent effort to donate unused toys. Once a month the family can use it to select a few small trinkets or toys that aren’t being played with to donate to a goodwill or a family in need. Giving kids the responsibility to select the toys and knowing exactly where they go is a great way to keep them involved in cleaning and organizing the home.

Ashley said her family used a monster bag as a way to encourage kids to pick up their toys. If they don’t get picked up the monster bag will come out and hid then away for a few days! Either approach works to get clutter off the floor and from your home.

Photography by Liz Stanley. Assisted by Sara Albers and Ashley Aikele. Monster illustration by Rebecca Ricks for Say Yes.

Thank you Cottonelle for sponsoring this post in celebration of their new Mega Roll which includes four rolls in one†. Check out Cottonelle on their facebook page and see posts here in the upcoming months on home efficiency and storage. 

†comparing number of sheets to leading Ultra 82-ct. roll