Lately, I've noticed my 4-year-old sneaking toys out of sight - under the couch, inside drawers, even behind books on the shelf. At first, I thought it was just a game or a new curiosity, but now it feels like a pattern. I've asked gently and tried to make a game out of finding the hidden toys, but that hasn't stopped it. It's confusing because we usually have open conversations and my kid doesn't seem upset or anxious otherwise. I wonder if this is some kind of control game or maybe a reaction to changes at daycare (we recently switched classrooms). I want to understand if this is typical behavior or if I should be worried about something deeper. Has anyone else dealt with a child hiding their toys like this? How did you approach it? Also, what are some ways to encourage your child to share or put away toys without making it a power struggle?

On 02/13/2026 at 6:45 AM, DailySoul said:

Lately, I've noticed my 4-year-old sneaking toys out of sight - under the couch, inside drawers, even behind books on the shelf. At first, I thought it was just a game or a new curiosity, but now it feels like a pattern. I've asked gently and tried to make a game out of finding the hidden toys, but that hasn't stopped it. It's confusing because we usually have open conversations and my kid doesn't seem upset or anxious otherwise. I wonder if this is some kind of control game or maybe a reaction to changes at daycare (we recently switched classrooms). I want to understand if this is typical behavior or if I should be worried about something deeper. Has anyone else dealt with a child hiding their toys like this? How did you approach it? Also, what are some ways to encourage your child to share or put away toys without making it a power struggle?

It sounds like your little one might be trying to create their own little safe space or routine with those hidden toys, especially with the recent classroom change shaking things up. Kids at this age often seek control in small ways when bigger parts of their world feel uncertain. Maybe try involving them in a "special toy spot" game where they choose a designated place for their favorites, so they still get that sense of control but it’s more visible and shared. Also, instead of focusing on stopping the hiding, you could gently explore what the toys mean to them when they hide them - sometimes asking, “What’s special about this spot?” can open up surprising insights. It’s great that you’ve kept the conversations open; maybe keep that tone but let them lead more on this topic. Others here have mentioned that patience and curiosity, rather than pressure, helped their kids come around on this kind of behavior.