Let’s face it: kids are the adorable little tornadoes that whirl through our homes, leaving a trail of toys, clothes, and other miscellaneous items in their wake. Keeping a house tidy with kids around can seem like a task of Herculean proportions. But, fret not! It’s not an impossible mission.
With a bit of planning, creativity, and the involvement of your little ones, you can maintain order and cleanliness. Here are 15 ways I keep my house organized, despite the daily onslaught of childhood chaos.
1. Label Everything
One of the most effective ways I’ve found to keep my home organized with kids is by labeling everything. Labeling makes it easier for kids to find what they’re looking for, and importantly, where to put things back when they’re done using them. It also helps them learn the concept of ‘a place for everything and everything in its place’.
For instance, in my son’s room, I have labels on the toy bins for ‘cars’, ‘dolls’, ‘legos’ and so on. The bookshelf has sections labeled ‘storybooks’, ‘activity books’, ‘school books’. Even in the kitchen, I have labels on the snack jars. This way, the kids know exactly where to find their favorite treats. Not only does this keep things organized, but it also promotes independence and responsibility in kids.
2. Use Storage Bins and Baskets
Storage bins and baskets are a lifesaver when it comes to organizing a home with kids. They’re versatile, come in various sizes, and can be used to store anything from toys to clothes to craft supplies. Plus, they’re easy for kids to handle and move around.
In our living room, we have a large bin for storing all the soft toys. We also have smaller baskets for different types of toys. In the kids’ room, we have bins for clothes that need to be put away, for dirty laundry, and even for random bits and bobs they collect. These bins and baskets not only keep things tidy but also add a decorative touch to the rooms.
3. Daily Clean-Up Time
Incorporating a daily clean-up time in our routine has been a game-changer for maintaining a tidy home. It’s a dedicated time, usually before bed, when everyone pitches in to tidy up. It’s a great way to teach kids about taking responsibility and it also ensures that clutter doesn’t build up.
We have a fun clean-up song that we play, and the kids race to put away as many things as they can while the song plays. We’ve found that turning it into a game makes clean-up time something they actually look forward to. And the bonus is, we wake up to a clean, tidy home every morning!
4. Rotating Toys
Rotating toys is a fantastic way to reduce clutter, keep your kids interested in their toys, and make clean-up easier. Instead of having all their toys available all the time, we keep some in storage and rotate them every few weeks.
This approach not only keeps our living spaces less cluttered but also renews our kids’ interest in their toys. They look forward to the ‘new’ toys each rotation and play with them more. Plus, with fewer toys out at a time, clean-up is quicker and easier.
5. Use Vertical Space
When you’re limited on floor space, going vertical can be a great way to keep things organized. Shelves, hooks, wall-mounted organizers, and over-the-door storage options are great ways to utilize vertical space.
In our kids’ rooms, we use wall-mounted bookshelves to keep their books tidy and accessible. We also use hooks on the walls for hanging backpacks, coats, and dress-up clothes. Over-the-door shoe organizers are perfect for storing small toys, socks, or craft supplies. Using vertical space has been key in keeping our home organized with kids.
6. Regular Decluttering
Regular decluttering is crucial to keeping an organized home, especially with kids. Kids outgrow clothes, toys, and interests quickly, and if you’re not vigilant, you can end up drowning in clutter.
Every few months, we go through the kids’ things and sort out what to keep, donate, or discard. We involve the kids in the process, and it’s a great way to teach them about letting go of things and the importance of helping those less fortunate.
7. Keep a Donation Box
Having a designated donation box in a handy spot has been a great way for us to keep on top of clutter. Whenever we come across something that the kids have outgrown or are no longer using, it goes straight into the box.
Once the box is full, we take it to a local charity. Not only does this keep our home tidy, but it also teaches our kids about generosity and the importance of giving to others.
8. Teach Kids to Make Their Beds
Instilling the habit of making their beds every morning in our kids has been a simple but effective way to keep their rooms tidy. It’s a quick task, but it sets the tone for the day and makes their rooms look much neater.
We started this habit when they were toddlers, and now it’s just part of their morning routine. It’s been a great way to teach them about taking responsibility for their space.
9. Utilize Furniture with Built-in Storage
Furniture with built-in storage is a godsend when it comes to organizing a home with kids. Beds with storage drawers, ottomans that open up to storage space, or coffee tables with shelves underneath can all provide valuable storage space.
In our home, we have a bench in the entryway that opens up to store shoes, and our coffee table has a shelf underneath where we keep the kids’ coloring books and crayons. It’s a great way to keep things tidy and out of sight.
10. Set Up a Homework Station
Setting up a dedicated homework station for our kids has been a great way to keep their school supplies organized and in one place. It’s a specific spot where they do their homework, and it has all the supplies they need.
Having a homework station not only keeps our home tidier, but it also helps our kids focus better on their work. They know that when they’re at their station, it’s time to work, and having all their supplies at hand means they’re not constantly getting up to find things.
11. Have a Place for Everything
One of the keys to keeping our home organized with kids is to have a designated place for everything. When everything has a place, it’s easier to put things away, and it’s easier for the kids to find what they’re looking for.
We use labels, bins, and shelves to create designated spots for everything. It takes some time to set up, but once it’s done, it makes keeping the house tidy much easier.
12. Make Clean-Up Easy
Making clean-up easy for our kids has been key to keeping our home tidy. We make sure that storage is accessible and that it’s easy for them to put things away.
For example, we use open bins for their toys so they can easily see where things go. We also keep a step stool in the kitchen so they can reach the shelves where their dishes and cups are kept. The easier it is for them to clean up, the more likely they are to do it.
13. Use Chore Charts
Chore charts are a great way to teach kids about responsibility and keep the house tidy. We have a chart with daily and weekly chores for each of our kids.
They earn stars for each chore they complete, and at the end of the week, they can trade their stars for a small reward. It’s been a great way to motivate them to help out and keep the house tidy.
14. Be Consistent
Consistency is key when it comes to keeping a home organized with kids. We make sure to keep up with our routines and systems, even when things get busy.
It’s tempting to let things slide, but we’ve found that it’s much harder to get back on track once things start to get messy. So, we stick to our routines and make sure everyone does their part to keep the house tidy.
15. Involve Kids in Organizing
Finally, one of the most effective ways we’ve found to keep our home organized with kids is to involve them in the process. We talk to them about why it’s important to keep our home tidy and involve them in setting up and maintaining our organizing systems.
Involving the kids gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility. It also teaches them valuable skills that they’ll use throughout their life. It’s a win-win situation.
