With Christmas less than 30 sleeps away, now is the perfect time to declutter toys with your kids.
You read that right…with your kids. 😊
I promise I’m not crazy. While decluttering toys together may take a little longer (at first) and might result in fewer toys leaving the house than if you tackled it solo, the long-term payoff is worth it.
As a professional home organizer, I see this again and again: kids learn by doing.
When children are involved in organizing their own spaces, they learn responsibility for their belongings, the value of letting go of items that no longer serve them, and the joy of giving to others. Most importantly, it lays the foundation for a healthy, lifelong relationship with “stuff” and helps keep your home tidier year-round.
Here are five tips to help you get started:
1) TEACH YOUR KIDS ORGANIZATION BY EXAMPLE
Kids model what they see. When they watch you put things away after using them, they’re far more likely to follow suit. This doesn’t mean perfection, it just means showing them that being organized is part of everyday life. You’ve got this!
2) TEACH YOUR KIDS HOW TO ORGANIZE
A shouted “Go clean your room!” rarely works. Organizing is a learned skill. The best way to teach it is by working alongside your kids, especially when they’re young. The holidays are a great opportunity to tackle toys and books they’ve outgrown.
Start with the easy wins: broken toys, missing pieces or games no one plays anymore. I’m a big fan of low-hanging fruit to build momentum.
Instead of asking, “What do you want to get rid of?” try “What do you want to keep?” or “What do you play with the most?” If they’re struggling to let go, you can explain that donating helps other kids who may not receive new toys. Their generosity may surprise you.
3) MAKE ORGANIZING FUN
If organizing feels like a chore, kids will resist it. Turn it into a game! Set up bins or baskets labeled “keep,” “donate” and “toss” and let kids toss toys (non-breakable ones!) into the right spot. When organizing is fun, it’s far more likely to stick.
4) TEACH KIDS TO ORGANIZE BY GROUPING “LIKE WITH LIKE”
Sorting is a powerful teaching tool. All stuffed animals together. Books in one spot. Games with games. This “like with like” method makes organizing logical and sets the stage for long-term success.
5) HELP KIDS STAY ORGANIZED BY GIVING EVERYTHING A HOME
A tidy space only stays tidy when everything has a clear home. Bins, shelves, drawers and toy boxes help kids understand where things belong. Younger kids may benefit from picture labels, while older kids can help write and decorate their own labels. When kids know where things go, they’re far more likely to put them away.
If you’d like to see how organizing can completely transform a child’s space, take a look at this before-and-after playroom organization project.
And as always, if you need help getting started or want hands-on support, reach out to SOS Smart Organizing Solutions. I love helping families declutter their homes, create custom organizing systems, and learn practical organizing solutions that make it easier to stay tidy long term.