Are you tired of always looking for your kids’ favorite toys and clothing items? Do your kids leave their homework because they forget to put it in their folders the night before? If so, then this post is for you. Kids should learn time management and organization skills to have everything they need to thrive for the day. If you struggle with organization as a parent, this post can help you, too. Here are some effective ways to organize kids’ things.
Declutter Throughout the Year
One reason why your kids struggle to find things is excess clutter. At the beginning of each season, declutter the kids’ rooms. Grab three storage bins and label them “keep”, “donate”, and “throw away”. Sit with your kids and ask them which items they no longer want or need. Have them try on their current outfits, and if they don’t fit, donate them to the local Goodwill or to family members.
Create Simple Routines and Systems
One of the best ways to organize kids’ things is to create routines and systems they can follow during the week. Assign a place for everything in your kids’ rooms and demonstrate where certain items must go. Maybe you can have a bookshelf for the kids’ books and large baskets for their stuffed animals. Every night before bed, your kids can put everything back in their designated spaces.
Another idea is the “one in, one out rule.” When you buy new items for the kids, toss out their old ones. This reduces clutter in their rooms and it makes it easier to find things.
Use storytelling while helping them stay organized. You can say, “The crayons had a cool playdate with you and your sisters, but they told me they’re ready to go back home to their boxes. Let’s take them home.” Or you can say, “Your Barbie friends are hungry, it’s time to bring them to the dollhouse so they can eat dinner.”
Categorize The Toys
Your kids have all types of toys, and categorizing them makes organization simpler. Purchase a few storage bins and label them according to the type of toys they are. In one bin, place her stuffed animals, and in another bin, place her coloring books. Teach your child which bins certain toys belong in, and periodically go through the bins and look for items that are out of place. Finally, have your child return misplaced items to the proper bins.
What About Shared Bedrooms?
There are effective ways to organize kids’ things when they have a shared bedroom. Install a divider in the middle of the room to separate the kids’ spaces and reduce conflict. If they have a small bedroom with minimal space, use bunk beds to save space. Give each child their own wall shelves to store books and pictures. Add some large cubbies for their most-used gadgets and toys. Under-bed storage bins are great for storing bedsheets or shoes. Trundle beds are a neat alternative to the bunk bed because you can fold the bottom bed under the top bed and you don’t have to worry about anyone falling out the bed from the top.
Keep Paper Clutter at Bay
Your kids bring home papers from school, church, and other activities throughout the week. Teach your child how to reduce paper clutter. Purchase a desk drawer set and label the drawers according to the types of papers they usually bring home. One drawer will be for homework assignments, another for permission slips, and another for any other important documents such as report cards and graded exams. Tell your child to throw away any papers he doesn’t need.
Use a Rolling Cart for Art Supplies
If your child is crafty and has lots of art supplies, don’t clutter the desk with them. Instead, get a rolling cart for his favorite art supplies. It keeps them organized, and he minimizes the mess by not having to carry them from one area to the next and causing spills.
Cut Back on Shopping
Kids know how to convince us that they need certain things when in fact, those are wants. Teach your kids the importance of smart spending habits and distinguishing between wants and needs. Only buy them major gifts during special occasions such as birthdays, Christmas, or graduations. Don’t buy them toys during every outing. It adds clutter to your home, and they don’t learn to wait for the things they want.
Use Drawer Inserts
Keep your child’s socks, belts, and hairpieces in separate areas in their drawers with inserts. The inserts help your child find these items quickly. You can also use inserts to separate different types of jewelry for your daughter.
Put a Laundry Hamper in the Room
Does your child leave both clean and dirty clothes all over the room? If so, put the dirty clothes in a laundry hamper for his dirty clothes. This keeps clothes from cluttering the room, and he’ll have his dirty clothes in one place.
Create a Family Command Center
Command centers are another way to keep your kids’ things organized. In the front entryway, install a built-in closet where you will store the kids’ bookbags, coats, keys, rainboots, and purses.
Organizing your kids’ things doesn’t have to be tiresome. These strategies will help them stay organized throughout the week. Feel free to modify these ideas to suit your lifestyle.