8 Tips to Teach Kids to Declutter
Check out these ways for getting the kids on board to clear up the summer holiday chaos and start the new term afresh
Feel as if your kids’ playthings are slowly taking over your house? You’re not alone. If, like a lot of parents, you think your little ones have way too many toys to play with and nowhere to store them, guess what? It’s time to declutter.
Get them involved
There are some toys and clothes that you’ll be able to remove without telling your child, but don’t make more work for yourself by always doing this. Get them involved in the process in order to form good habits early on. Help them to feel happy about throwing away or recycling irreparable toys. Children are often very compassionate, so ask them if they’d like to give a game or teddy to someone who has few, or no, toys.
Check out these genius ideas for kids storage
There are some toys and clothes that you’ll be able to remove without telling your child, but don’t make more work for yourself by always doing this. Get them involved in the process in order to form good habits early on. Help them to feel happy about throwing away or recycling irreparable toys. Children are often very compassionate, so ask them if they’d like to give a game or teddy to someone who has few, or no, toys.
Check out these genius ideas for kids storage
Start small
We often save up a decluttering session for when we have a large block of time available. However, avoid planning a big purge of the entire house in one day, as you might find it impossible.
Set aside an hour for a specific task, clearing through one box or drawer at a time, then have a break and celebrate what’s been achieved. This is particularly effective with children. Set small, achievable goals, and try to stop before they get tired or impatient. To keep them motivated, agree on some little rewards for completing each task.
We often save up a decluttering session for when we have a large block of time available. However, avoid planning a big purge of the entire house in one day, as you might find it impossible.
Set aside an hour for a specific task, clearing through one box or drawer at a time, then have a break and celebrate what’s been achieved. This is particularly effective with children. Set small, achievable goals, and try to stop before they get tired or impatient. To keep them motivated, agree on some little rewards for completing each task.
Provide accessible storage
Wisdom says if it’s harder to put away than to get out, then you’ll take it out once and rarely put it back. So think carefully about the storage you provide, especially for your children, making sure they can tidy up easily. This is often why open storage works well for little ones.
Be sure to store things horizontally, rather than vertically. For example, books piled in a stack will quickly fall over when you try to fish one out from the bottom of the pile. With books stored side-by-side, its easy to get one out, and just as quick to slot it back in place once you’ve finished reading.
Encourage good tidying habits early on, so children get into the routine of putting things back in their “home”. Make “tidy-up time” a regular part of your kids’ daily routine, rather than a chore at the end of every school holiday.
Wisdom says if it’s harder to put away than to get out, then you’ll take it out once and rarely put it back. So think carefully about the storage you provide, especially for your children, making sure they can tidy up easily. This is often why open storage works well for little ones.
Be sure to store things horizontally, rather than vertically. For example, books piled in a stack will quickly fall over when you try to fish one out from the bottom of the pile. With books stored side-by-side, its easy to get one out, and just as quick to slot it back in place once you’ve finished reading.
Encourage good tidying habits early on, so children get into the routine of putting things back in their “home”. Make “tidy-up time” a regular part of your kids’ daily routine, rather than a chore at the end of every school holiday.
Have some fun
Children might not see household chores as hard work if you turn each task into a game. Some healthy competition between siblings to see who can make the biggest pile of toys to give away may well be the motivation they need. Or perhaps for older children coveting a more expensive gadget, they’ll be motivated by selling their unwanted things at a car-boot sale. They could put the profits towards a new gadget or piece of sports equipment.
Children might not see household chores as hard work if you turn each task into a game. Some healthy competition between siblings to see who can make the biggest pile of toys to give away may well be the motivation they need. Or perhaps for older children coveting a more expensive gadget, they’ll be motivated by selling their unwanted things at a car-boot sale. They could put the profits towards a new gadget or piece of sports equipment.
Remember that less is more
Children can become overwhelmed by too much choice. Faced with lots of toys, they can lose their focus very quickly and move onto something else that’s caught their eye. Don’t be afraid to reduce the number of toys they own, and you could encourage them to share any duplicates they might have collected.
Children can become overwhelmed by too much choice. Faced with lots of toys, they can lose their focus very quickly and move onto something else that’s caught their eye. Don’t be afraid to reduce the number of toys they own, and you could encourage them to share any duplicates they might have collected.
Create a fun wardrobe
Ensure that clothes are stored at a height accessible to children, so they can take responsibility for dressing themselves. Provide a laundry basket in the place where your child gets undressed, whether that’s in the bathroom or bedroom. Having accessible wardrobes and a nearby washing bin will get them in the habit of putting dirty clothes in the basket to be washed, and of storing clean clothes for next time.
At the beginning of each season, assess what still fits your child. Wash and pack away anything you’ll keep for a younger one. Label the box with the size of the garments, so you can readily see what’s inside. Alternatively, find a friend or family member you can pass things on to. Don’t forget that charities will recycle worn clothes if they’re not fit for sale, so even pieces that are damaged can be utilised.
Ensure that clothes are stored at a height accessible to children, so they can take responsibility for dressing themselves. Provide a laundry basket in the place where your child gets undressed, whether that’s in the bathroom or bedroom. Having accessible wardrobes and a nearby washing bin will get them in the habit of putting dirty clothes in the basket to be washed, and of storing clean clothes for next time.
At the beginning of each season, assess what still fits your child. Wash and pack away anything you’ll keep for a younger one. Label the box with the size of the garments, so you can readily see what’s inside. Alternatively, find a friend or family member you can pass things on to. Don’t forget that charities will recycle worn clothes if they’re not fit for sale, so even pieces that are damaged can be utilised.
Set storage boundaries
Remember the mantra, “Declutter first, storage second.” Once you’ve decluttered, you can then reassess your storage options. Children are very visual and often like to be able to see things, so clear plastic storage containers are a good option. Alternatively, open tubs like these are great for larger items. If the containers you already have are opaque, get the kids to create a label for each box, shelf, drawer or cupboard.
In a few weeks or months when the boxes start to overflow, you’ll know it’s time to clear out another few items. By restricting your storage space and decluttering little and often, you’ll build much healthier habits than having a big purge every few years.
Do you have any more hints and tips for decluttering with kids? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
Remember the mantra, “Declutter first, storage second.” Once you’ve decluttered, you can then reassess your storage options. Children are very visual and often like to be able to see things, so clear plastic storage containers are a good option. Alternatively, open tubs like these are great for larger items. If the containers you already have are opaque, get the kids to create a label for each box, shelf, drawer or cupboard.
In a few weeks or months when the boxes start to overflow, you’ll know it’s time to clear out another few items. By restricting your storage space and decluttering little and often, you’ll build much healthier habits than having a big purge every few years.
Do you have any more hints and tips for decluttering with kids? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
Let your children know you’re sorting out a few clothes to give to charity, or tidying your home office. Show them what you’re doing and simply explain why. The reason for having a clear-out will be different for everyone, but by establishing an objective, you’ll motivate yourself and your family.
Letting them see you decluttering and explaining why you’re doing it provides your children with a great example to follow. If they can see you’ve assessed and reduced your wardrobe, or your jewellery collection, then hopefully they’ll be much happier for you to help them with their own clothes and beloved teddies.
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