As an organizer and a mom, I love helping kids to get organized. Seeing them experience joy in the process lights me up. They’re naturally curious, expressive, and eager to learn—so why not teach them organization skills early?
When kids learn how to release clutter and create order, they set themselves up for lifelong success. Plus, it makes your life as a parent so much easier!
We’ve previously talked about getting your partner on board with home organization. Today, let’s focus on how to get your kids organized with five easy and effective strategies.
1. Use Kid-Friendly Storage at Their Eye Level
Make organization easy for kids by ensuring storage is accessible! Use:
Organizing cubes
Baskets
Under-bed storage
Hooks at their height
When they can see and reach their belongings, they feel more confident cleaning up independently. Plus, they’ll appreciate and engage with their toys more.
2. Involve Them in the Process
A child’s room is their personal sanctuary. Including them in organizing decisions gives them a sense of ownership and helps develop decision-making skills.
Instead of organizing for them, organize with them by:
Letting them decide what stays and what goes
Teaching them to categorize items
Guiding them, but respecting their choices
A Common Mistake to Avoid:
Many parents make the mistake of decluttering behind their child’s back. I remember a story where a mother cleaned out her child’s room while they were away. Here’s her story..
“I remember a time where my mom decided to organize and clean out my room. I was 7 years old and I was spending the night at a friend’s house. When I came home the next day, my toys where not in “their spots” and some of my toys were MIA. I immediately panicked because to me my room was organized. I could tell you where anything was at any given moment. I felt like my mom betrayed me! How could she throw away my favorite things?? (At 7 years old everything is your favorite). My mom spent the next 30 minutes in the community dumpster getting my toys back out.”
Now an adult she recalls she was devastated when she returned. To avoid this, always include your kids in the decluttering process.
3. Encourage Letting Go in a Positive Way
Kids can be surprisingly willing to part with items—if approached the right way. Instead of discouraging their choices, help them understand why they’re ready to move on.
Try these approaches:
Ask questions: “Why do you think you don’t play with this anymore?”
Suggest a seasonal swap box for toys they might want later
Encourage generosity: “Would your younger sibling or a friend enjoy this?”
Teach them about selling or donating to give toys a new home by using apps such as offerup or facebookmarketplace.
By making decluttering a thoughtful process, kids learn healthy habits for managing belongings.
4. Organize by Category (Like-With-Like)
Sorting similar items together makes clean-up easier! Group items into clear categories like:
Legos
Art supplies
Dress-up clothes
Action figures/dolls
When kids know exactly where things go, tidying up becomes quick and stress-free.
5. Use Visual Cues to Teach Limits
Label bins and use visuals to help kids recognize when they have too much of something. When a bin is full, they know it’s time to sort through it and decide what to keep.
Bonus: This makes gift-giving easier! Before birthdays or holidays, a quick glance at their space tells you what they actually need.
The Big Picture: Teaching Kids Organizational Skills for Life
At the end of the day, organization isn’t just about a tidy room—it’s about teaching kids problem-solving, responsibility, and good habits.
By following these five tips, you’ll create a clutter-free home while helping your kids build skills they’ll use forever!
Additional Resources
Need to declutter before tackling your kid’s room? Read this guide on overcoming decluttering fears.
Looking for kid-friendly storage solutions? Check out our favorite bins and baskets.
Tell me: What organizing challenges do you face with your kids? Let’s chat in the comments!
