5 Quick Ways to Organize Kid Clutter

As a Mom who is always on the go and always looking for new ways to save time AND keep things pretty, these quick fixes help me feel sane even though i'm i'm living with a 40lb lunatic. 

This simple list has been put to the test in both my clients homes as well as my own

Designate Homes

01

A Place for Everything and Everything in It's Place

There is a misconceived notion that once our kids hit a certain age, that they are beyond breaking their messy habits. But that is patently untrue. We all have learned (without realizing it) where the silverware goes. Forks with forks, little spoons with little spoons, etc., in fact it is such a natural routine that that victory goes unnoticed by all of us.

In daycare, toddlers are taught from the start to take off shoes at the door, hang jackets in their cubbies, and put lunchboxes in the fridge… Clean up, clean up, every body everywhere… remember that ear worm?

Leading by example and gentle guidance is number one, taking a few minutes as a family before meals and before bedtime will quickly become a routine … Clean up clean up everybody does their share…

Make an Entrance

02

Give The Kid (and yourself) A Drop Zone

If they're old enough to wear shoes, they're old enough to need a “Drop Zone”. Wherever the family enters the home most frequently, be it from the garage door, or front door, set up a drop zone for shoes, back packs, coats etc. Having a designated place to unload the days baggage will quickly become a routine that creates a single place for you to round up lunchboxes, wet umbrellas, coats, and school forms needing review.

If you don't have the space for a mudroom, consider a storage bench big enough for a few pairs of kid shoes and add a drawer divider or two for seasonal necessities such as warm hats + gloves, or sun hats + sunscreen or even backstock of diaper bag essentials like wipes or burp cloths.

Remember pointer #2 up there? Getting kids used to a tidy entry routine is often a habit taught early-on…keep it goin!!

Keep Somethings Accessible

03

It's not about how it looks, it's about how THEY work.

As adults we may like to have things hidden away, but for a visually stimulated child, being able to SEE some of their tools encourages them to USE those tools. And there's a middle ground! Art supplies for smaller kids can be contained in clear bins or jars to keep them tidy, sand easily accesible on a utlilty cart like these from Ikea or The Container store for around $30. Another multitasking piece of equipment, is the OVER THE DOOR ORGANIZER like this Elfa system from The Container Store or this just as good but cheaper Amazon Version

Toy Rotation

04

Rotato-Potato, swap it out to keep it fresh!

Early on in parenthood we learn the virtues of Toy Rotation to keep kids interested (and the home slightly less overrun with “stuff”). I find that having a couple easy to access baskets or bins at kid level is handy for most families BUT ALSO you should determine an out of sight place for lidded bins to keep the rest tucked away.

Some ideas are top shelves in a closet, neatly stored in a garage if you have the space, or even under their bed or crib. I suggest using multiple small to medium bins of matching style that can be labeled and stacked easily for quick identification such as the Sockerbit Bins from Ikea which come in 4 sizes including an under bed size. 

Label It

05

Labeling isn’t reinventing the wheel at this point

Duh. I know you know this. But here's a hot tip: Heck here're two:

There are a million label options in the world. Amazon has pre-printed toy specific labels (Dolls/Cars/Blocks etc.), labels for clothing and accessories, literally anything you can think of.

Etsy has cute little graphics for the smaller, non reading kids, or if your kid is specific about their tastes you could screen grab images and print your own… Little Unicorns, Doll clothes, Tiny Food, Trains etc.

But what really knocks my socks off are QR Code Labels. You can get a preprinted roll of QR code labels from amazon linked to an app. You download the app, upload your content list or photos and WHABAM! Never spend another moment sifting through boxes wondering where your size 8 husky jeans are.

And that’s all she wrote! Enjoy your spaces fam, and remember, organization is like a muscle, you have to exercise it a little every day to keep it strong. And also: perfection isn’t necessary, do a little bit, often, to see big results!

H