As parents, we’ve all been there, stepping on stray toys, drowning in piles of laundry, and wondering if the house will ever feel tidy again. Keeping a clean and organized home when you have kids can seem like an impossible task. But don’t worry! With a few clever parenting hacks, you can make it a fun and enjoyable task for everyone. Here are our best seven tips to make tidying up a breeze with the help of your kids!
1. Toy Rotation Magic
Too many toys out at once can lead to chaos, and before you know it you can’t see the floor anymore. We recommend creating a toy rotation system. Pack away half of the toys and switch them out every few weeks. This helps reduce clutter and also makes the “new” toys feel exciting for your kids! Half the time your kids will forget the toys packed away don’t exist until you bring them back out to play a week later.
2. The Five-Minute Family Blitz
Turn tidying into a family activity with a five-minute blitz. Set a timer, crank up some music, and challenge everyone to tidy as much as they can before the timer goes off.
Why It Works: Short bursts of effort are manageable for kids, and the teamwork aspect makes it feel less like a chore. It also creates excitement with minimal time on the clock. Don’t make this more than a five minute activity.
3. Sandwich Shop Blanket Folding Station
Blankets are a home essential and can be found in bedrooms, play rooms and the living room. However, they can easily add to the clutter if not stored properly.
A fun way to keep blankets stored away neatly after playtime is by folding them in a fun roleplay-type game. I’m sure we have all been rolled into a blanket burrito at some point as a kid, which is where this idea comes from.
Gather up all the blankets in your home that need folding or putting away in your living room and turn your space into a sandwich shop! With plenty of different blanket folding techniques, ask your kids to fold them up like a wrap, burrito, sandwich or any other foods they might resonate with.
4. Laundry Basket Trick
Here’s a game-changer: Keep a laundry basket in every high-traffic room. Throughout the day, toss stray items into the basket. Before bedtime, do a quick sweep to return everything to its proper place.
Bonus: Involve the kids by letting them “deliver” items back to their homes like it’s like a mini treasure hunt!
5. One-In-One-Out Rule
Kids love collecting things, but clutter can build up fast. Introduce the “one-in-one-out” rule: for every new item they bring home, they need to donate or discard an old one.
Teaching Moment: This not only keeps things tidy but also encourages generosity and thoughtful decision-making.
6. Daily Declutter Stations
Designate small declutter stations in busy areas like the kitchen or living room. Use trays, baskets, or boxes to catch everyday items like keys, mail, and random toys. This is especially great if you have just done some decluttering yourself, and you want to keep the space looking at its best.
Quick Fix: At the end of the day, sort and clear out these stations to keep clutter from taking over.
Photo by Taylor Heery
7. Rewards Chart
A classic and effective hack to keep your kids accountable in a fun way is a rewards chart. Make them work towards something they want like a new toy or weekend activity by rewarding tidy behaviour.
Don’t make it too hard for them, otherwise this can be discouraging. Involve fun stickers and check marks for completed activities such as
- All toys in the basket before 8:00pm
- Make bed in the morning
- Leave sink clean after brushing teeth
You can have fun and keep the peace!
Keeping a tidy home as a parent doesn’t have to feel like an impossible task. With a bit of planning, teamwork, and creativity, you can transform the chaos into a manageable routine.
From our best 7 tips on how to incorporate fun into daily chores such as rotating toys, assigning zones, and turning clean-up into a fun family activity, you’ll not only keep clutter at bay but also teach your kids valuable life skills.
Simple tricks like the laundry basket system and declutter stations can make everyday tidying more efficient, while strategies like rewards charts and rotating responsibilities keep everyone engaged.
Have your own tidying hacks? We’d love to hear them! Share your tips in the comments below on what works for you at home. Or, if you try one of ours, let us know how they went! We would love to hear from you.
