Family Friendly Organizing: Tips for Keeping Your Home Tidy with Kids Home on Summer Break
Family-Friendly Organizing
Warm temperatures, long days, and plenty of beach or pool time signal that summer break is here! While it’s the perfect time for fun and family memories, it can also mean more clutter around the house. As a former teacher and professional home organizer in Glenview, Illinois, I’ve put together expert tips to help you maintain a tidy, kid-friendly home—and included fun organizing games for the whole family!
Family-Friendly Decluttering and Home Organization
Declutter Regularly: Tackle each room by sorting items into bins: keep, donate, and trash. Encourage kids to participate to teach responsibility and reduce clutter.
Game Idea – Toss Game: Turn decluttering into a contest! Toss soft or unbreakable items into bins from a short distance. Set clear rules and examples to keep it fun.
Establish Routines: Set daily and weekly organizing routines. Assign age-appropriate chores to children and integrate them into daily life for consistent results.
Game Idea – Race to the Finish Line: Use a timer and see who can pick up a room the fastest. Offer small rewards, like popsicles or a trip to the library, to motivate kids while establishing lasting habits.
Create a Family Command Center: Designate a space for a calendar, bulletin board, and storage of summer essentials like pool toys, sunscreen, and insect repellent. This keeps everyone informed and organized.
Storage Solutions for a Kid-Friendly Home
Invest in Accessible Storage: Use low shelves, labeled bins, and baskets for easy access. Color-coded bins make sorting visually fun and engaging.
Game Idea – Sorting Race: Challenge kids to sort items into bins as quickly as possible. Add a timer for extra excitement.
Use Vertical Space: Install shelves or wall-mounted organizers to maximize storage, especially in smaller homes.
Create Drop Zones: Designate areas near entryways for shoes, backpacks, and sports equipment to prevent scattered items.
Game Idea – Scavenger Hunt: Turn tidying drop zones into a game. Have kids locate items on a list and put them away for small rewards.
Outdoor Organizing Tips
Organize Outdoor Play Areas: Designate spaces for outdoor toys and sports gear. Use bins and regular maintenance to keep areas safe and inviting.
Game Idea – Race to the Finish Line: When it’s time to come inside, have kids pick up toys and return them to storage bins as quickly as possible.
Set Up a Garden Station: Dedicate a space for gardening tools and supplies. Involve kids in planting and maintenance to teach responsibility and connect with nature.
More Game Ideas for Fun Organizing
Sorting Race: Turn sorting into a friendly competition. Give each child a bin and set a timer. The goal is to see who can sort and put away their items the fastest. This adds excitement to the organizing process.
Color Match Game: Use color-coded bins or baskets for different categories of toys or clothes. Challenge your kids to match items to the correct bin. This helps with organization and makes tidying up more engaging.
Maintaining a Tidy Home
Regular Maintenance: Schedule weekly family cleaning sessions for dusting, vacuuming, and tidying. This keeps the house organized throughout summer.
Seasonal Rotation: Store out-of-season toys and clothes to reduce clutter and keep your home fresh.
By implementing these family-friendly organizing strategies and game ideas, you can maintain a tidy home while teaching kids valuable life skills. Your Chicago North Shore home can stay organized, fun, and stress-free this summer!
For more tips on decluttering, home organization, and outdoor decorating, explore our SimplyOrganized blog. Ready to get your home organized this summer? Contact SimplyOrganized for professional assistance.