When it’s time to de-clutter and clean, approach the kids room like any other. Take baby steps and do one thing at a time. First, skim away trash. Then, hamper dirty laundry. Move on to big stuff and fill in with parts and pieces. You don’t have to be the cleaning fairy, magically whisking it all away. With your child in the room, walk through the baby steps out loud to demystify the process and invite junior to get involved.
Encourage your child to share their thoughts and ideas, and praise their efforts and contributions along the way. By involving them in the decision-making process, they will feel a sense of ownership over their space and be more likely to maintain its cleanliness and organization in the future. By making cleaning and organizing a collaborative and interactive experience, you can teach your child valuable skills while creating a cleaner, more organized, and inviting room for them to enjoy.
Lower the bar
Try a walk around the room on your knees (or better yet, enlist your 12-year old). From this perspective, you’ll soon find out what’s hard to reach. Make it easy for your kids to pick up after playtime or hang up a sweater by lowering hooks, bars and shelves. Stepstools can help, but for safety and ease, lower is better. Consider doubling up on clothing bars-one low and within your child’s reach, the other higher for special clothes requiring your help.
A well-organized space saves you time, money and stress. It can also provide the perfect opportunity to teach about giving and sharing. As you organize, invite your child to think about which toys are favorites—and which could be given away to become the favorites of a little boy or girl who has less.
Remember to make the organizing process enjoyable and engaging for your child. Celebrate their efforts, offer guidance when needed, and create a space that reflects their individuality and interests.
Keep it safe
Children (and sleep-deprived adults) are prone to bumping into things and grabbing onto anything nearby for balance or support. Stabilize structures that toddlers may topple. Remove their temptation to reach higher than they should by keeping off-limit items child-locked or out of sight. Choose ouch-free organizers with rounded edges. Avoid sharp corners or protruding edges that may pose a danger to your child. Soft fabric bins, baskets, or storage containers with smooth edges can be great options for storing toys, books, or other belongings.
Place their favorite toys or books in accessible storage bins or on lower shelves, allowing them to independently access and enjoy their belongings without the need for assistance.
Remember, the safety of your child should always be a top priority when organizing their space. By taking precautions such as stabilizing furniture, child-proofing hazardous items, choosing safe organizers, and arranging items within their reach, you can create a secure and child-friendly environment that promotes independence and minimizes the risk of accidents or injuries.
Eliminate monster hiding places
Do monsters lurk beneath the beds? You can scare them away permanently by packing their habitat with baskets or bins containing seldom-used toys, or off-season outfits. If your floors are hardwood or laminate, consider storage on casters for easy sliding. No more room for monsters-or clutter. With a simple push, you’ll have access to the hidden treasures stored beneath the bed, ensuring everything is neatly stowed away and ready for the next adventure.
So, bid farewell to any worries or fears. Embrace a cheerful and organized approach to under-bed storage, where imagination thrives and monsters have no place. Your child’s room will become a joyful and inviting space, where laughter, dreams, and adventure reign supreme.
Label and teach
Show your kids where things are supposed to go with picture and word labels. Books. Blocks. Pants. Pajamas. While you build good habits, you can help kids make meaningful connections between words, illustrations and actual objects.
Incorporate bright colors, playful illustrations, and bold, easy-to-read words. For instance, a label for books can feature a smiling bookworm surrounded by colorful books, while a label for blocks can showcase a tower of blocks with the word “Blocks” written in a playful font. These labels will capture your child’s attention and make organization a delightful experience.
Make it a joint project: Involve your child in the labeling process to make it even more engaging and meaningful. Allow them to choose the colors, draw or decorate the labels, and place them on the corresponding storage containers. This collaboration will not only nurture their creativity but also help them develop a sense of ownership and responsibility for their belongings.
Express without mess
Designate shelves, tack boards or other special areas for artistic display-giving your child an outlet for personal expression and a sense of responsibility for the room. As they get older, your child may use these spaces to display trophies, aced report cards, or other items of inspiration. Encourage your child to create vision boards that reflect their goals, dreams, and aspirations. They can cut out pictures, write affirmations, or add visual representations of the things they want to achieve. This practice helps them stay focused and motivated as they work towards their desired future.
Gather and show
Tired of your child emptying out the dumpster-sized toy chest? Try providing smaller boxes, bins and baskets in easy-to-access places. In these, you can round up smaller toys, parts and pieces. Opt for clear or coated wire containers, as they allow your child to see what’s inside without having to overturn them. This promotes independent play and prevents the need for your child to empty out the entire storage unit to find a particular toy.
The coating on the wire containers adds an extra layer of protection, preventing any sharp edges from being exposed. This is especially important when it comes to child safety, as it minimizes the risk of accidental cuts or injuries while your child interacts with the containers.
Another advantage of these containers is their versatility. Their open design allows for proper air circulation, preventing any musty odors or mold from developing. Moreover, their lightweight nature makes them easily portable, so your child can effortlessly carry their favorite toys from one area to another.
Avoid sticky situations
When it comes to children and their playful adventures, it’s no secret that unexpected mishaps can occur. Jelly sandwiches may find their way into the toy area, crayons might accidentally leave colorful marks, or a piece of chewed gum could make an appearance. To combat these inevitable occurrences, it’s wise to choose surfaces that are easy to clean and resistant to stains.
Choosing surfaces that wipe clean effortlessly saves you time and effort in maintaining a tidy play environment. Materials such as laminated wood, smooth plastic, or vinyl-coated fabrics are excellent choices. These surfaces can be quickly wiped down with a damp cloth or mild cleaning solution, effectively removing any sticky residue or unwanted marks left behind by playful accidents.
