First - show them.

You can’t expect your little ones to instinctively know how or when to organize their toys. Be sure to show them by doing and be consistent. Consistency helps create lifelong healthy habits.

Remember that by showing your child where their items go - you are literally teaching them. Designate certain containers for their personal items. Show them where their clothing should live. Show them where the cars and the blocks and the bikes go when they’re done with playtime.

Second - patiently remind them.

Just because you told them and showed them where their things go, doesn’t mean your child will magically be amazing at tidying up. Kids have distractions and their own agendas and their own free will! It takes constant, patient reminders and for many parents this can mean reward systems or other systems to help kids make and keep good habits. Organization and tidying up are no different. Be patient and you’ll be amazed at the results over time.

Third - be clear.

Be sure you have designated zones for your child’s items. If you say, put your clothes over there - what does “over there” actually mean? Instead, put your dirty clothes in the hamper in the corner. Or please put your cars in the car bin in the closet. I don’t know about you but I appreciate when adults give me clear direction - same is helpful for little ones when it comes to home organization and tidying up.

Britnee Tanner has a simple recipe for toy organization, as a mom and professional home organizer in Utah herself.

I’m a mom and so when I say I understand the toy multiplying effect, I mean I understand the toy multiplying effect.

And if you’re like many other parents out there, then you try your best to contain them all but some of the containers and bins just don’t match up to the high hopes you had for them when you were at Target or on Amazon and initially purchased them. And that’s the hardest part of it all, isn’t it? You bought the bins. You thought it was a good system (and it probably was pretty good) but the toys continue to multiply.

So what do you do? (Bookmark this one for later!)

First:

Pull out all of the toys. Yep, it might be a lot. Take a look at each and every toy (with your kids if they’re at the age where they care and can weigh in on what stays and goes). Make piles for the broken, the unloved and loved. Don’t forget to turn some music on (make this as pleasant of an experience as possible and it’s always fun for the kids to hear their favorite tunes, too). Set the tone that organizing can be fun!

Second:

Begin sorting into the piles. Talk through which toys are most loved and which ones aren’t. Those toys that don’t get use but that are still in good condition are the perfect candidates to re-home (aka donate to a friend or second-hand shop or other donation center). Recycle or toss anything broken.

Third:

Of the toys that are left, determine what containers are best for storing them. Got tiny LEGOs? Consider bins with lids so those tiny pieces don’t go flying across the room if the bin gets spilled. Got dolls and stuffed animals? Consider larger rope baskets or fabric bins so little ones can take them out and put them back.

At the end, it’s about creating an efficient system - one that works for your family and it’s about repetition. When kids see where their toys go and they can expect those zones, then it becomes easier to put the toys away. And as for you - enjoy your hard work. As you all practice putting things away in their respective bins you’ll start making helpful habits that will last a lifetime!

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3 Ways to Teach Your Kids to Tidy Up and Organize