Teaching Kids to Clean Up and Organize Their Rooms

Guest post by: Mihaela Buzec

When you have kids, staying inside all day long can sometimes result in toys being scattered all around your home. Plus, if you live in a big city, chances are that you’re renting a smaller apartment, so keeping things organized and maximizing your storage space is a must.

image courtesy of RENTCafé

However, staying in is the perfect opportunity to engage your kids in cleaning and organizing activities, which will help them develop a sense of responsibility. In particular, to help your kids internalize these habits, make them as exciting as possible. Below are some tips to help you teach your kids how to clean up and organize their rooms.

Make It a Game

To keep your kids interested and engaged, turn this activity into something fun that they’ll enjoy doing. For example, engage with them and create small competitions centered around who can pick up more toys and put them away. Or, offer small prizes that they can earn when their rooms are clean and organized.

Likewise, model cleanliness yourself and show them that you do it, too. When you’re tidying up your home — whether it’s the kitchen or the living room — keep your kids with you and try to have fun. After all, it doesn’t always have to be a chore, especially when the results can be so satisfying.

Have Proper Storage Solutions

Defining an area for toy storage is crucial. When your kids know where to put their toys when they’re done playing with them, it will be easier for them to clean up and organize. So, consider investing in storage cubes for a smart display, or go for something fun like a storage hammock.

Along the same lines, ensure that the storage cubes or whatever you choose are at your child’s level. This may seem obvious, but sometimes it can slip our minds. For instance, kids need to be able to reach for their belongings in order to grab them or put them back. Similarly, in their closets, add bars at a lower level so they can hang their own clothes or keep them nicely organized in drawers.

Furthermore, adopt certain rules for the storage areas. Specifically, you might require that if they want to get something out, then they also need to put something back in. This way, your kids will get used to the idea that when they’re done reading a book or playing with a toy, they should bring it back and put it away before taking out another one. It’s a small, but very effective trick.

Be Consistent & Patient

For the best results, adopt a proactive attitude each day. Your kids learn by following your example, so incorporate this “organizing is fun” mindset into your everyday activities. Be as consistent as possible when engaging them in organizing activities and, of course, be patient, as it might take some time for your kids to internalize these behaviors.

About the author: Mihaela Buzec is a passionate reader and writer with an affinity for language and linguistics, as well as the latest technological developments. She discovered her passion for real estate at RENTCafé, and you can read more of her articles on their blog.