Decluttering with Kids – 25 Day Organizing challenge
Join me as as I organize my kids’ stuff with a 25 day Decluttering with Kids challenge! Download the free printable 25 day challenge list and follow along. You don’t need to complete the whole thing consecutively – the idea is to slot in just a few days to declutter everything bit by bit. Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links.
Decluttering with kids is one of those things that end up in a “some day sometime” list…
But it doesn’t have to be seen as a single formidable task. Broken down into bite-sized pieces, it’s totally doable.
While the list will be different for everyone, this is a great guideline – just check off those that don’t apply, and when you’re done with this list, there will just be those few that are left.
My first step to decluttering with kids was our playroom closet. I took it shelf-by-shelf, working with M when he was home sick. I made it into something super exciting for him. He gets to organize (new word!) with Mommy! And we found some missing toy treasures (including one that I MAY have hidden on purpose. Perhaps due to the absence of a volume control button on it. It may go missing again in the near future. Unfortunately it has survived the Great Flood of 2018.)
I hope to share the entire process when we’re done (we’re halfway there!)
Stock up on some cleaning supplies, and some storage containers and you’re good to go!
For the rest of the house, I love Sunny Day Family’s declutter checklist – including a list of things to throw away now!
Understanding the Decluttering with Kids challenge terms:
- Organize/sort: Make sure each item has a practical, easy-to-maintain home, sorted with like products. Storage containers are your best friends. My favorite sizes are: A classic shoe box (6qt) size, a 12-18 qt. size, and a larger-but-manageable 56 qt size. I highly recommend ones with latches, especially for the smaller containers, for long-term results.
- Declutter/go through: Get rid of excess and take measures to prevent future buildup of clutter. Throw out and donate as much as you can, including anything that hasn’t been used in a year (or two for seasonal items.) Send old clothing to threadUP or a similar service, or donate them locally.
- Clean: Wash and disinfect. My favorite products for this are Honest Company’s newly formulated plant-based multi-surface cleaner and Seventh Generation Multi-surface wipes.
- Deep Clean: Just as it sounds – move everything out of the way, and do a much more thorough clean than you do on a normal basis.
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25 Day Decluttering with Kids Challenge:
Download the printable challenge sheet to follow along with our 25 day decluttering with kids challenge!
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The 25 day process:
1. Declutter toy box
2. Clean room mirrors
3. Declutter school bag
4. Clean out school lunch box
5. Go through old school papers
6. Go through kid’s medicine
7. Clean underneath bed
8. Clean kid’s bathroom shelves
9. Go through old clothing (outgrown, stained, etc.)
10. Sort clothing seasonally or by occasion
11. Go through kid’s winter clothing (coats, mittens, etc.)
12. Go through socks and undergarments
13. Declutter movies
14. Declutter books
15. Declutter CDs
16. Declutter basement toys
17. Clean out pool toys (summer)
18. Organize/declutter backyard toys
19. Clean backyard toys
20. Declutter coloring books and art supplies
21. Organize/declutter shoes
22. Organize/declutter clothing accessories
23. Declutter play area
24. Deep clean play area
25. Clean electronics
If you’re following along with the 25 day decluttering with kids challenge, I’d love to hear about the key areas you’re focusing on!
What are your best tips for decluttering with kids? Comment below!
