The No-Nonsense Guide to Organising the Kids
Want to get the kids organised but not sure where to start? Try these five simple steps to get you on your way
Teaching kids the skills to be more organised is about more than just having a tidy home. It’s important to establish a routine that will give them structure and a well-balanced life, and save you time! It’s school holiday time again, so here are five steps to get you started, and make a massive difference straight up.
When arranging clothes in the cupboards, put the items used more often towards the front, then section them so they’re easy to find and, more importantly, easy to put away. If you’re arranging the toy shelf, put the items the kids use most often at the bottom and those less often at the top.
BONUS TIP: Use storage containers on shelves to separate socks and underwear – it will be much easier to keep them in order.
BONUS TIP: Use storage containers on shelves to separate socks and underwear – it will be much easier to keep them in order.
STEP 2: Store bags and sporting gear together
The laundry or garage is a great place for this. When the kids come home from school, get them into the routine of taking out their lunch boxes, water bottles and homework, and leaving their bags and shoes in an allocated spot. Add baskets or small plastic tubs for sporting clothes and equipment in this space.
Keeping everything in the one place will saves you loads of time looking for them as you’re racing out the door to get to school or a sporting activity on time.
The laundry or garage is a great place for this. When the kids come home from school, get them into the routine of taking out their lunch boxes, water bottles and homework, and leaving their bags and shoes in an allocated spot. Add baskets or small plastic tubs for sporting clothes and equipment in this space.
Keeping everything in the one place will saves you loads of time looking for them as you’re racing out the door to get to school or a sporting activity on time.
STEP 3: Create a homework station
What type and where this goes will depend on your kids’ ages. If your kids are older you may want to place a desk in their room, but when they’re still young and needing help, the perfect area could be a section of the kitchen island. Just be sure to give them their own cupboard or drawer close by so they can store all the supplies needed to complete their homework. It’s easier to start a task when everything is easy to find.
What type and where this goes will depend on your kids’ ages. If your kids are older you may want to place a desk in their room, but when they’re still young and needing help, the perfect area could be a section of the kitchen island. Just be sure to give them their own cupboard or drawer close by so they can store all the supplies needed to complete their homework. It’s easier to start a task when everything is easy to find.
STEP 4: Keep the outdoor play zone in check
Most kids play outside on a daily basis – kicking a ball around, playing Nerf battles, playing in a sandpit or jumping on a trampoline. If you place a storage basket or tub outside your back door, this will encourage the kids to put their used toys into it as they walk back inside. They will then be easier to put away.
BONUS TIP: Use a storage basket or tub that can be washed easily to rid it of dirt, sand and grass clippings, etc.
Discover more ways to transform your backyard into a kids’ adventure zone
Most kids play outside on a daily basis – kicking a ball around, playing Nerf battles, playing in a sandpit or jumping on a trampoline. If you place a storage basket or tub outside your back door, this will encourage the kids to put their used toys into it as they walk back inside. They will then be easier to put away.
BONUS TIP: Use a storage basket or tub that can be washed easily to rid it of dirt, sand and grass clippings, etc.
Discover more ways to transform your backyard into a kids’ adventure zone
STEP 5: Learn to love a list
Schedules and lists are a must! Life gets busy and we sometimes feel overwhelmed with our schedules. It is great to get the kids into a routine of looking at a reminder list or schedule so they can prepare for their day. This list can contain all the jobs that need to be done before walking out the door of a morning, what jobs need to be done before going to bed and any school and out-of-school activities for each day. For example, the schedule could read: ‘Tuesday, library today’. Now the kids know they need to take their library bag and book when they leave the house.
BONUS TIP: Placing a whiteboard in your kitchen/family room will ensure it is seen and regularly used.
Schedules and lists are a must! Life gets busy and we sometimes feel overwhelmed with our schedules. It is great to get the kids into a routine of looking at a reminder list or schedule so they can prepare for their day. This list can contain all the jobs that need to be done before walking out the door of a morning, what jobs need to be done before going to bed and any school and out-of-school activities for each day. For example, the schedule could read: ‘Tuesday, library today’. Now the kids know they need to take their library bag and book when they leave the house.
BONUS TIP: Placing a whiteboard in your kitchen/family room will ensure it is seen and regularly used.
Organising and planning ahead allows us to be in the moment more. It’s not about perfection, it’s about having a plan and schedule for your time and place for your things. It is a proven time saver. By implementing some or all of the points mentioned, your kids will start to feel more independent … and think of all the time you will free up to do what you enjoy!
TELL US
What’s your no-nonsense tip for organising the kids? Let us know in the comments section.
MORE
De-Stress Your Kids by Organising Your Home
Child’s Play: 18 Cool Ideas for Kids’ Spaces That Will Keep Them Busy
10 Ways to Make Your Home a Safer Place for Kids
TELL US
What’s your no-nonsense tip for organising the kids? Let us know in the comments section.
MORE
De-Stress Your Kids by Organising Your Home
Child’s Play: 18 Cool Ideas for Kids’ Spaces That Will Keep Them Busy
10 Ways to Make Your Home a Safer Place for Kids
Kids’ rooms incorporate sleep, play and sometimes homework and study. Get it organised. Involve the kids in setting up their rooms or changing them around to function better. It’s important to give them the input on where things will go. This will ensure their things are in the best position for each activity they need to do.
BONUS TIP: If your kids love reading, sort through their books and keep their favourites. Display them on a bookshelf for ease of use, then pop a bean bag down for a reading corner.