Organizing Tips
Organizing tips added every day. Come back to see more. Or sign up to receive monthly tips via email. (privacy policy)
[mc4wp_form id=”3216″]
20
When switching kids’ summer/winter clothes, mark boxes with the season and sizes so you don’t have to paw through them to know if they’ll fit.
19
Store Crayons & markers in transparent containers that have lids and are stackable—cleanup is easier for your kid’s little fingers. And being able to see inside the containers lets them know what goes where so you don’t need to tell them.
18
When switching kids’ summer/winter clothes, mark boxes with the season and sizes so you don’t have to paw through them to know if they’ll fit.
17
If you need to keep toys in the living room but want to keep them hidden, use decorative, lidded baskets or in a storage ottoman
16
As kids grow older thin-out toys that create redundant experiences; e.g. A remote-control car and a flying drone are both fun but offer similar hand-controlled, solo experiences.
15
If your kids are working on a big lego or puzzle project you can keep them and your house organized by utilizing inexpensive oversized utensil organizers. Your feet will appreciate it.
14
When challenged with space, limit the number of oversized toys (or as we call them furniture toys) that can’t be put away due to their size; i.e. If you’re about to acquire a Barbie mansion, it might be time to find a new home for the play kitchen
13
Move kids’ cereal boxes, bowls and cups to an “I can reach it!” lower cabinet or drawer. Also, put juice boxes, milk and other snacks in an accessible place in the refrigerator and pantry.
12
Keep small treasures in a mason-jar sized container—the size filters out larger things (like party favors) and limits the total amount they can store—periodic “reviews” helps them keep only their very favorites
11
Party favors. A good rule to live by; if you got it for free, get rid of it within a week (if it lasts that long)—donate things like party favors and other freebies that create clutter and don’t outlast your child’s attention span.
10
Kids are better at clean-up when they can see inside of containers and/or can understand a label (words or pictures). Teaching categorization skills early will help them and you.
9
Overwhelmed with stuffed animals? You can tame them (and your kids). Use a bean-bag-chair cover to hold the stuffed animals, which makes for easy cleanup and a cozy kid chair.
And keep them on the same schedule as your child—out during the day to play but when your kids go to bed, so do the animals.
8
Now that your kids are back to school it will be easier to clear out extra toys. You know there are things they have outgrown and won’t miss. And for the ones you’re scared to eliminate, store them away until Valentine’s Day. Set a calendar reminder for February 14th. If they’ve gone unmentioned, let them go.
7
Store placemats, tablecloths, napkins, dish towels, oven mitt, aprons, cookie cutters, salt and pepper shakers, etc., with decorations so it’s all in one place and not taking up valuable space in the kitchen
6
Update your address list now. If you’ve saved holiday envelopes or cards that contain a friends’ new address, transfer it now and recycle the cards. And don’t feel guilty about recycling the ones with photos; you got your yearly update and you’ll get another photo update next year.
5
Don’t keep something in your closet or dresser than you wear once a year—pack up your “ugly sweater”, reindeer socks, snowman tie, and Santa underwear and store them with the rest of your Christmas items—you won’t miss them.
4
Having trouble getting the kids out the door in the morning? Set an alarm or reminder (Alexa is great for this) 5 minutes before you have to leave to get shoes, coats, backpacks, etc. Then set another one for when you have to be out the door. This will keep you on track without having to police your kids.
3
Save and reuse wrinkled gift wrap and tissue paper for protecting fragile ornaments.
2
Holiday Lights: Removing the Christmas tree from your house before removing the lights = fewer pine needles in the house. And then you can throw out any strands that don’t work, not to mention replacing them with 50% off strands now instead of waiting for next December.
1
Before you take down the Christmas tree (or other holiday decorations), gather things you didn’t use (especially things that didn’t get unpacked at all) and let them go. Include things you meant to fix but didn’t, i.e, light strings that stopped working. It will make for an easier December.