How to Keep Organized with Kids Home for the Summer
Summer is here and while we (may or may not) love having the kids at home 24/7, the extra snacks, toys, art projects, and daily activities can certainly take over an entire apartment. We know the main goal is keep them busy, but there also needs to be a system to keep things running smoothly.
At Shelfie, we believe summer organization should be simple, flexible, and easy to maintain for adults and kids alike. Here’s a few tips to help maintain calm all summer long.
Create a “Summer Station”
Give each child their own bin, label it with their name and include their everyday summer essentials:
Sunscreen
Water bottles
Hats
Swim gear
Bug spray
Backpacks or tote bags
Place them near the front door or in the entry closet so you or the kids can grab what they need before heading out.
Shelfie Tip: We love elfa door racks for categories like this. Pop them onto the back of your closet door with an assortment of mesh baskets and hooks. All of the elements can be adjusted, so we recommend placing kid items low where they can grab and go!
One project at a time
Instead of supplies spread across the kitchen table, keep them contained in labeled bins or on an art cart.
Markers and colored pencils
Paper and stickers
Scissors
Paint and brushes
Glue
Friend of Shelfie, Jamie Rager, says that the golden rule in her home is that her kids must put away one project before another can be brought out. This keeps creativity flowing without turning every surface into a craft station.
Don’t be afraid to rotate or dump
Fun fact! Kids often play with toys and activities longer when they have fewer choices.
Keep one group of toys out and store the rest in a weathertight bin tucked away. When the kids start to tire of that group, bring out different ones to make the most of the toys you have.
Another friend of Shelfie, Jamie Olstein, has a different kind of rotating system. When her kids are out of the house she tosses old toys and the random things they bring home from day camp. They’ll never miss them and it keeps the house from getting cluttered.
Make Cleanup Easy
Children are more likely to tidy up when the system is obvious.
We recommend using open, solid colored bins so there is less visual clutter.
Also be sure to leave enough room above the bins so things are easy to toss in and pull out.
Include easy-to-read labels so everyone in the house knows what’s inside.
Cleanup Tip: Jessica Olstein also recommends filling a bin of misplaced things from around the house for each child. She then puts that bin front of their bedroom door, and then tells them they have 10 minutes to put everything away or it’s going in the garbage.
Your Summer Challenge
Filter through:
Broken toys
Outgrown books
Dried up paint and markers
Empty or expired sunscreen and bug spray
Old camp or school papers
Collect the things you don’t use and don’t need and throw out or donate a bag. Less stuff to manage means more time to enjoy summer.
Ready for a Calmer Summer?
Whether you need help organizing a playroom, creating kid-friendly storage, or resetting your apartment for the summer season, Shelfie can help build systems that actually work for your family. Book Your Summer Reset Session
Here’s to a summer with fewer messes and more memories!
