7 Organizing Tips for Kids' Rooms

Is your child's room a disaster? A constant struggle? Getting organized is a skill we can teach our kids. This time of year -- with the end of school and the summer wardrobe moving front and center -- is also a perfect time to kick a child's room's clutter.

I've had the pleasure of getting a whole bunch of kids' rooms under control recently and I thought I'd share some tips to reign in your kids' clutter and help them get organized:

1. What kids want: Less is definitely more, whether you’re talking about toys or clothes or books or "stuff.” Imagine a store's toy aisle in December versus the toy selection at a children's museum; or a closet with a towering pile of shirts, versus one with just a few. Which do you think they find more pleasing?

2. Let them help: It is ideal to have your child involved in the decluttering process, both for buy-in and skill development.

3. Decluttering rule: Teach them tools like the “one in, one out” rule. When a new game, toy or article of clothing comes in…one has to go out to make room.

4. Purgatory box: Consider placing old or annoying-to-you toys and tattered-but-beloved clothing in a box that you hide. Throw a date on there. If your children ask for the items, you have the ability to reintroduce them. If not? They can leave the house after a period of time.

5. Kid categories: Ask them what their categories are and where they should live. Do they want shirts organized by color? Maybe they'd like a pile for clothing with their favorite sports team or cartoon character?

6. Labeling: Kids like and benefit from labeling (so do adults!). Can you have them create the labels?

7. Folding: Folding isn't critical; it is more important for items to have a designated home. So let them throw their pajamas in a drawer or a bin, just make sure it's labeled "pajamas."

Kids can help with organizing at any age...little ones can toss toys back into a bin; children a bit older can make their bed and put away laundry; and older kids can do their own laundry, saving you from that task!

Want more? Here are six June tips for organizing with kids and a summer organizing guide for families.