Organizing With Kids: How to Make It Fun and Actually Work

Let’s be real—organizing with kids can feel a little like brushing your teeth while eating Oreos. But the truth is, kids can be great helpers if we give them the right tools (and keep our expectations realistic). The trick? Make it simple, visual, and fun.

Here are some of our favorite ways to get kids involved in the organizing process:

1. MAKE IT A GAME

Set a timer and see who can put away the most toys before the buzzer.

Try playing “find 5 things that don’t belong in this room.”

Bonus: Add a small reward (think extra story at bedtime or choosing what’s for dinner), and watch their motivation soar.

2. LET THEM DECORATE LABELS

Give your child a set of bins and let them draw pictures or choose stickers to label what goes where.

Bonus: this helps non-readers understand the system too!

Try these:
👉 Chalkboard Bin Labels – reusable and fun to write on
👉 Custom Picture Labels on Etsy – perfect for toy bins!

3. USE OPEN BINS

Skip the lids (trust us) and go for open-top baskets or bins they can easily access and put things back into without help.

Our faves:
👉 Y-Weave Bins from Target – budget-friendly and sturdy3 Sprouts Animal Bins
👉 3 Sprouts Animal Bins from Amazon – adorable and functional!

4. GIVE THEM OWNERSHIP

Give each kid their own bin or shelf for “their stuff.” When kids know where their things go, and that they’re in charge of it, they’re more likely to keep it tidy.

Organizing with kids doesn’t have to be perfect, just possible. And sometimes, having a little help makes all the difference (even if it takes twice as long the first time around!).

Need help creating a kid-friendly organizing system?
Contact us - we’re experts at creating solutions that actually work for real families.