How to get children to clean up their toys: 8 tips

by Joost Nusselder Updated on: October 22, 2023

Helping to clean up is one of the best ways to teach them how to keep their own room in order.

It is important that you help them clean up and involve them, because that way they learn it themselves. It's one of the most important skills they learn and they can use it for a lifetime.

Let's see why that is.

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Cleaning up toys can be a challenge for children

Why do children find it difficult to tidy up toys?

Children especially want to play and often don't feel like doing their toys to clean up. Cleaning up is for them toys Not the most fun activity and it can feel like an annoying task. In addition, children often do not yet have the skills to store everything neatly. Finding the right storage space and understanding the functions of different storage systems can still be difficult for them.

How can you make tidying up toys fun for kids?

It is important to clean up toys to be approached as something positive. Make it a pleasant experience by working together and complimenting when things go well. Make it a competition to see who can clean up the fastest or play a clean-up game.

What can you do if you can't clean up toys?

Like cleaning up toys If it doesn't work, it may help to increase the quantity toys to decrease. This doesn't mean you have it all toys need to get rid of it, but you may be able to hide part of it and reveal it later. In addition, it can help to look at the child's needs together with your child. Perhaps there is a need for separate play areas or chairs around it toys to store.

All in all, it's important to clean up toys take it seriously and make it a challenge together. It may take a while for your children to get the hang of it, but with patience and perseverance they will be fine.

Why is it important for children to learn how to tidy up?

Responsibility and independence

When children learn to tidy up from an early age, they learn to take responsibility for their belongings and their environment. They learn that once they're done playing, they... toys have to clean up. This is an important lesson that they will take with them into their adult lives. By being structured and organized, they can grow up more confident and independent.

An orderly environment is necessary

Research shows that people feel better in an orderly environment. A tidy room provides peace of mind and gives a sense of order and control. That is why it is important to teach children to tidy up at a young age. In this way, they grow up in an orderly environment and are less likely to have a messy and disorderly household as adults.

Nice activity

Tidying up doesn't have to be boring. It can actually be a fun activity in which you, as a parent, involve your child. For example, start playfully with a toddler by doing it together toys to clean up. Allow the child to complete tasks independently, such as watering plants or setting the table. This way they learn to perform tasks and take responsibility in a fun way.

Happier life

Research shows that people who have a tidy home are happier in life. By teaching children to tidy up, you not only give them an important life lesson, but you also ensure that they grow up happier.

When to start?

It's never too early to start learning how to tidy up. From a young age, children can learn to care for themselves toys to clean up. Involve them in household chores and give them tasks that they can perform independently. This way they learn in a natural way to take responsibility and be independent.

How to motivate kids to help clean up

Start slow and build it up

If you have young children, it is important to realize that they cannot do all the tidying up tasks right from the start. So start with small tasks and build up slowly. This way they get used to the idea of ​​tidying up and see that it is an ordinary task that is part of everyday life.

Make agreements and give clear instructions

Agree in advance what needs to be cleaned up and give clear instructions. Explain why it is important to clean up and what is expected of them. For example, say, "Let's clean up the toy cars together before dinner."

Give compliments and rewards

Praise your children if they do a good job of cleaning up. This can be both material and non-material rewards, such as an extra bedtime reading book or an extra cookie after dinner. The reward system can help make cleaning up more fun and motivate your kids to keep helping.

Make it fun

Tidying up doesn't have to be boring. Turn it into a game and, for example, set a timer for five minutes to see how much stuff can be cleaned up in that time. Or put on some music and turn it into a dance party while you clean up together.

Let your kids help choose their own things

Let your children choose which things they want to tidy up and where they want to store them. This gives them a sense of control and responsibility over their own things, making them more motivated to help.

Correct and warn if necessary

If your children refuse to help clean up, confront them and explain why it's important to work together. If they continue to refuse, issue a warning and explain the consequences if they don't cooperate. Be consistent in this and show that you mean what you say.

For example, we always say that we can do it together now because I am there now, if they wait they will have to do it alone later. That usually works for us.

Start a rite of passage

If it's hard to motivate your kids to help clean up, start a rite of passage. This could include, for example, cleaning up together every Saturday morning before starting the weekend. This gives structure and ensures that tidying up becomes a habit.

It is important to realize that every child is different and some children may take longer to get used to the idea of ​​tidying up than others. Give yourself and your children time and understanding to get used to this. It is also important to remember that it will not always go perfectly and that mistakes are allowed. Talk about it and give each other space to grow and learn.

Tidying up is a skill that children need to learn

Why is it important to teach children how to clean up?

Cleaning up is an important one skill that children need to learn. Not only does it help them keep their environment neat and organized, but it also benefits their development and well-being. Children who learn to tidy up from an early age become happier and more structured as adults.

At what age should children learn to tidy up?

Children can learn to tidy up from an early age. Once they start playing and their room is littered with toys, parents can start teaching clean-up habits. It's important to teach children that tidying up is a logical and interesting way to explore the world around them.

How can parents teach their children to tidy up?

It is important to involve children in cleaning up and show them how to do it. Give children clear instructions and be patient. Talk to them about where it is toys must be stored and name the correct cupboard or box. It is useful to know which toy organizers are the most useful. According to the editorial team, storage boxes, separate storage places for puzzles and booklets and a large storage chest are one of the most useful options.

How do you keep kids tidying up?

It is important to teach children that tidying up is a habit that they must continue. Make it a regular part of the day and clean up an hour before they play. Make sure storage areas are logical and that children know where they are toys can find. If things sometimes turn out to be messy, as a parent you can help a little. Children will pick it up automatically and will eventually clean up faster and more pleasantly.

How do you motivate your child to clean up toys?

The challenge of tidying up toys

Toys Cleaning up can be a challenge for young children. It can seem messy and overwhelming, especially if there are a lot of them toys and storage space is limited.

Set a good example

Children learn by watching adults. If you want your kids to learn how to clean up, you need to lead by example. Show that you clean up after yourself and that you take housekeeping seriously. When your kids see that cleaning up is part of the job, they'll see it as normal and be more motivated to help.

Use handy tricks

There are handy tricks you can use to motivate your kids to tidy up. Here are some examples:

• Make the toy cabinet convenient and accessible so that children can use it easily.
• Give your kids a reward when they tidy up the toys, such as an extra bedtime story.
• Use a timer to help your kids focus on the task and show them how much time they have to clean it up.
• Make agreements with your children about what the playroom looks like. Set rules for certain toys, such as houses or cars, and make sure there is a designated place for each toy.
• Plan a fixed time for cleaning up toys, for example just before dinner. This way it becomes a routine and children know what is expected of them.

Gradually

It's important to remember that learning to tidy up is a process and children need help to tackle it. Start small and gradually work up to larger tasks. Once your kids are used to cleaning up after themselves toys, they can also learn to tidy up other things, such as their room or the floor. Give them time and space to learn and grow, and be patient and supportive. Before you know it, they'll stop turning their noses up at cleaning up after themselves toys and they have a feeling of pride and self-confidence because they did it themselves.

At what age can children learn to tidy up?

Young children and tidying up

Children can learn to clean up from an early age. As soon as a child can walk and grab things, they can learn to put these things away again. It is important to teach children to tidy up at a young age, because it teaches them responsibility and helps them to think in a structured way.

Children from four years and clean up

From about four years old, children can independently tidy up their room. It is good to teach children at this age how to tidy up their things and where to leave them. It is important to make tidying up fun and enjoyable at this age so that children see it as a positive experience.

A handy system for storing toys

Why is a toy storage system important?

A crowded room with toys can be overwhelming for children and it can be difficult to stay neat. A system for toys storage can help keep the room organized and teach children to tidy up.

Which materials and textures ensure that children quickly learn to tidy up?

When choosing materials and textures for a system for toys storage, it is important to think about what appeals to children and what entices them to play with. Clear bins or boxes with pictures of it toys can help with it toys can be found quickly. Also, containers with different textures and weights, such as soft fabrics and hard plastic materials, can encourage children to use it toys to clean up.

What is a good example of a toy storage system?

A good example of a system for toys storage involves using open shelves with clearly labeled bins or boxes. This makes it easy for children to do it toys to find and clean up. It can also help toys to categorize, for example by having a separate bin for cars and a separate bin for dolls.

Any other toy storage tips?

Of course there are other tips for storing toys. For example, it can help to have a “come back” box in which the toys that has not been put back in the right place. It can also help toys discard or donate that is no longer used. The most important thing is to find a system that works for the child and to involve the child in the process of cleaning up and organizing.

Help, my child can't tidy up!

What if your child finds cleaning up too complex?

Sometimes tidying things up for kids can be too complex. They may not know where to start or they may not understand what is expected of them. It is important to be patient and help your child understand what is expected of him or her. Explain clearly in advance what needs to be done and possibly give an example.

What if your child is too lazy to tidy up?

Sometimes your child may be too lazy to clean up. It's important to help your child understand that putting away things is a... skill that he or she must learn. Explain why it is important to declutter and what the benefits are. Point out to your child that he or she will be demonstrably more successful in school and in his or her career if he or she does this skill controlled.

What if your child doesn't know where to start?

Your child may not know where to start cleaning up. It's important to help your child understand where to start. Give clear instructions and point out to your child that it is important to first divide the big problem into smaller pieces.

What if your child is embarrassed about his or her messy room?

Sometimes your child may be embarrassed by his or her messy room. It's important to help your child understand that it's normal to have a messy room from time to time and that it's okay to ask for help. Tell your child that you are always there to help and that you understand that cleaning up can be difficult at times.

What if your child is constantly distracted while cleaning up?

Sometimes your child may be constantly distracted while cleaning up. It's important to help your child focus on cleaning up. Explain that it is important to finish the task before doing anything else. Give your child a place where they can work without distractions, such as a desk or table.

What if your child doesn't know how to keep track of what needs to be cleaned up?

Sometimes your child may not know how to keep track of what needs to be cleaned up. It's important to help your child understand the importance of keeping track of what needs to be cleaned up. Make a list of tasks that need to be done and have your child check off what has already been done.

What if your child sees tidying up as a complicated task?

Your child may view tidying up as a complicated task. It's important to help your child understand that cleaning up is a chore skill that he or she must learn. Explain why it is important to declutter and what the benefits are. Point out to your child that he or she will be demonstrably more successful in school and in his or her career if he or she does this skill controlled.

Conclusion

It is important to teach children to tidy up at a young age so that they grow up with an orderly environment and feel better.

It is important to motivate them and help them see cleaning up as a fun activity, where you play together or make a competition.

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.