Why Families Need to Declutter With Their Kids - Not For Them

Sarah
34 minutes ago
2 min read

As parents, we’ve all had that moment: stepping on a LEGO barefoot, tripping over a doll stroller, or opening a drawer only to find it stuffed with tiny, tangled things that don’t even belong there. The instinct is to swoop in after bedtime and “just deal with it.” Quietly donate the toys they never use. Toss the broken stuff. Hide the clutter.

But here’s the truth: Decluttering for your kids might make things tidy — but decluttering with your kids is what actually transforms your home.

It’s Not Just About Stuff — It’s About Skills

When children are involved in deciding what stays and what goes, they’re building skills that go way beyond organizing:

Decision-making: Choosing what to keep helps them reflect on their interests and needs.
Responsibility: When they participate in caring for their space, they feel more ownership.
Emotional intelligence: Learning to let go — even of something once-loved — helps kids manage attachment and practice gratitude.

These aren’t just organizing lessons. These are life lessons.

But What If They Don’t Want to Let Go?

It’s totally normal for kids to resist at first. That’s why we start small. One drawer. One shelf. One toy category.

Instead of framing decluttering as “cleaning up,” we can position it as:

Making space for new creativity
Creating room for their favorites to shine
Helping others by passing on toys they’ve outgrown

When it’s a shared activity — not a punishment — it becomes part of your family culture.

Start with Support: The 30-Day Family Decluttering Challenge

That’s exactly why I created the 30-Day Family Decluttering Challenge — to help families work together in small, doable steps.

Each day includes a simple, 10-minute task that encourages teamwork, reflection, and calm. It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress, together.

Whether your child is 5 or 12, they can take part in age-appropriate ways — and you might be surprised how willing they are to let go when they feel respected and involved.