Keeping a clutter-free home when you have kids can feel like an uphill battle, right? Toys, clothes, books—somehow, they multiply overnight! But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. The key is to tailor your decluttering approach to your child’s age. When we help them develop good habits young, they’ll carry those skills into adulthood.

At The Happy Space Co., we know a few simple strategies tailored to your child’s age, that can create a space that feels organized and stress-free. We also have a kid-specific organizing service, that will get you started off on the right foot!

Here’s our age-by-age guide to making decluttering easy and stress-free for the whole family!

Decluttering tips for every age

0-3 years: you make the call

At this age, decluttering is entirely on you. Babies and toddlers don’t understand “too many toys” yet, so you can set the limits!

Avoid overbuying – it’s tempting to grab every adorable toy, but a few high-quality, engaging toys are better than an overflowing playroom
Try a toy rotation – store some toys away and swap them out every few weeks. It keeps things fresh without adding more clutter
Consider toy rentals – services like Happy Baton let you borrow toys and return them when your child outgrows them—no more piles of unused toys!
Toss the junk without guilt – those random party favors and freebies? Put them aside and see if your child even notices. If they don’t, confidently discard them in a few days

3-7 years: “easy wins” together

Now, your child can start learning about decluttering in a fun, low-pressure way.

Make it a team effort – sit together and go through their things. Keep it light and encouraging!
Start with broken or incomplete items – this is an easy place to begin since no one wants a toy that doesn’t work
Use a “Keep, Donate, Trash” system – have three bins and let them help decide what happens to each item
Praise their efforts – even if they only let go of a few items, celebrate their progress!

8-12 years: encourage independence

At this stage, kids can take on more responsibility when decluttering.

Tackle one category at a time – clothes, books, toys—breaking it into sections makes it less overwhelming
Respect their decision-making – some kids find it easy to let go, while others struggle with sentimental items. Give them space to decide
Let them set the pace – some will go full speed, others may need breaks. The key is to keep it stress-free
Introduce the “One-In-One-Out” rule – new book? Time to donate an old one. This keeps their space balanced

13-15 years: daily tidying + yearly decluttering

Teenagers can manage their space, but they may need a little guidance to stay on track.

Daily quick cleanups – a 5-minute reset each day prevents mess from piling up
Declutter throughout the year – encourage seasonal cleanouts, especially before holidays and birthdays
Use the “One-In-One-Out” rule – if a new hoodie comes in, an old one should go out
Help if needed, but let them lead – some teens may welcome your help, while others prefer to handle it alone. Respect their approach

15-18 years: balance support with privacy

Older teens are nearly adults and should have control over their space, but some still need help getting started.

Offer help (if they want it) – some teens may want you there for motivation, while others need privacy to work at their own pace
Provide a decluttering checklist – a simple list helps ensure they don’t miss anything. This could include:

Clothes they no longer wear
School papers/books from past years
Random clutter in drawers
Old electronics and chargers
Expired makeup and toiletries

Teach space management – help them set up a system so things don’t pile up again

Setting up a decluttering schedule

Setting a decluttering schedule

Want to make decluttering a regular habit? Try this schedule:

Before birthdays & holidays – make room for new gifts!
At the start of each season – sort through clothes and gear that no longer fit or are out of season
Every school year transition – clear out old school supplies, books, and papers

Check out our “Done-for-you” home organizing service that will help put all the systems in place and get you started with a full home decluttering!

How to maintain a declutter space (for kids!)

Decluttering isn’t a one-time thing—it’s about building lifelong habits. Here are some simple ways to help kids stay organized:

Make cleaning up part of their routine – just like brushing their teeth, tidying should be a daily habit
Set a timer – a quick 5-minute cleanup before bed can keep messes in check
Create a home for everything – label bins and shelves so kids know where things go
Lead by example – show them that you also let go of things you no longer need
Use the right organizing products - our mesh pouches are perfect for everything from board game pieces to currencies to charging wires!

Decluttering doesn’t have to be a battle! By making it a habit and involving your child in the process, you create a home that feels lighter and more joyful. For more expert decluttering tips, visit The Happy Space Co. and let’s make space for what truly matters!

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