Method One: The Teamwork Tidy (Ages 5+)
This isn’t just about cleaning—it’s about co-creating a space that feels peaceful, proud, and lived in. Here’s how we do it:
🗑 Step 1: The Trash Bag Sweep
Walk into the room together with a trash bag. Do a once-over. Anything obviously broken, torn, or trash-worthy? Gone. This sets the tone: we’re clearing space for what matters.
🧾 Step 2: One Task at a Time
Give your child a single, clear task—like picking up all the papers. While they do that, you (or a sibling) tackle the clothes. When that’s done, move on:
- Child: books, coloring books, notebooks
- You/other child: board games, electronics, random bits
🧱 Step 3: The LEGO Game
Make it fun. Whoever builds the funniest animal out of the Legos they find gets to pick the post-cleaning snack. (You’ll be amazed what a snack incentive can do.)
🧸 Step 4: Big Toys + Letting Go
Time to sort the large toys. Ask: Do you still play with this? If not, it goes in the “clean and donate” pile. This is a gentle way to teach generosity and discernment.
🛏 Step 5: Final Touches
- Make the bed
- Sweep or vacuum the floor
- Put clean clothes away neatly
- Books go in a cubby, shelf, or even a wicker basket—whatever feels tidy and accessible
🧹 Bonus: The Stuffed Animal Ceremony
If the room is overflowing with plushies, invite your child to pick two favorites. The rest? Let them go. Same goes for board games missing pieces or broken toys—thank them for their time, then toss.
