Teaching Kids to Declutter: The Perfect Age and Strategies

In my work as a decluttering expert with families, I’ve observed that children typically aren't as sentimentally connected to their belongings as their parents. Adults often say things like, 'Are you sure you want to give that away? You loved it!' even though the item has been outgrown.

Kids are not burdened by the emotional ties that adults often have, making their early years the ideal time to introduce the concept of decluttering. This prevents them from equating letting go of items with losing cherished memories later in life.

Here’s the approach I used to help my children part with things they no longer needed or loved.

Making Decluttering a Routine Task

Every weekend, my children were given tasks such as changing their bed sheets, unloading the dishwasher, and cleaning their backpacks. Alongside these chores, they were asked to pick out five items they no longer needed.

By the time my youngest was six, she began to enjoy sorting through her things. Often, she'd rediscover misplaced treasures among the objects she decided to remove, turning the activity into a game.

Using a Bag to Simplify Cleanup

I gave each child a grocery bag to collect anything from trash to items they never used. This included old school papers and broken toys. The aim was to highlight that if something isn't being played with, it might as well be broken.

Adopting a 'One-In, One-Out' Philosophy

While I wasn’t overly rigid, when we returned with new clothes, toys, or sometimes pets, the kids were encouraged to make space by choosing a few items to part with.

This concept was easily understood by my kids. The perspective was simple: with limited space, we have to manage what we keep.

Opting to Regift Instead of Discard

We often passed on beloved games and toys to younger children. My kids found joy in teaching others to play old games before gifting them away. They had no desire to hold onto these just because they were once favorites.

I've noticed in many homes with toy stockpiles, that it's usually the parents who struggle to part with them, not the children.

Reflections on the Decluttering Process

Through this experience, I found that my children appreciated a less cluttered living space. They simply needed guidance in achieving this.

Understanding emotional attachments to items can be challenging. I remembered my reluctance to give away a family toy because it held memories of my mother's childhood loneliness.

I aimed to teach my kids to discern between items they truly valued and those they were merely accustomed to. Burdening life's transitions with unnecessary possessions complicates growth.

My suggestion: Try decluttering with your children. Encourage them to find things they no longer need. Resist any urge to keep those items for yourself.