Decluttering For Kids | How To Teach Healthy Habits

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Instilling good habits is an opportunity we all have. A great way to teach healthy decluttering habits to kids is to model good decluttering behavior. I am sure my mom modeled this behavior at an early age, and this is the reason I came to decluttering, organizing, and cleaning the house naturally. 

It is so easy in today's materialistic world for clutter to easily take over our lives. If you're living a cluttered life, you know all too well how mental and physical health can affect you and your whole family. 

Have you seen the statistics for clutter lately? Check this out! Shocking Clutter Statistics That Should Outrage You

The good news? You have the power to teach your children healthy habits that can help them lead clutter-free lives. By prioritizing experiences, community, and knowledge over material possessions, you’re setting them up for a future less burdened by unnecessary items. But what exactly is the decluttering trap, and why should we care?

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Understanding the Decluttering Trap

The decluttering trap is the vicious cycle of accumulating more and more items without letting go of others, which leads to overwhelming household clutter. This accumulation not only affects your living space but also impacts the family's overall well-being. Families may start feeling trapped by possessions, leading to unnecessary stress.

For best results start with younger children. We all want to spoil our kids by buying more kids' stuff for them, as it should be. This is a good time to start teaching important life skills too like:

• Giving vs Receiving
• Gratitude for what we have while others have little
• If you are not using a board game, school supplies, or any old toys, donating these things to a new home will give another child a chance to enjoy.

It is my experience young kids love to give. I was invited to Anna's first communion, some years ago. I was blown away by the invitation Anna insisted on...'Please bring food items to the food pantry instead of a gift for me'. Something to that effect. This from a 7-year-old child is impressive and I will never forget this. Anna was taught this and it serves her well to this day.

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Teaching Decluttering Habits to Kids is a gift

Your kids deserve a clean, clutter-free environment. Sometimes a child’s bedroom is so filled with old things, a bazillion stuffed animals, an abundance of craft supplies, and just overall too much stuff they don't even know what they have.

A cluttered home can be suffocating to kids too. Breaking free from excessive buying habits means showing children that happiness isn’t about owning more things. We know this and yet we still lean toward spoiling little kids with more stuff.

There is a better way. Many children today are kept so busy with school and extracurricular activities having fewer toys with less clutter and clean rooms will give your child a more relaxing environment. Young children will relax more easily in a room with a few of their favorite things than in a messy room with too much stuff.

Kids are smart and compassionate and allowing them to help others is a good way and an easy thing to present to young kids and older kids.

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Teach Decluttering Habits to Kids For Good Psychological Impact

Clutter isn’t just a physical issue; it’s a psychological one too. The effects of clutter on families can be profound. Studies have shown that clutter can lead to stress, anxiety, and even depression in children and adults alike.

A clutter-free environment fosters a sense of calm and order within the household, creating a sanctuary rather than chaos.

This calm can free up the mind to focus better on learning and creativity. As a lifelong artist I feel sad today some children who have excessive screen time have no time to express themselves creatively. Creativity has always been a saving grace for me.

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Showing Decluttering Habits to Kids Instills Values Over Materialism

Teaching kids to value experiences over things is one of the most crucial steps in avoiding the decluttering trap. By focusing on what truly enriches their lives—experiences, relationships, and personal growth—you steer them away from the never-ending cycle of materialism.

Encouraging Experiences Over Things

One practical way to teach these values is by prioritizing experiences. Whether it's a family hike, a day at the beach, a children;s museum, or exploring a new hobby, these adventures create lasting memories and deep bonds.

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I taught art to kids and adults for years. Occasionally I run into these former students and they describe how important that experience was to them. They regret today they lack easy access to exploring creativity, due to time, money and other things..

Research shows that spending money on experiences rather than possessions brings longer-lasting happiness and satisfaction. 

Embracing Decluttering Habits to Kids Fosters a Sense of Community

Community involvement is another pillar that can help reduce the focus on material goods. Encourage children to engage in community service or local events. You will be helping them understand the importance of connection and generosity.

Through these activities, kids learn that giving and participating create a ripple effect of happiness and satisfaction.

​I know from personal experience older children have a lot of valuable information to teach older people and vice versa. It has always been a dream of mine to start a drop-in center where all age groups are encouraged and welcomed to join together and share knowledge.

This type of attention can be a self-esteem booster for all ages, especially children.

Teaching the Importance of Giving

Generosity is a powerful tool against clutter. Teaching kids to share or donate items they no longer use is a gift that keeps on giving!

Let your kids enjoy this great feeling of giving while reducing the accumulation of clutter and unnecessary items.

Grab a copy of the Free Resource Guide I made that lists where to donate all types of household items from large to small often with a free home pick-up.

Creating a Routine for Decluttering

Establishing a regular decluttering routine can make this process educational and even fun. Set specific times to go through closets and toy boxes, deciding together what to keep and what to donate. This not only teaches organization but also empathy, as children learn the impact their donations can have on others.

Sharing Knowledge and Skills

Sharing knowledge and skills is as important as teaching physical decluttering methods. By focusing on learning and creativity, children understand the joy of creation rather than consumption.

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What if our world today was not filled with gatekeeping information and if we were more of a sharing culture? I get both sides of this discussion, especially as a business person who needs to support herself.

There is a sweet spot where we can develop, and share ideas, techniques, and strategies with fair pricing. This way those who can afford it will and those who cannot will still have the opportunity to learn

I taught art in for-fee school programs. The terms of my agreement with the school's administration includes donating a minimum of two free classes to students.

This allows financially challenged families to be introduced to art. Making enough money to live is a good feeling. Knowing you made a difference in a little one's life is equally as cool. These kids may not have ever had the opportunity to experience their creativity.

Teaching Decluttering Habits to Kids Can Teach About the Repurposing of Items.

Engage children in DIY projects to spark their creativity and reduce the constant desire for new items. Simple crafts, building projects, or even cooking can fulfill their creative needs and teach them essential skills.

Living a clutter-free life is an ongoing journey, and the earlier kids start, the better prepared they’ll be. Instilling values that prioritize experiences, community, and knowledge over clutter is a gift.

Teaching kids healthy habits to live clutter-free isn’t just about tidying up—it’s about crafting a framework for a more balanced and fulfilling life. With these habits, they can move forward without the heavy burden of clutter holding them back.

Every time you model your good decluttering habits you are reinforcing living with intention. Isn't living with intention after all what life is all about?

Marj Bates is a life long ridiculously organized declutter-er and artist. Less is more are words Marj lives by in everything she does except collecting dogs. “Dogs are like potato chips! Can’t have just one.” says Marj. Marj wonders if growing up with a fanatically clean Jewish mom means her decluttering and organizational skills are in her blood.

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