8 organizing tips for surviving the summer holidays – keep kids entertained with these easy ideas

School’s out for summer, but while your kid’s might think of it as a vacation, there’s no denying it can be a testing time for parents. Rest assured, there’s plenty of organizing tips for surviving the summer holidays; employ them ahead of time to ensure everyone has a stress-free break, including you. 

Juggling work and chores with organizing activities and childcare can be pretty overwhelming, but organizing a house with kids in mind makes it easier to keep chaos at bay. While downtime and free play are of course the priority, don’t be afraid to introduce children to the concept of chores; introducing kid-friendly home organizing ideas allows them a little independence, which in turn takes some of the the pressure off you. 

‘We all want an organized, clean, and Pinterest-worthy home, but when kids are around, this can be difficult to maintain. Try lowering the bar a little and shift your measuring stick based on happy memories and fun times together, instead’, says Star Hansen, professional organizer and self-proclaimed ‘clutter whisperer’.

Organizing tips for surviving the summer holidays 

We’ve put together some fail-safe organizing tips for surviving the summer holidays, approved by experts and parents alike – and don't forget, the holidays are the perfect time to introduce children to chores!

1. Create a flexible schedule

Taking a more relaxed approach to routine is healthy, but try and stick to some form of schedule. Kids need structure and stability to keep them motivated, and you’ll find it easier to keep track of things, too.

‘A loose daily routine can provide a sense of normalcy and help manage expectations, even during summer break. Include time for chores, learning activities, free play, outdoor fun, and downtime. Get the kids involved in creating the routine so they feel ownership over it’, says professional home organizer Meaghan Kessman.

2. Put together an ‘essentials’ kit

The last thing you want to be doing when trying to get kids ready is scrabbling around for sun block, so set aside a temporary storage box somewhere easily accessible and fill with all the essentials – think water bottles, spare clothing, sunglasses, plasters, activity books, etc. 

Don’t forget to include a satchel so you can grab and go and try organizing an entryway with children in mind to make leaving the house as easy as possible. 

3. Create zones for different activities

Just like you would when organizing a playroom (but on a more temporary basis), designate areas around the house for different activities; playing, reading, creating, winding down, and so on. This gives children clear guidance on what belongs where, and also makes spillages and stains less likely, too (although it's worth organizing cleaning supplies so they're close to hand, just in case!) 

4. Rotate toys and books

Access to tons of toys is the key to keeping kids entertained, right? In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Research shows that children are more likely to engage with a smaller number of toys on offer, so organizing toys into a rotation system should result in longer breaks for you. 

Start with two or three boxes per child and fill each with a mix of toy types and rotate them every week or so to keep things feeling fresh and interesting. You could use the same tactic when organizing children's books, too. 

5. Make tidying easy

One of the things the most organized families have in common is they don’t strive for perfection – mess is a part of family life, and even more so over the summer holidays when you’re spending more time at home. That’s not to say you give up altogether though; open storage and simple systems – as well as finding ways to make cleaning fun – should encourage your family to clean around the house as they go. 

‘Pre-empt the inevitable and set up designated baskets that you and your children can throw loose items into throughout the day, then return them to their original homes before bed. You could also come up with games such as who can gather the most items the fastest, there’s nothing like a bit of gentle competition to get your family on board with chores!’, says Jennifer Ebert, digital editor at Homes & Gardens.  

6. Set up healthy snack options – and prep meals ahead

Encouraging children to choose their own snacks is a healthy way of instilling positive eating habits, plus keeps irritation levels to a minimum – the constant demand for snacks is enough to send any parent over the edge! Set them up for success by being mindful of what’s readily available. 

‘While I believe in supporting children to have balance, there are certain snacks we don’t want them to have access to 100% of the time. Out of sight, out of mind works with children, and vice versa, in sight, in mind. Give fruit, vegetables, and nutritionally valuable snacks prime storage space when organizing a refrigerator and/or when organizing a pantry for children to choose from’, advises childcare expert Kathryn Lord, founder of More to Organizing.  

Decanting can also help with portion control, so consider these reusable food storage bags at Wayfair. 

‘Preparing and freezing meals in advance also helps with the chaos of dinner time, so decluttering and organizing your freezer ahead of the school holidays, or at the beginning of them, is a good idea. I also like to create a meal plan for the week to avoid last-minute cooking stress’, says professional organiser Heather Aiello, founder of The Organized You. 

7. Make their stuff easily accessible

If your children constantly need help accessing things around the house, it can get pretty frustrating, for them and for you. Work through each room ahead of time and move age-appropriate items within easy reach to save yourself going back and forth; remotes, toys, water bottles, stationery, etc. 

‘Placing children’s things at their height gives them the opportunity to do things for themselves’, explains Kathryn Lord. ‘Encouraging good habits will mean they become independent adults and helpful to you along the way – family life is all about teamwork, after all.’ 

Having said this, it’s important you be mindful of those not-so-friendly items, too, particularly when organizing a kitchen with children in mind. Make sensible swaps ahead of time (breakable glassware for plastic cups, unhealthy snacks for nutritious ones, etc) and move unsafe items well out of reach. 

8. Organize outdoor gear

Assuming the weather plays ball, you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors, so you’ll want to get your backyard storage ideas in order. Make it easy to put things away so you’re not tempted to leave items out overnight. Not only will it look messy, but it could result in damage, too. 

‘A designated spot for bikes, scooters, balls, and organizing pool toys helps keep the yard tidy and makes it easier for kids to find what they need. Consider using bins, hooks, or a storage shed to keep everything organized, or free up space by decluttering a garage’, says Meaghan Kessman. 

Encourage kids to help out by investing in child-friendly storage ideas; this Ebern Designs deck box from Wayfair has a soft close mechanism to prevent fingers getting trapped. 

FAQs

How do I keep my house tidy during school holidays? 

It’s not easy, we admit, but it is possible. The trick is to organize with kids in mind, so they can help you keep on top of things; open storage (easier for quick tidying), that's within easy reach (so children can access what they need and put it back again without assistance) and appropriately labeled, incorporated into every room in the house (either hidden away or stylish-looking, ideally). 

Even with these organizing tips, summer holidays can be pretty full-on, so be kind to yourself. Factor in some restful days at home and prioritize self-care, even if it’s just a solo walk or a relaxing bath – you’ll be a more patient parent for it. Most importantly, enjoy the break, it won’t be long before you’re organizing a kid’s room for back to school success!