Simple Living with Kids: How to Declutter, Stay Organized, and Keep a Clean Home

How do you use less stuff when you have kids-while still staying organized, teaching them at home, and keeping the house clean (and somewhat sane)? That’s the question I’ve asked myself over and over again, especially during the chaotic, beautiful, exhausting early years of motherhood.

I’m a mom of two busy boys, a thoughtful, creative four-year-old and a fearless, wild two-year-old. I stay home with them most days while juggling projects, cooking real food, teaching life skills, and trying to keep the clutter (and the crackers) off the floor.

Let me tell you something: it hasn’t always been pretty. But I’ve learned how to use less stuff, simplify our space, and create rhythms that actually work in real life. And yes, you can still teach your kids, keep a semi-clean home, and even sneak in some mama time with fewer toys, fewer bins, and fewer breakdowns (yours and theirs).

Three children engaged in play with colorful toys on a table in a bright room.

The Day I Realized We Had Too Much Stuff

One morning last spring, I opened the playroom closet to grab a puzzle and a bag of pom pom, a homemade grabber toy, and a cracked plastic bin full of papers fell out. I sat down, looked around, and realized we had TOO MUCH STUFF.

So much that my kids weren’t even playing with most of it. So much that I was spending my precious nap time “cleaning” rather than enjoying a hot cup of coffee or prepping a healthy meal.

And honestly? The clutter was making me anxious. My kids were overwhelmed by choices. I was snapping at them. And our home didn’t feel like a peaceful place.

So I started a slow, imperfect journey toward using less stuff, living more intentionally, and organizing in a way that actually works for young kids and real life.

Why Less Stuff Is Better for Kids (and Moms)

There’s a misconception that more toys, more bins, more gadgets = better parenting. But the truth? Kids thrive with less.

Here’s why:

Less stuff = more focus. My boys play longer and more creatively with fewer toys.
Less stuff = less cleanup. Obviously. And when there’s less to clean, it’s easier to teach your kids how to help.
Less stuff = less stress. A tidy, simplified home feels better for everyone.
Less stuff = more connection. When I’m not buried in clutter, I’m more present.

I’ve seen it firsthand. When I rotated toys down to just a small bin and a few open-ended options (blocks, animals, a basket of scarves), my boys played for hours (which is unreal for toddler boys like mine) building forts, making up stories, and even working together (gasp!).

Children playing with colorful building blocks and toys in a home playroom.

Step One: Declutter Like a Mama on a Mission

Let’s be real. Decluttering with toddlers is… a circus. You take something out of the bin and someone’s crying, “BUT I LOVE THAT EMPTY TOILET PAPER ROLL, MOMMY!”

But here’s how I made it work:

1. Start small

Pick ONE drawer. One toy bin. One basket. You don’t need a whole weekend. Start during nap time or while they’re watching a show.

2. Create three piles:

Keep: What they actually play with or wear.
Donate: Still usable, but not loved.
Toss: Broken, missing parts, stained.

3. Rotate toys

Keep a few items out and store the rest. Every few weeks, swap. Instant novelty without buying anything new.

4. Limit duplicates

We don’t need 12 sippy cups or 8 puzzles missing corner pieces. Choose your favorites, donate the rest.

I decluttered one small space each day for two weeks. By the end, I had donated 5 bags, tossed 2, and kept only what we truly use and love. And you know what? My home finally breathed.

5. Keep What Sparks Real Joy

We kept the Legos, of course. We have Legos for days. Like, for days. Because they build everything with them and honestly? I love watching their little imaginations click together with those tiny bricks. It’s one of our few non-negotiables.

Organizing for Real-Life Moms (No Pinterest Perfection Here)

I used to think “organized” meant matching bins, perfect labels, and everything in its place. That’s not real life with kids. Real organization is about accessibility and systems that stick.

Here’s what works for us:

1. Zones, not chaos.

Every room has a purpose:

Living room: Reading and quiet play.
Kitchen: Snack prep and learning (we do a lot of counting and sorting here).
Basement/Outside: Gross motor play and art.
Kids’ rooms: Clothes, sleep, and bedtime books only.

2. One bin per category.

Not fifty bins. Just one for:

Magnatiles
Play food
Dress-up clothes
Cars and trucks

Everything goes back in the same bin every time. It takes training, but it works. My 4-year-old knows exactly where everything goes. My 2-year-old… is learning.

3. Visual labels.

Pictures on bins help littles “read” where things go. I made mine using free clipart and laminated them with packing tape. Super fancy.

4. Accessible cleaning tools.

We keep a kid-size broom and hand vacuum out at all times. When they spill crackers, they help clean. It’s not perfect, but it’s progress.

A child joyfully playing in a messy playroom filled with toys and clothes.

Keeping the House Clean (Without Losing My Mind)

Let’s be honest: keeping a house clean with little kids is like brushing your teeth while eating Oreos. But it’s possible to have a clean enough home that feels good to live in.

Here’s what helps me:

My 20-Minute Reset Method

Twice a day, morning and before bedtime, we do a 20-minute reset. Everyone helps. We:

Throw away trash
Wipe down counters
Vacuum under the table
Reset toys to their bins
Swap the laundry

We put on music and make it a game. My boys love timers, so we race the clock. Is the house spotless? Nope. But it’s peaceful. And I’m not overwhelmed at 8 p.m.

Laundry system:

One (ok most days I try to sneak 2-3, because boys = dirty everything) load a day, start to finish.
Kids help sort and match.
I gave up folding pajamas and play clothes. Rolled into drawers = done. (and the boys can help with this too then!)

Clean as you go:

Wipe counters while the kids eat.
Clean the bathroom while they’re in the tub.
Load the dishwasher after dinner, run it on a 1 hour cycle and empty it before bed- seriously LIFE CHANGING to not have to unload it in the morning.

Little things add up.

Real-Life Wins (and Messy Moments)

Here’s what using less stuff and staying organized has really done for us:

My boys play together longer without fighting.
I spend more time outside with them and less time tidying.
Our home feels calmer.
I enjoy motherhood more.

But I won’t lie, we still have Legos underfoot. We still have crackers on the floor. We still have days where the laundry sits in the basket (or on the couch… for three days).

That’s okay.

Progress over perfection. Always.

You don’t need to be a minimalist mom or an expert organizer to find peace in your home. You just need to start small, be consistent, and let go of the idea that your worth is tied to your stuff.

Your kids don’t need a million toys. They need you. They need open space, simple systems, and a mom who’s not constantly cleaning up, but actually living in the moment with them.

So let’s use less stuff. Let’s create rhythm instead of chaos. Let’s build a home we actually enjoy being in.

You’ve got this, mama.

And if no one’s told you today: what you’re doing matters.

With love,

Bri & Cat

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