Encourage your tot to clear away their toys with these tried-and-tested strategies
Like little whirlwinds, toddlers cause chaos wherever they go. Turn your back and your living room becomes a scene of devastation in seconds, with discarded teddies, upturned trucks and random puzzle pieces scattered over the floor. It's tidy up time, yet again!
Instead of clearing up by yourself, why not encourage your toddler to get involved? Children can start taking responsibility for their belongings from an early age – even a one-year-old can fling their soft toys into a basket.
Mum-of-three Lucy Mansey is one of the UK’s leading organisational experts(@organisedbylucy). ‘It’s important to set good habits from an early age,’ she says. ‘Turn it into a game and give lots of encouragement, and your child will enjoy helping you tidy!’
How to get your toddler to put their stuff away
Tidying up is a win-win for you both, so read on for our best toddler tidying tactics.
Give clear instructions: Make sure your child understands what you expect from them. ‘Use simple language and encourage your child to repeat the instructions back to you. The best way to teach children is through action, so clear up alongside your toddler to show them how to do it,’ says Lucy. ‘By completing tasks and getting positive feedback, your little one will grow in self-esteem and independence.’
Make it fun: Toddlers love games, so make tidying up a fun activity. You can set a timer and see how many playthings your child can put away before the timer goes off. Or race each other against the clock, seeing who can clear away the most toys. Top tip: let your tot win!
‘Me and my 3-year-old take half the room each. We set the timer for 5 minutes and race to see who can do the best job!’ says Jayden Jones, dad to Imani.
Set a routine: Establish a routine for tidying up. For example, you can make it a rule that your child clears away their toys before bed or before they move on to a new activity. This will help your tot develop good habits and make tidying up a part of their daily life.
‘I have three kids aged 7, 4 and 2 years old, so I know that getting children to tidy is a challenge!’ says Lucy. ‘I encourage my children to put away what they’ve been playing with before moving onto the next thing, as otherwise it soon becomes complete and utter chaos!’
Use positive reinforcement: When your toddler does a good job of tidying up, praise them. You can also use a reward system, such as stickers or small treats, to encourage them to keep up the good work.
'Our toddler loves getting a sticker on his chart when he puts his toys away,’ says Olivia Davis, mum to Arthur, 2.
Rotate toys: Little ones get overwhelmed easily, so limit the number of toys they get to play with each day. As well as reducing toy clutter, this can improve their focus and spark new creative play.
‘I rotate toys, bringing out a different selection each week,’ says mum Ashley Downie, mum to Leo, 2. ‘He never gets bored with his toys now, he’s more engaged, and it’s made tidying up 10 times easier.’
Use visuals: Toddlers respond well to visual aids. You can create a picture chart that shows the steps for tidying up. Or take photos of your child putting away toys and create a visual reminder for them.
‘I stuck picture labels on our baskets and boxes to show my daughter what goes where. It’s working brilliantly,’ says Maryama Ahmad, mum to Zara, 21 months.
Make it age-appropriate: Keep in mind that your toddler may not be able to tidy up all their toys at once. Break the task into smaller steps suited to their abilities and praise them as they finish each step.
‘Play games with younger ones, like “Can we throw all the Duplo back into the basket?” or, “How quickly can we tidy this puzzle away?”’ says Lucy. ‘This encourages small children to complete the task. With older kids, give them specific instructions, “I want you to put all your dressing up clothes away before we get the crafts out.” Be clear and concise.’
Get motivated with music: Find a toddler tidying song on YouTube and turn the volume up! We love The Clean Up Song by The Singing Walrus with its catchy tune and simple lyrics. It should get even the most reluctant toddler motivated to clear their mess! Or join in with Nigel and Giovanna to sing the CBeebies Tidy Up Song. It's only one and a half minutes long, so we put it on repeat until our mess is sorted…
Be consistent: ‘Consistency is key when it comes to teaching your toddler to tidy up. Stick to your routine and expectations, and don't give in to your child's protests or attempts to avoid tidying up. Over time, your little one will learn that tidying up is a non-negotiable part of their day,’ says Lucy.
Organise their toy storage: To make tidying easier, make sure everything has a place. Sturdy open baskets look stylish and make tidying up simple, even for little ones. For your tot's smaller bits and pieces, try click-lid storage boxes with themes including Spiderman and Minnie Mouse.
‘Organisation is vital,’ says Lucy. ‘If there’s a system with a place for everything, even little ones can put their stuff away. Make storage accessible for toys you want them to reach, and keep items that need supervision higher up. You can store craft items such as paper, crayons and felt tips in drawer units, and to save on floor space, invest in a modular shelf unit containing pull-out storage cubes.’
Little household helpers
It's never too early to start teaching your children about household chores and responsibility. It's important to remember that each child develops at their own pace, so the list below is a general guideline. Always supervise your little one, and don’t forget to praise them!
At 12 months+ your toddler can:
Help to put toys away in a toy basket
Help to put dirty clothes in the laundry basket
Wipe up small spills with a cloth
At 18 months+ your toddler can:
Carry small items to their designated place (such as a plastic cup to the sink, a book to the bookshelf)
Dust low furniture with a soft cloth or duster
Clean up spills with a cloth
At 2 years+ your toddler can:
Help to set the table with cutlery
Put away toys and books in their designated place
Help with feeding and caring for pets
At 3 years+ your toddler can:
Make their bed (with your assistance)
Help to water plants with a small watering can
Put away clean dishes in a low cupboard or drawer
Sort laundry into darks and lights
Help to sweep with a small broom or dustpan and brush
