Summer Sanity: 8 Realistic Tips To Keep Your House In Order When Your Home is Buzzing With Kids

Listen.  I know the constant flurry of toys, spills, and kiddie chaos can make it seem impossible to maintain order, especially during Summer Break!  But you can create some sense of order while the children are home.

Summer entertaining with family and friends usually adds more little people to the equation.  So how does one realistically keep the house clean with kids around? 

{Whips out my Mrs. Cr8 bag of tricks!}

Here are 8 easy tips that will help you keep your house in order when your home is buzzing with kids this Summer:

 

1. Set Expectations

Before the playing starts share the ground rules.  In my house I have 3 easy rules, you are welcome to borrow them.

 

Then if anything goes left, refer to these 3 simple rules and redirect.

Remember, children thrive with boundaries and encouragement.

2. Play Clean

Playing clean means having the best time with toys but cleaning up that batch of toys before moving onto the next one.  If you’ve been here a while, then you know I’m a fan of toys on a theme.  You can read more about that here.   If the toys they are playing with make sense for that toy theme, then play on.  If not, it’s time to tidy up the first toy situation before moving onto the next.

3. Paper Plates

OBVIOUSLY! Matter of fact, pull out ALL of the paper goods + plastic ware, cups, and bowls!

4. Beach Towels

Give each child a beach towel bestie.  This is their towel for their stay.  Use this beach towel to:

• cover their chair
• keep surfaces clean while crafting
• picnic with snacks on the floor
• manage drips on the couch

The beach towel bestie will keep your chairs intact and areas clean while you are managing/hosting children.  Just snatch them up, shake them up, and throw them in washer when they leave.  

You can also use this same strategy with throw blankets. It just depends on what you have on hand.

5. Designated Cups + Cup Area

We are not washing cups all day and night for the chitterlings.  If you do not have enough juice boxes or the children are too big for those 5 sips, then you need a cup plan.  Try this; Give each child a colored cup, or a paper cup with their initials or a number.  No need to worry about spills all over the house because we drink right here in the kitchen or outside.   When the child is done drinking show them the ‘Cup Spot.’  They are welcome to come back and get a sip anytime but this is where the cups stay.  Then when it’s time for snack or a meal, refill the cups.  When the children are done for the day, have them put their cup in in the dishwasher or throw their cup away. Heavy on the HAVE THEM.

You could be extra, invest in 100 cups with lids off amazon for more spill proof situation.  (Don’t forget to recycle.). Or, you could tell the children who are visiting to bring a water bottle and use the same Cup Spot strategy.

6. Special Helpers

You don’t have to do it alone. In fact, you shouldn’t!  If a child can walk, then they are able to participate in cleaning up.  Of course, clean-up is easier for all when everything has a home. That’s a whole other post, stay tuned. In the meantime, gas the children up with praise + special titles as you encourage them to help.

7. Sing + Be Silly

Instead of fussing + huffing + puffing, get your point across by singing made-up songs about what you want the children to do.  You will be pleasantly surprised with how quickly they chime in and fall in line.  (To know me in real life, is to know I cannot sing but I will absolutely make a song about it and drag you with me!)

8. Take it outside

That’s the beauty of Summer, there’s so much to do outside.  So let them Summer!  Remember GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY?  Bless the children with that same experience.   Let them know where they are allowed to go and play and what they can play with.  Once you do this a few times, they know GO OUTSIDE means.  Since the children are growing and changing, it’s okay to review these things as they grow.   The things they are allowed to do and play with may change too,  

Let them play.  Set them up on tablecloths, yoga mats, blankets in the shade if you must.  C’mon outside!  Check out this post for more ideas for outdoor play.

Let me know if this post helps you keep your home in order while the children are home. Feel free to share what’s in your bag of tricks in the comments below.

C’mon Summer Sanity!  We got this!