How to Stay Organized Over the Summer with Little Kids (and Only Slightly Lose Your Mind)

Ah, summer. The season of sticky popsicle hands, glittery sidewalk chalk footprints across your floors, and an endless trail of pool towels that somehow never make it to the hamper. If you have little kids at home, you know summer is both magical and chaotic.

But fear not - you can stay organized this summer. You just have to lower your expectations slightly and give yourself some grace.

Here’s how to survive (and even thrive?) this summer without letting your house turn into a scene from Jumanji:

1. Make a Summer Basket for Each Kid

Fill a basket with the things they ask for every five minutes—sunscreen, bathing suit, sun hat, water bottle, sunglasses, a granola bar (or three), and yes, that weird squishy toy they can’t live without.
Pro tip: Place it by the door. Or tape it to the child. Kidding. (Kind of)

2. Snack Zone = Sanity

Clear one lower cabinet or drawer in the kitchen and call it the “Snack Station.” Stock it with parent-approved grab-and-go options.

Now when they say “I’m hunnngggry,” you just point silently and save some of your peace.

3. Create a Loose Daily Rhythm (but Keep It Chill)

You don’t need a military-grade schedule, but a simple rhythm like:

Breakfast – Outside time – Snack – Creative play – Lunch – Screen time – Free play – Dinner – Collapse in bed
…will help everyone know what to expect—and reduce your chances of being ambushed with slime at 3 p.m.

4. Rotate Toys

Too many toys = overwhelmed kids and a floor you can't see.
Pack up half the toys and stash them away. Mid-July, when the "I'm boooored" whining reaches new heights, rotate in the hidden stash and suddenly you're everyone's favorite

5. Contain the Chaos

Create a “Drop Zone” near the front door. Hooks for backpacks, bins for shoes, a basket for summer camp flyers and library books. That way you’re not playing daily hide-and-seek with a left Croc while already 10 minutes late.

6. Designate One “Reset Time” a Day

Pick one time a day—before lunch, after dinner, during your third iced coffee—and do a 10-minute family clean-up.
Crank the music. Make it fun. Bribe them if you have to. (Organizing is a team sport. Especially when snacks are involved)

7. Give Yourself Grace. And a Popsicle.

Your home will not be perfect. But it can still function well and feel good to be in.
And when it doesn’t? Step outside. Breathe. Hose the children down. Start again tomorrow.

Let’s Be Real: You Don’t Have to Do This Alone.

Want help setting up systems that actually work for your family, even in the summer chaos? I'm here to help you create a home that supports your real life, not some Pinterest fantasy.

Book a summer organizing session now—we’ll get your systems kid-proofed, summer-proofed, and meltdown-minimized.

Let’s create your haven.

Because you deserve a summer that’s a little more sunshine and a lot less “where’s your other shoe?!”

‍

‍