Summer is here! The kids are out of school and you have so many family activities and vacations planned that you’re jumping up and down. With all you have planned, you’re worried your house will suffer while the kids are out for summer. We have some great tips to help you stay on top of house cleaning so you can enjoy more family time.
Organize The Entryway
With the sun shining it’s inevitable that your kids will be in and out of the house many times during the day. If you’re lucky enough to have a mudroom now is the time to clean out the winter boots and coats and stock it with weather appropriate gear. Keep rain coats, boots and light jackets on hand to prepare for those summer storms. If you don’t have a mud room try to organize a space near your front door to have an area for these items for playing outside.
We recommend a pair of easy slip on shoes for each family member. Check out the article One Simple Step That Can Keep Child Healthy to learn more about keeping germs at bay. Along with shoes and rain gear, keep sunscreen visible and accessible so you don’t forget to put it on every time the kids are ready to run out the door. We love The Healthy Baby Block from Lavanila for our little ones.
Organize Toys
Keeping kids toys neat and tidy is no easy task, we know! Finding a fun way to organize them can help. If toys are organized in an intuitive way for kids, they can help keep things clean. Take a few minutes between activities to keep things picked up. Consider using a clean up song, or a timer to help motivate your children to spend some time cleaning now, in order to enjoy more free time later. Use stack-able bins like the Badger Basket Storage Cubby as a great alternative to closed off toy boxes.
Use A Chore Chart
Keep a chore chart in an area that is visible by the entire family. In the morning, after breakfast, have everyone choose a chore and take care of it right away so you will have the rest of the day to play and enjoy summer. Be sure and choose age appropriate chores for your kids, and don’t be afraid to assign chores to even your toddlers. Little ones can help pick up toys or wipe down kitchen chairs.
Find A Routine
Finding a rhythm to your days can be a tremendous help when it comes to squeezing in time for cleaning between all the fun activities you want to enjoy over the summer. Starting a routine from day one of summer break will help get kids (and parents) into the groove of summer.
Photo Credit: Little Miss Eclectic Photography
