How to Declutter with Kids Before Christmas (and Survive the Process)

Alright, parents. The holiday season is upon us, and your house is about to get even more chaotic. So before the avalanche of new gifts arrives, it’s time to tackle that toy mountain that’s been slowly overtaking your living room, one misplaced LEGO piece at a time.

Decluttering with kids is no small feat, but with a little bit of planning (and a healthy dose of caffeine), you can do it. Here’s your step-by-step guide to getting your home organized and keeping your sanity intact, all while avoiding the dreaded “I might play with this someday!” tantrum.

Step 1: Set the Scene (and the Mood)

Start by setting the tone for the day. You can’t just spring this on your kids without warning—there needs to be some level of excitement (or at least distraction) to keep everyone on track. Crank up the holiday tunes and get the whole family in the zone.

I recommend a mix of fun holiday jams (think “Jingle Bell Rock” or “Feliz Navidad”) and a few of your favorite tunes to keep your energy up. Don’t forget: a little holiday cheer in the form of hot cocoa or coffee for you doesn’t hurt either.

Step 2: Take EVERYTHING Out

This is where the magic happens. To truly declutter, you need to see the full scope of the problem. So, brace yourself: every toy in your house must come out.

Yes, every single one. The legos, the dolls, the stuffed animals, the building blocks, the Hot Wheels cars… you get the picture. Pile them all in the middle of the living room floor. It might look like a disaster zone, but trust me, it’s necessary. You need to visualize the chaos before you can take control of it.

Step 3: Sort, Sort, Sort

Now that you’ve got a sea of toys on the floor, it’s time to categorize them. This is where you bring in the bins, baskets, and boxes. Label them if needed (you’ll thank me later). Here’s the plan:

Barbies? They go in the Barbie bin.
Hot Wheels cars? In the Hot Wheels bin. (See a pattern here?)
Building blocks? In the block bin.
Stuffed animals? In the stuffed animal box.
Random single items or toys missing pieces? Those go straight to the “Maybe” pile.

It’s all about creating zones for everything. Not only does this help with organization, but it also allows your kids to be involved in choosing where things go. Hand them a doll and say, “Where does this one go?” and they’ll feel like they’re making decisions. Plus, if they’re the ones organizing, they’re more likely to actually do it!

Step 4: The Giveaway Bin and Garbage Bag

As you’re sorting through the piles, here comes the tough part: the “Giveaway” bin and the “Trash” bag. I’m going to be honest here—you will get resistance.

But here’s the trick: once the toys are in piles, it’s easier to see what can go. Ask yourself these questions:

Has this toy been used in the last 6 months?
Is it broken beyond repair?
Is there a missing part that makes it impossible to play with?

If the answer is “no,” “yes,” or “probably not,” then into the Giveaway Bin or Trash Bag it goes.

Pro tip: Keep your trash bag and giveaway bin in sight so your kids can see the process happening in real time. This helps them understand that we’re making space for new things, not just throwing everything away.

When it comes to the giveaway bin, if your kids get attached to a particular toy that hasn’t been touched in months, remind them how many other kids might need it. Often, a little guilt goes a long way (“It might help another child who doesn’t have toys like you do…”).

Step 5: Take Breaks & Keep It Fun

Decluttering is no small task, and if you try to do everything in one go, you’ll be miserable—and so will your kids. Set a timer for 20 minutes of sorting, then take a quick 5-minute break. Grab a snack, play a quick game, or dance it out to “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” These mini-breaks will keep everyone motivated and energized.

Step 6: Organize (and Celebrate!)

Once everything is sorted, you can do your final organizing. Stack all the boxes in a way that makes sense for you and your kids (maybe the toy bins go in the closet, the dolls are in the corner, etc.). The goal here is to maintain the new order.

Take a step back, look at the piles of donation bags, and give yourself a big pat on the back. You did it!

Oh, and as a reward for your hard work, feel free to cave and let your kids pick one or two new things (within reason) to play with. It’ll make the whole process feel a little less painful. Plus, it’s good to remind yourself that decluttering doesn’t just make room for new toys—it also teaches your kids the value of giving and sharing. Cue the feel-good music.

Step 7: Maintain Your Sanity

The decluttering is done, but let’s be real here: the mess will return. The toys will pile up again. The “Giveaway Bin” will become the new “I’ll Deal with It Later” pile.

So, here’s the deal: embrace the mess. But now, you have a system in place, and you can continue to keep things organized with a simple “put it back where it belongs” rule. When Christmas gifts arrive, you’ll have room for everything new—and a much clearer path to walk through your house without tripping over stray Hot Wheels.

Bonus Tip: If All Else Fails, Hide the Toys

When in doubt, just hide some toys in the back of the closet for a couple of weeks. After Christmas, when the new presents come in, take the old ones back out and surprise your kids with “new” toys they forgot they even had. It’s like Christmas in January.

Good luck with your decluttering adventure, and may your holiday season be filled with more joy—and less stuff—this year!