5 Tips to Encourage Children to Tidy Up Without Tears

If you’re a parent, you’ll know the frustration of stepping on Lego bricks, finding crayons under the sofa or discovering that every toy in the house has somehow migrated into the living room. Getting children to tidy up after themselves can feel like a battle - but it doesn’t have to be. With the right strategies, you can teach your little ones the habit of tidying in a way that feels manageable (and maybe even fun!)

Here are five practical tips to encourage your children to tidy up and reduce the daily mess stress.

1. Give a Warning Before Tidy-Up Time

Imagine you’re deep in a book or working on a project and someone suddenly tells you to stop and clean - frustrating, right? Children feel the same way.

That’s why giving a warning is so important. Depending on your child’s age, you can:

• Use a time-based warning: “In five minutes, we’ll start tidying up.”

• Use a task-based warning (great for younger children): “When you finish this puzzle, it’s time to clear away.”

This helps them prepare mentally and avoids sudden resistance.

2. Help Them Get Started

Children aren’t born knowing how to tidy - they need to learn. Sometimes the mess feels overwhelming and they don’t know where to begin. Show them how to put toys back in the right place and stay nearby to support them. Even confident tidy-uppers often need encouragement to get going. By modelling the behaviour, you’re teaching them step by step what tidying actually looks like. In time, you'll be able to step back more.

3. Turn Tidying Into a Game

A timer can make tidying feel like a fun challenge instead of a chore. Say: “Let’s see if we can beat the clock and tidy this room in five minutes!” If timers create too much pressure for your child, try using a tidy-up song instead. Music makes the process feel playful and helps children associate cleaning with fun, not nagging.

4. Use Photos as a Guide

Sometimes children need a clear example of what 'tidy' looks like. Take photos of each play area when it’s neat and stick them nearby as a reference. This way, when you say, “Please tidy up the craft table,” your child can look at the photo and know exactly what’s expected. It helps them develop independence and consistency over time. It's also great if you've got other adults in the house that might need a reminder too!

5. Declutter to Make Tidying Easier

Did you know that when children (especially under 5) have too many toys, they often feel overwhelmed and find it harder to focus? Decluttering not only reduces mess but also makes it easier for children to manage their own play space. Keep out only a few toys at a time and rotate them regularly. Fewer choices = less overwhelm + faster tidying.

Final Thoughts

Encouraging children to tidy up is about building habits, not demanding perfection. With clear expectations, playful strategies and a little support, your children will gradually learn that tidying is just part of play. And the best part? A calmer, cleaner home - for everyone.

Hi, I’m Emma, Early Childhood Expert and founder of Everyday. My goal is simple: help parents understand their children better, so connection deepens, guidance becomes clearer and every stage feels a little brighter. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about the extraordinary - it’s about the everyday.