Why Kid's Clutter Feels Worse In The Winter (And How To Fix It)

If you feel like your child’s belongings triple in winter, you’re not imagining it. Aside from the fact that you’re probably home more between the frigid temps and winter break, the holidays likely introduce a bunch more stuff into your house. But are you doomed to wallow in kid clutter all winter long? 

Spending more time at home during winter break, holiday gifts, and a lack of storage contribute to more kid clutter. Plus, shorter days zap the motivation to pick up and clean. Tame the chaos by rotating toys, creating drop zones, and doing a little post-holiday decluttering. It’s also wise to lower your expectations slightly to reduce stress around winter clutter.

Don’t give up on a tidy home during the winter. Even with all the extra clutter and time indoors, it’s possible to reduce the hodgepodge of toys, clothing, art supplies, and more. Here’s your plan to tame the chaos and take back control when things start to go sideways.

You’re Not Imagining It — Winter Kid Clutter Is The Worst

Kid clutter feels worse in the winter because most of the time, it is. But why?

Accumulation Of Items

Stuff accumulates throughout the year, and more items add to the pile thanks to holiday gifts. Kids receive presents from relatives, friends, and maybe even the man in the big red suit.  They’re excited about their new acquisitions, trying to play with everything at once, so it all stays out in the open. Even if they attempt to put it away, already full toy bins and shelves create an avalanche effect.

More Time At Home

During the winter months, you might be home more than usual, seeing all the clutter day in and day out. Additionally, your kids are in the house more since schools shut down for winter break and the occasional snow day. And as any parent will attest, when children are home all day, things have a way of creeping out of the woodwork. Suddenly, there are toys you don’t even remember existing scattered across the living room floor, your kid’s bed, your bed, and even the kitchen island.

The house becomes one big giant playground as you desperately try to keep your kids entertained, so you can get something, anything done. There’s nothing wrong with any of this, except that you probably prefer to have things a bit more in order. At the very least, you dream of walking across the family room without twisting an ankle on a LEGO brick or tripping over a tiny truck.

Bulky Winter Wear

Coats, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, boots — winter clothing might be essential to keep kids warm, but it sure takes up a lot of space. If your kids are putting this stuff on every day, it makes sense to keep it easily accessible. However, that often results in pile-ups by your entryway.

Shorter Days And Less Sunshine

When the sun goes down by dinner time, the motivation to clean and tidy typically goes down with it. Shorter days mean less time to organize, pick up, and put away. However, the lack of sunlight can also contribute to increased feelings of lethargy and inactivity. Add cold weather to the mix, and who wouldn’t prefer staying nice and cozy? Snuggling under a blanket with a good movie sounds much more appealing than picking up toys.

How To Fix Winter Kid's Clutter (Or At Least Keep It Manageable)

Depending on how many kids you have, you might not be able to abolish all the winter clutter. (And that’s fine, you don’t need to.) A lot depends on the size of your home, how many gifts your kids receive, and whether you have one kid or five. However, with a few simple steps, you can tame the clutter and keep it manageable as you work through it. Consequently, you can enjoy a calmer, more peaceful home throughout the winter, working your way to being clutter-free by spring.

1. Create “Drop Zones” For Winter Gear

Instead of fighting coats and boots, assign them a home. You don’t have to design a Pinterest-worthy mudroom or foyer. All you need are some hooks (hung at kid height), bins or baskets for gloves and hats, and a mat for boots.

If you have a larger household, assign each child their own basket to keep things easier to find. Use labels on bins, hooks, etc., to help younger kids remember what goes where.

2. Use A Rotation System

After the initial thrill of playing with a new toy subsides, implement a rotation system. Your kids don’t need every toy available all the time. Keep several toys in storage and leave out a few options. Some favorites might remain out all the time, but you’ll likely find that many things can go into rotation.

Be cognizant of where you’re storing what. For example, electronic toys don’t hold up well in humid areas or in extreme temperatures, such as a sweltering attic.nYou can also have rotation systems for books, plush, clothes, and specialized craft supplies. Swap items every few weeks. The benefits of rotating toys go far beyond keeping floors and rooms tidier. Kids enjoy getting a “new” toy every few weeks, and it is also a great way to declutter over time. As you bring out new items, ask your child if they still want it. If they say no, donate it.

3. Take Time To Chill

Chill out — and no, not just because of the frigid temps outside. Chill as in relax, lower the bar, let go a little bit. With the influx of new items and chaos that surrounds the holidays, it’s time to ease your expectations instead of striving for perfect systems. Instead of trying to get overly organized spaces that look like they’re ready for a magazine, focus on small wins. Set realistic goals, such as keeping floors and tabletops clear and walkways safe. It’s all about improving how your home feels and functions, not about being perfect.

4. Schedule Predictable Clean Routines

Expecting your kids to spend hours decluttering or cleaning is a waste of precious energy and brainpower. Instead, make daily, short cleanup sessions a habit. Do them at the same time each day, and limit them to no more than 5 to 10 minutes. Using a song or timer helps maintain everyone’s focus; younger children especially thrive with a cleanup song. These short, regular resets help keep the overall mess manageable, and you’ll likely avoid several meltdowns.

5. Regularly Sort Paper Clutter

Winter brings artwork, projects, holiday cards, random drawings, letters, catalogs, and other piles of paper. Designate one paper zone, whether it’s a bin, basket, or similar container. Go through it weekly to decide what stays, what goes in the trash, and what goes on display. If you showcase several art projects or other pieces, rotate these weekly with some other favorites you keep in a folder. As new pieces come in, revisit these display items to see if any can go.

6. Do A Mini Purge Before And After The Holidays

Get in the habit of doing a mini purge before the holidays and after to help keep clutter to a minimum. The idea of a small decluttering before is to make room for the tidal wave of stuff that’s about to come into your house. But after the holidays, it’s about deciding what you truly value. For every new toy that comes in, can an older one go?

Or do your kids prefer to keep one of their older toys and regift or donate a new one? Pass down clothes that no longer fit, books kids don’t want to read anymore, or toys they no longer play with. Discard broken items, and if your child receives any duplicates, consider donating them to a local charity instead of exchanging them for more toys.

Embrace A Calmer Winter With Less Clutter

Kid's clutter feels worse in the winter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it. Decluttering a few items is helpful, but you don’t have to undergo a massive cleanout. Instead, focus on keeping fewer items out in the open by using a rotation system and creating homes for winter gear, paper, and artwork. Practice regular, small cleanups to keep kids onboard and focused. Finally, lower your expectations a smidge.

Your home doesn’t need to be perfect to be functional, comfortable, and cozy. Give yourself and your kids a little grace when it comes to winter clutter. After all, the winter doesn’t last forever; it’s simply the season of life you’re in at that moment.

Related Guides:

• How To Keep A House Clean With Kids
• Clever Storage Solutions For Kids Who Don’t Put Things Away
• Conquer Clutter Chaos: 8 Common Clutter Zones And How To Fix Them