Why is my child so messy?

Children have a different sense of order than adults. Rather, they don't yet have the aesthetic need for everything to look clean and tidy. Hardly any preschool-aged child keeps their room tidy entirely on their own. That's not surprising either, because young children are usually overwhelmed by tidying up. Why the tidying up, even after repeated reminders, doesn't by itself work, may be related to the children's sense of time: Children always live in the moment and do not plan their actions in advance, as adults demand with “FIRST tidy up and THEN play”. But even if it tests your nerves: children have to learn to keep things tidy. Small games or a daily routine help make tidying up less stressful.

General tips for keeping things tidy with children

Make tidying a routine: Children learn through repetition; this also applies to keeping things tidy. Eventually tidying will become routine, even if it takes a bit longer.

Create a system: Tidying up is especially easier in the child's room when everything is clearly organized. Toys should be stored in boxes or baskets, games and books have their own shelf compartments.

Each item has its place: Label baskets and shelf compartments with a picture of the toy that belongs there. Coat hooks and compartments in the shoe cupboard can be labeled with your child's name or with their picture.

Schedule regular times for tidying: Half an hour every evening is ideal for tidying carefully and without time pressure. It is important to stick to these times regularly. That way your child will soon perceive tidying as a natural part of the day.

Don't threaten: "If you don't tidy up your toys, they'll be taken away!" Threats and scolding only put children under pressure and are usually of little help. Better: tidy together calmly.

Sort out toys: If there are too many toys, your child loses track. Sort out rarely used toys so that keeping things tidy becomes easier.

Be a good role model: Children copy their parents' behavior. Leading by example therefore usually works better than constant nagging.

Playful ways to keep things tidy – tips and ideas

Children actually play at almost everything they do. You can make use of that: lighten up the daily tidying with a few small games. Of course you have to be there during tidying and it may take a while until all toys are back in their place. But tidying then gets a positive spin and in the end it's a nice time spent together.

Tidying by color: You say a color or roll a color with a color cube, then help your child store all toys in that color in their place. When everything is put away, move on to another color.

Who knows? If several children are involved, you can accompany tidying with a guessing game. You hold up a toy and ask: Who knows where this belongs? Whoever first shows the correct place or the toy box may choose the next toy. This game also works when unloading the dishwasher or when clothes are lying around.

Tidying with the dice: The dice game is good when lots of small stuff is lying around, such as building blocks, Lego bricks or books. You roll a number and your child has to tidy up as many pieces as the die shows. Then your child may roll and you tidy up the corresponding number, and so on.

Playing while tidying: Children love it when mom or dad play along. You can use that for tidying: all the stuffed animals can go on a big trip into the toy basket together, or the Playmobil pirates protect themselves in the toy box from the attack of a dangerous sea monster. Let your imagination run wild.

Race to tidy up: Two siblings or you and your child each choose a color and then have to tidy up all toys of that color. Whoever finishes first gets a point and whoever has the most points at the end may choose a bedtime story.

Tidy up the child's room?

Our O•O hack for cleaning magic

Usually it only takes a few small tricks and many things become easier during spring cleaning. Then tricky everyday moments in the household turn into wonderfully unforgettable O•Oments. That's why we'll regularly provide you from now on with clever and funny ideas, that are easy to implement. We at HABA lovingly call them our O•O hacks, because they make family life so much more colorful, easier and more beautiful. Let our hacks inspire you, try them out and feel free to share your own clever ideas with us and others!

During spring cleaning time it also means: Tidy up the child's room! But how to enthuse the little ones to, bring order into their own little den to do? The little ones tend to shy away from shovels, brooms & Co. ...

Quick tip: the tape trick!

It makes crumbs, spilled glitter, scraps, eraser bits etc. disappear in no time. All you need is some insulating or other adhesive tape. Simple sticky notes also work great for quickly and thoroughly pick up tiny crumbs.

Here's how:

• Wrap some tape with the sticky side out around your fingers.

• Then let your hand roam like a crumb monster over the surfaces to be cleaned.

You will be amazed at how quickly your kids will clean everything up this way …

O•O hack on the side: What works with hands works just as well with feet. Try it out and “stick one on”!