Teaching Kids the Art of Decluttering
The holiday season is full of magic… and stuff.
With Christmas, birthdays, and other special occasions around the corner, many Calgary families are preparing for an influx of new toys, clothes, and gifts. And while the excitement is wonderful, it also makes this the perfect time to teach kids an invaluable life skill: decluttering with purpose.
As a mom and a professional organizer in Calgary, this has become a natural rhythm in our household—something we do together, not just for the sake of tidiness, but to build habits that will serve my kids for life.
Why Decluttering Before Receiving Gifts Matters
When kids learn to “make space for the new,” they learn so much more than organization. They learn:
Gratitude
Mindfulness around possessions
Decision-making skills
A sense of contribution (knowing their items can bless another child)
The difference between “special” and “just taking up space”
Before big gift-giving celebrations like Christmas or birthdays, I encourage families to spend time going through:
Toys
Books
Games
Clothes
Craft supplies
Electronics they’ve outgrown
This practice not only keeps toy rooms, bedrooms, and closets more manageable—it teaches kids the emotional skill of letting go, too.
A Calgary Professional Organizer’s Tip: Make Donating Part of the Tradition
Kids respond incredibly well when the purpose is positive.
Explain to them that another child in Calgary will get to enjoy the toys they no longer play with. It becomes an act of kindness—one they can feel proud of.
I always remind my own children:
“We hold memories in moments, not things. The joy was in playing, not in keeping it forever.”
And for those extra-special items? Take a photo!
A picture can preserve the memory without the clutter.
Create a Decluttering System Kids Can Stick To
One of the simplest and most effective habits you can introduce is the Purge Bin.
What is a Purge Bin?
A bag, basket, or bin that lives somewhere accessible—like the toyroom, mudroom, or a bedroom closet.
Whenever you or your kids come across something they’ve outgrown or no longer want, it goes straight into the Purge Bin. No thinking, no emotional debate, no big clean-out required.
Once it’s full?
You donate it.
This turns decluttering from a once-a-year battle into a normal, stress-free part of daily life.
How This Supports Your Child’s Future Success
Decluttering isn’t just about having a tidy toyroom or organized kids’ bedroom—it’s a life skill.
Kids who learn how to assess what they own, make decisions, and let go of excess grow up to be:
Better at managing time and responsibilities
Less overwhelmed by “stuff”
More intentional with purchases
More capable of maintaining their own spaces as teens and adults
Emotionally adaptable when things change
Teaching this early builds confidence and reduces the stress that clutter often creates.
Why Families in Calgary Love Starting This Habit in December
With colder weather, more indoor play, and holiday gifting on the horizon, December is the perfect month to reset your home’s high-traffic kid spaces.
As a professional organizer supporting families across Calgary and Airdrie, I help many parents with:
Toy room organization
Kids’ bedroom organizing
Decluttering support before move-outs or move-ins
Creating functional play spaces
Setting up systems that kids can actually maintain
And every time, I see the shift—kids feel calmer, parents feel lighter, and the home functions so much better.
If You Need Support, I’m Here to Help
Decluttering with kids doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right systems (and sometimes a little outside help), your home can feel lighter, calmer, and more joyful—just in time for the holidays.
If you’d like personalized support with Calgary toy room organization, kids’ bedroom organizing, or a deeper home reset, I’d love to help your family create a space that truly feels like your happy place.
