Want to try to keep your home organised during summer holidays? You'll find some useful tips here.

If you’re dreading the thought of your beautifully organised home descending into chaos the moment the school holidays begin, you’re not alone. Many parents find themselves wondering how to maintain some semblance of order when the children are home all day, creating mess faster than you can clean it up.

The good news? You don’t need to spend your entire summer holidays playing catch-up with housework. With a few simple strategies that work with your family’s rhythm rather than against it, you can keep your home comfortable and manageable throughout the break.

Create designated activity zones

Rather than trying to keep children’s activities confined to their bedrooms, embrace the reality that they’ll want to play throughout the house. Set up specific zones for different activities – perhaps the kitchen table becomes the arts and crafts station, while one corner of the sitting room is designated for building blocks or puzzles.

Use baskets or storage boxes to keep supplies contained within each zone. When it’s time to switch activities, everything has a clear home to return to. This system works particularly well if you have multiple children of different ages, as each can have their own designated space without constantly disrupting each other.

Label storage boxes with both words and pictures so younger children can easily identify where things belong. This small step makes tidying up much more achievable for little ones who want to help but might struggle with reading.

Implement the “10-minute tidy” routine

One of the most effective strategies busy parents swear by is the 10-minute tidy. Set a timer for 10 minutes twice daily – perhaps before lunch and before dinner – and have the whole family blitz one area of the house.

Make it feel less like a chore by putting on energetic music and turning it into a game. Children often respond well to challenges like “Can you put away all the books before this song ends?” or “Let’s see who can make their bed the fastest.”

The beauty of this approach is that it prevents the overwhelming build-up of mess that can make you feel like you’re drowning in clutter. Even if things get messy again afterwards, you know it’s only ever 10 minutes away from being manageable again.

Set up rotating toy storage

If your children’s toy collection seems to expand exponentially during the holidays, consider implementing a rotation system. Pack away two-thirds of their toys in clearly labelled boxes, keeping only one-third accessible at any time.

Every week or two, swap the boxes around. You’ll be amazed at how excited children get about toys they haven’t seen for a fortnight – it’s like Christmas morning all over again. This system also dramatically reduces the amount of tidying required on a daily basis.

Store the “inactive” toy boxes in a cupboard, under beds, or in the garage. Make sure they’re easily accessible to you but out of sight from curious little eyes who might feel compelled to drag everything out at once.

Get children involved in age-appropriate tasks

Rather than shouldering all the organisational burden yourself, look for ways to involve your children that feel empowering rather than punitive. Even toddlers can sort socks or match lids to containers, while older children might take responsibility for keeping their own spaces tidy.

Create visual charts or checklists that show children exactly what’s expected. For younger children, use pictures rather than words. A simple drawing of a made bed, toys in a basket, and clothes in the hamper can guide them through their morning routine independently.

Praise effort over perfection. If your five-year-old’s attempt at making their bed looks wonky, resist the urge to redo it immediately. The goal is building helpful habits, not achieving hotel-standard results.

Embrace “good enough” standards

Perhaps the most important strategy of all is adjusting your expectations for the summer months. Your home doesn’t need to look like it did during term time when everyone was out of the house for most of the day.

Focus on keeping key areas functional – clear pathways through rooms, clean kitchen surfaces for meal preparation, and tidy bathroom spaces. If the playroom looks like a tornado hit it, but it’s contained to that one space, that’s absolutely fine.

Remember that children learn through play, exploration, and yes, sometimes making a bit of mess. A perfectly pristine home isn’t necessarily a happy home, especially during the holidays when everyone’s spending more time together.

Plan for the tricky times

Every parent knows there are certain times of day when chaos tends to reign – often late afternoon when everyone’s getting cranky, or first thing in the morning when you’re trying to get everyone fed and dressed.

Prepare for these moments by having specific strategies ready. Perhaps you set up a special “quiet time” box with activities that come out only when you need 20 minutes to get dinner started. Or maybe you establish a rule that everyone must tidy their immediate area before breakfast can begin.

Having these systems in place before you need them makes those challenging moments much more manageable. You’re not trying to think of solutions while dealing with tired, hungry children – you already know exactly what to do.

Make it sustainable for yourself

The most important person to consider in your home organisation strategy is you. If a system feels overwhelming or adds stress to your day, it’s not working, regardless of how well it might look on paper.

Start with just one or two changes and see how they feel after a week. Once those become natural habits, you can always add more strategies. The goal is to support your family’s wellbeing, not create another source of pressure.

Remember, every family is different. What works brilliantly for your neighbour might be a disaster in your household, and that’s perfectly normal. Trust yourself to know what feels right for your family’s unique rhythm and needs.

The summer holidays are meant to be a time of connection, rest, and enjoyment for your family. With a few simple organisational strategies in place, you can spend less time worrying about the state of your house and more time making those precious memories that make the holidays special.