7 Things To Toss Before Your Kids Are Home All Summer

It’s the second most wonderful time of the year. Our yards are in bloom, the worst of the summer heat hasn’t quite kicked in yet, and the promise of a summer without lunch boxes, homework, and early-morning alarm clocks is upon us. But, before it’s time to throw our structured days to the wayside for a few months, you’ve got to make it through the tornado of recitals, awards ceremonies, and field days known as Maycember. As if that wasn’t enough, we’re here to remind you of one more task that might not be on your calendar but should be: a kids’ room cleanout.

“When school’s out, life gets louder, messier, and more chaotic,” says Rachel Rosenthal, Organizational Expert and Post-it Brand Ambassador. “Plus, the end of the school year is a natural reset—kids are more willing to part with things they’ve outgrown, both physically and emotionally.”

To help you tackle this project, Rosenthal shares which items you should target in your clean-out so you can get on with a summer that’s all fun and no clutter.

What To Know Before You Start

There’s so much to love about everyone being home for the summer. This season might mean more family time and meals around the table, but it also might mean a little more chaos.

“The less stuff you have to manage, the more space you create—for calm, for connection, and for actually enjoying your time together,” says Rosenthal. “When every drawer is overflowing and every surface is covered, even simple routines like getting out the door or cleaning up after dinner become harder than they need to be.”

To help ensure your summer is full of activities—whether planned or spontaneous—with fun at the forefront, focus on creating a home that feels lighter and more organized, Rosenthal suggests. This will help set a calm tone from the start. “Clearing the clutter isn’t just about stuff,” she says. “It’s about making space for the kind of summer you actually want to have.”

Items to Toss In Your Kids’ Rooms Now

Old School Papers

This easy win should be at the top of your cleanout list. Toss the math tests, social studies quizzes, and science lab notes, but do be sure to hang on to a few mementos from the year that feel special. Kindergarten family portraits with the artist’s name signed in crayon, a creative writing assignment, or any other piece that feels particularly sweet or impressive is worth hanging on to, but Rosenthal says the rest of those paper piles should get the heave-ho.

Books They’ve Outgrown

Their bookshelves are the perfect opportunity for an edit. “Donate the books they’ve moved past and make room for summer reads that match their current age and interests,” says Rosenthal. If there’s a classic or favorite book that holds a special place in their heart or yours, feel free to hang onto it, but go ahead and donate the rest. If you want to give back to your school, checking to see if they can use these pre-loved books is a great way to do it—just make sure they’re in top shape so they don’t become someone else’s problem to deal with.

Past-Their-Prime Art and Craft Supplies

The art supplies tend to become a problem in record time, particularly if you have a crafter on your hands. Ensuring these supplies are properly stored and organized can help, but frequent pick-throughs for broken crayons or dried-up markers can be more beneficial than you might think. As Rosenthal says, cracked, dried-out markers and broken crayons are just taking up space. Toss them, then inventory where you might need to restock for the summer of crafting ahead. 

Toys They No Longer Play With

This is one that can certainly benefit from a cleanout when the kids aren’t underfoot because, let’s admit, toys can be hard to part with. Luckily, cooler heads can prevail if you take each toy on a case-by-case basis. “If it hasn’t been touched in months, it’s probably ready for a new home,” says Rosenthal.

Clothes That Don’t Fit

Tackle the clothes with a zone strategy. Start with one dresser drawer, then move on to the next. When tackling the closet, focus on hanging clothes or shoes before moving on to the next category. This strategy can ensure you’re able to tackle the job from start to finish in a neat and not-at-all overwhelming way. To help determine which items should be tossed or donated, Rosenthal says a few key factors can tell you everything you need to know. “If it’s too small, stained, or worn out, out it goes,” she says. “You’ll free up space for the stuff they’ll actually wear this summer.”

Single Socks

One is the loneliest number, particularly when it comes to socks. “If it’s been solo for more than a week, the match isn’t coming back,” Rosenthal admits. “Let it go—your sock drawer will thank you.” If you hate the waste, consider adding the absorbent cotton varieties to your rag bucket for use in dusting or shining furniture.

Random Knickknacks They’ve Acquired Over the Year

Rosenthal says it’s time to reclaim your drawers. Toss those little trinkets, stickers, and plastic toys. Then grab an empty container to have on hand when new ones inevitably begin to show up again. Just toss them in the bin, and you’ll be able to quickly work out this cleanout item the next time you’re looking to declutter.