Experts Reveal Things From Your Kids’ Room to Get Rid of ASAP

Kids’ rooms have a way of attracting clutter. Between the clothes, the art projects, and so, so many toys, it’s easy for it to feel like it’s bursting at the seams. We tapped professional organizer Laura Kinsella of Urban Organyze for advice on kids’ room items to get rid of.

“Kids’ rooms can become cluttered quickly because children are constantly evolving, and what fit them physically and developmentally six months ago might be completely irrelevant today,” Kinsella says. “Keeping this space organized eliminates daily chaos for both parents and kids, while teaching them decision-making skills and independence. When kids can see and access what they own easily, it leads to fewer lost items, less frustration, and a calm space that supports their growth.”

If you’re not sure where you’ll find the time to tackle it all, remember: Decluttering doesn’t have to take all day. If you take 20 minutes a few times a week and work on getting rid of a certain category of item — like clothing that doesn’t fit or broken toys — you’ll quickly get things to a manageable level.

Keep reading to find out which items a professional organizer wants you to toss from the kids’ room.

Outgrown Clothes, Shoes, and Accessories

Children grow so fast, and there’s no reason to keep clothing, shoes, and accessories that no longer fit. “This could range from character shirts to sequined accessories, or any items that may technically still fit but a child refuses to wear due to style or comfort,” Kinsella says.

If you can’t give the items to someone in your circle, consider donating to a local charity. “Keep a donation bag handy year-round, and do seasonal reviews where your child tries things on, because what fits them this year likely won’t fit next!” she says.

RELATED: Here’s Where to Donate Clothes to Give Them a Second Life

Old Books

Of course, you want to encourage a love of reading as a parent, but understand that your child’s interests and reading levels change, Kinsella says.

“If you’ve got a chapter book reader, clear your shelves of board books and early readers to make room for age-appropriate titles that will keep them engaged. Books on topics they’ve moved past can be donated so other kids can enjoy them, which frees up shelf space for the books your child is actually excited to read and challenged by.”

Defective Toys

Clear out any toys, games, and puzzles that are defective or no longer of interest to your kids. “If you’re unsure if your kid plays with something, create a ‘toy purgatory’ bin where questionable toys go for a trial period,” says Kinsella.

It will only take a few weeks to identify the toys your kids regularly use. “This also teaches kids the value of limits without the pressure of an immediate yes-or-no decision,” she says.

RELATED: Toy Clutter Taking Over? These Tricks Clear It Fast

Broken Crayons

“Dried-out markers, broken crayons, and notebooks with three pages left pile up fast throughout the year,” Kinsella says. She suggests reviewing your child’s supplies during the beginning, middle, and end of every school year.

“Keep functional items in a designated homework caddy or drawer, and recycling or tossing anything that’s no longer usable. This prevents the last-minute scramble when your child actually needs a working glue stick,” she adds.

Excessive Party Favors and Prizes

Don’t be tempted to keep favors from birthday parties, school events, and family functions around for too long. They can pile up quickly. “Give your child one small pouch or box where special items can live, and the rest goes. This teaches kids about intentional limits and how to prioritize what truly matters to them,” Kinsella says.

Art Projects and Schoolwork

Those school projects your kids come home with day after day? Pick a few to store, but feel free to part ways with some to save space. You can also digitize them.

“Toss any routine schoolwork (think completed homework/worksheets) or art that’s overly ripped, stained, or clearly created by the teacher instead of your child,” Kinsella says. “Create a drop zone for art and schoolwork as soon as it comes home, then review it every few months either with your child or independently.”

RELATED: Pro Organizers Want You to Throw Out Your Children’s Artwork

Useless Backpacks

“Kids phase out of styles and sizes quickly, and it’s perfectly okay to move past those items with them. If you’re saving one for a younger sibling, clean it and store it intentionally so it doesn’t get forgotten about and become clutter,” Kinsella says.

Unwanted Bedding and Decor

As you take stock of your child’s bedding and decor, remember that their interests evolve. “Kids’ tastes and needs change dramatically as they grow, and that toddler bedding with cartoon characters or furniture scaled for a five-year-old can make a preteen feel disconnected from their own space,” Kinsella says. “Donate bedding that no longer fits their bed size or style, and consider whether furniture still serves their current needs. A room that matches where they are now helps them feel seen and supported.”

Costumes

As parents, it’s easy to get attached to all the fun costumes your kids have worn over the years. However, it’s not realistic to keep them all. Save space by donating outgrown outfits to families in need, Kinsella suggests.

Needless Sentimental Items

“Sentimental items like artwork, awards, stuffed animals, or special clothing carry emotional weight, but not everything from childhood needs to be kept forever,” Kinsella says.

Proudly display any meaningful pieces, and ditch the rest. Keep those that really “hold strong memories, and let go of duplicates or items that are simply being archived,” she says. “A child’s room should feel like it represents the phase they are in, not a storage unit for their past.”

Extra Storage Bins

Guilty of going overboard with storage bins in your kids’ room? Practice restraint here, Kinsella says. “Having bins may make us feel organized, but if they’re sitting empty or collecting dust, they’re just adding to the clutter. Consider using them in another area of your home, or donating them to reclaim valuable space,” she says.

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