How to Teach Kids to Tidy?

We often get questions from parents about how to get their kids to tidy up their own toys and messes. It’s a question we’ve often asked ourselves! Tidying definitely doesn’t come automatically for kids. We believe that if you want your kids to be tidy, you need to TEACH them how to tidy. Children love to play and make messes, but they can also learn to tidy up those messes. We use modeling and also tidy books for kids to help teach these skills.

Books on the Topic of Tidying

Emily and I have read lots of books on the topic of tidying and home organization, but many of them did not include specific strategies for tidying with children. So we decided to look in the children’s section for tidy books instead. We read over 30 children’s books on the topic of tidying, from toddler board books to young reader picture books.

It was fascinating to examine the various approaches to tidying and look at the examples of tidying within different homes. However, we found many books that we did not necessarily want to share with our girls. Here were some of the common themes, which we disagreed with:

• Messy people are fun, and tidy people are boring
• Dads make the messes and moms clean the messes up
• Parents get mad when they see their children have been playing and making messes

Our Criteria for Tidy Books

We want our girls to have a healthy relationship with tidying. They can make a mess, and then they can tidy it up. That is a part of life. There were many books that helped to support that theme. We decided to put together a list of our very favorite tidy books for kids. Here was our criteria:

• Present tidying in a “positive” way, with beneficial results
• Teach a tidying skill (sorting items into categorizing, learning to purge or donate, putting things away)
• Present messes as normal and fun (not “bad”), and present tidying as a normal part of a family rhythm
• Balance gender roles, showing that all parents can help their kids with tidying
• Show that when you are tidy, you know where your things belong and can spend more time having fun

If you want to teach your kids to tidy, it can be helpful to start by introducing them to the topic of tidying in an accessible, fun way first. We hope you’ll check out this list of our top tidy books for kids and that they’ll help inspire conversations in your own home!

Our Top Tidy Books for Kids

Mole Had Everything

Mole Had Everything written and illustrated by Jamison Odone – This is a really sweet book about a mole who doesn’t have many possessions, and goes in search of “more”. He learns about whether it’s better to have “everything” in terms of stuff, or in friendships and happiness.

Too Many Carrots

Too Many Carrots written and illustrated by Katy Hudson – Rabbit loves carrots, but a little too much! His beloved collection of carrots begins to crowd him out of his burrow, and he needs some help from his friends.

Fancy Nancy: Too Many Tutus

Too Many Tutus written by Jane O’Connor, illustrations based on the art of Robin Preiss Glasser – Fancy Nancy’s closet is full of tutus, and her class at school decides to have a swap-and-shop to exchange clothes! This is an “I Can Read” level 1 book, perfect for young readers.

I Am Tidy

I Am Tidy written by Jen Porter, illustrated by Katie Saunders – This is a board book to introduce young toddlers to tidying. The child helps to pick up toys and laundry and feels great about learning how to help!

The Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room

The Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room written by Stan & Jan Berenstain – Mama and Papa Bear are frustrated that Brother and Sister can’t seem to tidy up their own room. This is a classic book that teaches about tidying up, organization, and taking care of belongings!

Wally and Mae

Wally and Mae written by Christa Kempter, illustrated by Frauke Weldin – This book is about 2 roommates, 1 who is messy and 1 who is tidy. They both learn lessons from each other!

The Big Tidy-Up

The Big Tidy-Up written by Norah Smaridge, illustrated by Les Gray – A child seems not to notice the mess in her room until her mom decides to stop tidying up for her. At first she ignores the mess, and then she finally gets to work on the big tidy-up of her own room!

Really Rabbits

Really Rabbits written by Virginia Kroll, illustrated by Philomena O’Neil – 2 pet rabbits learn how to open their cage and spend their days completing household chores so the family will have more time to spend with them. When we all work together to do chores, there is more time to play!

Franklin is Messy

Franklin is Messy written by Paulette Bourgeois, illustrated by Brenda Clark – Franklin is independent in a lot of ways, but his room is so messy that he can rarely find his things! He learns that tidying up and taking care of his possessions makes it easier to find his favorite toys too!

You and Me, Little Bear

You and Me, Little Bear written by Marin Waddell, illustrated by Barbara Firth – Little Bear wants to play, but Big Bear has things to do, so they decide to do them together. They fetch wood and water and tidy the cave…together!

Kiki & Jax: The Life-Changing Magic of Friendship

 Kiki and Jax: The Life-Changing Magic of Friendship written by Marie Kondo, co-written and illustrated by Salina Yoon – This book introduces kids to the KonMari method of tidying. It is about 2 friends who tidy together, and shows how tidying up your home can create space for joy in all parts of your life.

I Tidy Up After I Play

I Tidy Up After I Play written and illustrated by Esther Burgueño – This book is part of the “Bit by Bit I Learn More and I Grow Big” series. This is a cute board book that shows that our rooms can look messy after we play, but then we just pick up the mess. The book has a sturdy handle so toddlers can carry it around, and the final page has a before/after lift-the-flap, which is a fun surprise ending!

Jensen Cleans His Room

Jensen Cleans His Room written by Coby Greif, illustrated by Haley Moss – This book follows Jensen as he is confronted with the task of cleaning up his room. He models how to break down this often overwhelming project into smaller, manageable tasks. He teaches kids how to sort, categorize, organize, and also how to deal with items that are no longer needed.

Robbie’s Toys

Robbie’s Toys written by The Go 2 Girls, illustrated by Danh Tran Art – This book is about a little boy with too many toys. His room is a mess and he has no more room to play. The book shares the steps Robbie follows as he learns to sort his toys, donate some, and take care of the ones he wants to keep. It was written by two professional organizers who wanted to introduce organizing to kids in a fun way!

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Need other book ideas? Check out our Candlewick Press Books, Children’s Books, New Holiday Books for Kids, Books for Kids (That Also Teach!), and New Books for Kids.

Thanks for Pinning: The BEST Tidying Books for Kids!

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