Keeping the Playroom Tidy: Simple Tips for a Clean and Fun Kids Play Area

The loft or playroom is often one of the most used (and most chaotic) spaces in the home, especially if you have kids. It’s a place for imagination to run wild, toys to scatter and games to be played, but it can quickly turn into a cluttered mess. Keeping this space clean can feel overwhelming, but with a few simple habits, you can maintain a tidy and fun environment for your children to enjoy.

It’s also probably the room that needs to be decluttered the most often. Are there toys that the kids don’t play with, if so get rid of them. Having too many toys can overwhelm a child and make playing harder for them. Or if they do play with all the toys is the cleanup too overwhelming for them because there is so much stuff. Isabella plays so well with her toys and can play for hours. But when she goes to clean up it’s so overwhelming for her. JJ on the other hand gets overwhelmed by a lot of toys, so we have simplified his room and play area. 

Don’t worry I will dive into this more below. 

Here are some easy tips to help keep your playroom or loft area clean and organized:

1. Establish a Clean Up Routine

In our home, we have a simple rule: clean up one mess before starting another. We put this into place for Isabella who is so good at playing and can go from one thing to another and make a huge mess. This does make cleaning up a little bit easier. While it doesn’t always go perfectly, it works most of the time and makes the end-of-day clean-up much smoother. Teaching kids to put away their toys after playtime not only keeps the space tidy but also builds good habits. Set a specific time each day for clean-up, whether it’s before dinner or just before bed. Make it fun by turning it into a game or playing their favorite clean-up song. The more consistent you are, the easier it becomes!

2. Use Storage Bins and Shelving

I will say before you go and invest in the shelving and bins, go through your toys, so you know what you need. Invest in kid-friendly storage solutions like labeled bins, baskets or cubbies. Use open shelving or toy bins for easy access, and make sure each toy has a home. Group toys by category (e.g., dolls, cars, puzzles) to make it easier to put things back where they belong. Each one of our kids has their lego area. The girls have lego tables and JJ likes to play with his legs on the floor. So we put a sheet down for hom, so they stay contained. 

3. Limit the Number of Toys

It’s easy for the playroom to get overloaded with toys, many of which might not get used regularly. Consider rotating toys by storing half away and switching them out every few weeks. This keeps the space less cluttered and keeps the kids excited about their “new” toys when they come back out. Our loft (playroom) is limited to legos, games and puzzles. It’s also where we let the kids watch movies. 

4. Quick Vacuum and Dust

Since playrooms are high-traffic areas, it’s helpful to vacuum every few days, especially around high-use zones like the play rug or under the table. A quick pass with the vacuum will keep dust, crumbs and small toy pieces from building up. If your kids are older they can do this themselves. 

5. Weekly Decluttering

Once a week, take 10-15 minutes to declutter the space. Remove broken toys, toss out art supplies that have seen better days and make sure everything is in its proper place. This will help prevent clutter from building up over time. This is huge for keeping the space clean and organized. 

6. Designate a Space for Art and Craft Supplies (if you play area is also your craft area)

Art projects are wonderful for creativity but can get messy fast. Set up a designated area with clear storage for markers, crayons, paper and glue. Keep these supplies separate from toys to avoid unnecessary messes. Our craft area is downstairs at our kitchen table. 

7. Make Cleaning a Family Activity

Get the whole family involved in maintaining the play area. Assign age-appropriate tasks to each child, like sorting toys by type or stacking books. By making cleaning part of your family’s routine, you teach your kids valuable responsibility and teamwork.

8. Declutter Regularly

I have learned that kids outgrow toys quickly. Every few months, I go through the playroom and declutter. I donate or try to sell the toys that my kids no longer use or have outgrown to keep the space functional and prevent overcrowding.

A clean playroom will make a difference in your family. 

With just a few minutes a day, you can keep your loft or kids’ play area clean, organized and ready for fun. By involving your kids in the cleaning process and creating easy-to-follow routines, you can keep the chaos at bay and make the space a fun, stress-free environment for the whole family.

Creating an organized play space doesn’t have to be hard work! Start with these small, simple steps to keep your loft clean and let your kids’ imaginations soar in a tidy and inviting environment.

Stay tuned for the kid’s bedroom next week.

Love,