How to Prep Your Home Before the Kids Are Home for the Summer
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Summer break is right around the corner, and while the kids are dreaming of pool days and popsicles, you might be wondering how you’ll keep your home (and your sanity) intact during the chaos. The good news? A little prep now can go a long way in making your summer less stressful and a lot more fun.
As a professional organizer and mom, I know that having a few systems in place before school’s out makes a huge difference. Here’s how to get your home ready before summer hits.
1. Declutter the Drop Zones
Start with the entryway, mudroom, or wherever backpacks, shoes, and lunchboxes usually pile up. Once school’s out, those items won’t be needed daily, so go ahead and:
Wash and store lunch gear
Toss or donate worn-out shoes
Clear out old papers and artwork
📦 Pro Tip: Create a “summer grab-and-go” bin with sunscreen, goggles, bug spray, and water bottles to keep outings easy.
2. Create a Summer Snack Station
When kids are home all day, the snack requests multiply fast. Set up a self-serve snack station in your pantry or fridge with:
Healthy grab-and-go items (fruit, cheese sticks, granola bars)
A few fun treats in moderation
Clear containers so kids can see what’s available
🍓 This helps kids be more independent, and helps you avoid the “What can I eat?” questions all day long.
3. Set Up Activity Zones
Designate areas for play, creativity, and rest:
Craft zone with crayons, paper, and supplies
Outdoor bin with chalk, water toys, bubbles
Reading nook with books they haven’t read yet
🏕️ If you’re planning any at-home “summer camp” days or themed weeks, organize supplies ahead of time in labeled bins. When my kids were little, I’d spend one day searching Pinterest for fun activities, making a list and ordering the supplies for all of them. I’d put them all in a bin with the instructions and pull them out when we needed something new!
4. Organize Summer Clothes
Before the season begins, go through each child’s dresser:
Pull out anything too small or too warm
Make a list of what they’ll need (swimsuits, shorts, sandals)
Store school uniforms and winter layers
👚 Getting this done now avoids morning chaos later and keeps drawers manageable all summer long.
5. Make a Simple Summer Schedule
Kids thrive on structure, even in the summer, but this doesn’t have to be complicated. I like to just make a list of things that the kids should do daily. This gives them a little checklist that they can complete in their own order. It might include things like:
Reading or quiet time
Outside Play
Screen time (with boundaries)
A chore or daily task
Creative Time
Learning time
Exercise
🗓️ A visual schedule is great for the little ones!
Final Thoughts
Prepping your home now sets the tone for a smoother, more enjoyable summer. When your space works for your season of life, everyone benefits—from calmer mornings to more space for spontaneous fun.
