The Naked Truth about Minimalism with Kids

Many growing families aspire to stay ahead of the inevitable clutter that children bring. But can minimalism with kids coexist?

I get this question a lot. The truth is, I struggle. My household consists of two adults, two children, two cats and a dog; the seven of us – with our gear, our toys, our attire – would overflow our home with stuff if I let us.

It’s a slippery slope: I want to save my older daughter’s stuff for my younger one, but I don’t want the clutter. I don’t want the stress of managing/organizing/cleaning it all, either.

I don’t have all the answers, but I do have 11 suggestions.

Minimalism with kids in 11 steps

1. Establish a gifting strategy.

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Hands down, the biggest threat to minimalism with kids is presents. Encourage family members to give your children toy free gifts for birthdays and holidays.

When you give to your own children, consider the Want-Wear-Need-Do-Share-Read strategy of gift giving, in which each child receives a total of six presents:

• Want: A gift that attempts to satisfy the child’s greatest want
• Wear: A wearable gift. Clothes, hats, winter gear et cetera are all fair game
• Need: A gift that satisfies a real need
• Do: An experiential gift in which the entire family creates lasting memories by doing something together
• Share: A gift for everyone to enjoy, such as a gigantic set of Legos or a new swing set
• Read: A book or magazine

2. Create capsule wardrobes for your children.

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Capsule wardrobes are all the rage for adults attempting to simplify their closets. Did you know it is entirely possible to create one for children, too? Choose essential items that don’t go out of fashion and can be augmented with seasonal pieces. Spend a bit more and buy quality items that will last for both your current child and potential subsequent children as well.

Did you know?

You can find The Sustainable Minimalists podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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3.  Utilize your community library.

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Don’t buy books; visit the library instead. Make it a weekly habit by scheduling your trip on a recurring basis in your calendar.

4. Start a toy swap with your mom friends.

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Just trust me. Once you start toy swapping you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner. Pick a few mom friends and go at it. Learn more about toy swapping and grab my FREE guide to ensure successful swap here:

5. Pay it forward.

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Donate your children’s clothes, toys and gear the minute they are outgrown. Keep a few sentimental pieces if you wish, but give the rest away.

If your child’s clothes hold significant emotional baggage for you, consider donating to a person you actually know instead of a large organization.

Make a donations bin a staple in your household so that family members are encouraged to donate often.

6. Invest in quality.

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Cheap gear doesn’t last and, if you’re planning to have more children, you’ll find yourself replacing the inexpensive stuff well before you are able to reuse it.

Consider buying quality items secondhand. If you decide to buy new, be an informed consumer. Do your research. Read reviews. Inquire about warranties.

7. Create photo collages of their artwork.

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It may sound harsh, but stay with me: Don’t keep your children’s artwork. Create photo collages instead. My oldest daughter creates hundreds of pieces of art every month. (This isn’t hyperbole; I’ve counted!)

In my house we hang up the best pieces for a few weeks, then I take photos of them and use free collage software to mesh them together. I place the photos of her artwork in our year-end photo album. This way, we keep the art and ditch the clutter.

8.  Instill minimalist principles as your children grow.

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 – Have frank conversations early and often about the differences between “need” and “want”.

– Lead by example.

– Set the precedent that “in this family” you do things differently than other families.

– Remain consistent in your gift-giving strategy.

9. Invest in experiences instead of “stuff”.

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Put the money you would have spent on that outlandish Easter basket and put it into an account specifically set aside for family vacations.

It’s amazing how quickly the account fills.

If you feel guilty that you may be depriving your child of gifts, check the literature: researchers have found, time and time again, that experiences are infinitely more beneficial than “stuff.”

10. Check junk culture at the door.

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Junk culture – toys made from cheap plastic that promote gendered or violent themes – is everywhere. Learn to recognize it when you see it. Instead of purchasing, invest in quality toys meant to last. The result, over time, is fewer toys.

11. Establish toy boundaries.

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Toy boundaries are essential for practicing minimalism with kids. When it comes to toys and the boundaries you establish for them, determine what works for your family. Here are some ideas:

– Give each child a bin and, at the start of the week, direct them to choose five toys to play with for the week. (Books, coloring books, crayons and markers do not count as toys.) Each child’s chosen five toys are brought to the main floor. When your children are done playing, toys go back into their respective bins so clean up is a breeze. Multiple children may of course play with siblings’ toys.

– Give each child a “Treasure Chest” for the favorite toys. They can only keep what fits in the chest: if it doesn’t fit, it’s time to re-evaluate its contents.

– Rotate toys by routinely placing some out of sight and reintroducing them later.

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