How to get kids to clean up: Expert tips for parents during March break

Organization expert Megan Arthurs shares helpful tips for parents looking to get their kids to help keep their spaces clean during March Break.

As March break leaves many households messier than usual, organizing expert Megan Arthurs joined CTV Your Morning on Wednesday to share practical strategies for teaching kids how to clean up after themselves.

Speaking with host Kelsey McEwen, Arthurs emphasized that tidying is a learned skill — not something children instinctively know.

Why don’t kids respond to ‘clean your room?’

Many parents keep telling their kids to “clean your room,” but Arthurs said that approach can backfire.

“If someone were to say ‘clean your room’ to you or I, we know what that is,” Arthurs said, explaining that while adults understand what that task involves, children can feel overwhelmed because the instruction is too broad.

“We want to use focused direction. So instead of saying ‘clean your room,’ we might say, ‘can you pick the books up off the floor and put it on the bookshelf?’”

She added that breaking tasks into smaller steps helps kids feel confident and more likely to follow through.

How can parents motivate kids to clean?

When asked how to encourage kids to actually tidy up, Arthurs suggested making cleaning feel less like a chore and more like a game.

“A 10-minute reset is really effective for children, (and) honestly, for adults as well,” the expert said.

Arthurs described setting a timer and challenging kids to clean as quickly as possible, turning the task into a fun activity rather than a punishment. She added that this approach also reinforces the idea that cleaning can be a quick, daily habit instead of a long, overwhelming task.

Do the right tools make a difference?

When it comes to children using household items to clean, Arthurs said providing them with tools that are sized for them is key.

“We know if you put a clunky vacuum in front of a child, it’s not manageable. It’s probably twice as big as they are,” she said.

Arthurs explained that smaller, easy-to-handle tools like microfibre cloths, mini brooms and dustpans make cleaning more accessible and help kids feel capable of contributing.

Why are toy zones so effective?

The conversation turned to toy organization, with McEwen highlighting the success of creating designated spaces at home.

Arthurs explained that while it may be convenient to put all the toys in one large bin, it can overwhelm children during both playtime and cleanup.

Instead, she recommends using clear, labelled bins — or picture labels for younger kids — to create defined “toy zones” that make it easier to find and return items.

What causes mess to build up — and how can it be prevented?

Finally, McEwen asked about clutter beyond toys. Arthurs said the issue often comes down to children moving from one activity to another, without finishing the first.

“So what typically happens is it’s not the type of toy that’s creating the mess, it’s the quantity of toys,” she said. Her solution is what she calls the “one activity rule,” where kids clean up before starting something new. Arthurs said this helps prevent a mess from piling up and teaches important life skills, like transitioning between tasks.

Arthurs said simple, consistent strategies can make a big difference, especially during busy times like March Break when kids are spending more time at home.