Summer is a beautiful season… but let’s be honest, it can also be chaotic.

With kids at home full-time, routines fly out the window, snacks disappear faster than you can say “I’m bored,” and the house feels like it’s been turned upside down by lunchtime.

But it doesn’t have to feel this way. At A Good Moment Company, I believe in finding calm through small, practical shifts — especially when it comes to busy family life.

That’s why I’ve put together this collection of gentle, fun, and surprisingly helpful summer organising activities that involve the kids, build long-term habits, and help restore a bit of structure to your days — all while giving you a breather.

Let’s create some good moments this summer… together.

 

Arts & Crafts Reboot – Organise + Play –  Arts and crafts can bring endless joy and a LOT of mess. Start by gathering all your supplies from around the house. Broken crayons? Dried-up glue? Out they go.

Steps:

• Create a “keep” pile of usable items.
• Let each child decorate their own box or shoebox for favourites.
• Label categories: markers, stickers, paint, scissors.
• Make a list of what’s missing (e.g. more paper or glue) for your next shop.
• When everything’s sorted, give them a challenge: “Make something amazing using only what we’ve got!”

This isn’t just tidy-up time — it’s a creative reset that gets them involved and builds ownership.

Mini Fashion Show – Plan, Declutter, Organise –  Turn wardrobe chaos into a mini event! Let the kids put on a fashion show and try on their summer favourites.

Steps:

• Check what fits, what’s stained, and what can be donated.
• Group outfits into bundles for the week ahead.
• Use baskets, drawers or labelled hangers for easy access.
• Create fun zones: sportswear, camps, “best clothes”, etc.

Encouraging them to prep their clothes gives you smoother mornings — and builds independence too.

 

Home Library Fun – Book clutter? Use this moment to refresh and rediscover reading joy.

Steps:

• Gather all children’s books into one place.
• Sort into “keep” and “donate” piles.
• Stack books by colour or category — and let them get creative.
• Choose 7 books (or 7 chapters) for the week.
• Make their own “library cards” and reward finished reads with stickers.

It’s a low-pressure way to bring back focus (and calm) during screen-heavy seasons.

Snack Station Setup – Let Them Lead – Snack requests are endless in summer. This sets boundaries without battles.

Steps:

• Create a snack drawer or basket in a reachable spot.
• Label healthy and treat options.
• Set a daily number of each they can choose themselves.
• Store in a lunchbox or pouch and remind: “When it’s gone, it’s gone!”

It fosters decision-making and reduces the 15 daily interruptions asking what they can eat.

 

Give to Get – Donation with Heart – Build empathy and reduce clutter all in one go.

Steps:

• Talk about how charity shops help others.
• Ask your children to choose items they no longer use or love.
• Use a special donation box and explain the joy they’re giving.
• Let them come with you to drop it off — and perhaps choose a small treat or book in return.

It’s a feel-good activity that introduces the “one in, one out” habit early.

 

The Floor is Lava (aka Speed-Tidy Game) – Sometimes you just need the floor clear, fast.

Steps:

• Choose one room at a time.
• Set a timer and play “The floor is lava in 2 minutes!”
• Kids dash to clear toys, clothes, Lego, etc.
• Use dramatic countdowns and cheer when it’s done.

It’s fun, high-energy, and sneaky tidy-up time all in one. Great before meals or bedtime resets.

Designer for a Day – Creative Control Meets Organisation – Give your child a small space (like their room or toy area) and let them redesign it.

Steps:

• Talk about how the space is used: sleep, play, homework, quiet time.
• Sketch their layout ideas.
• Declutter together and rearrange furniture if needed.
• Let them choose new zones or shelf setups.
• Bonus: freshen it up with new bedding, posters or labels.

They’ll take more pride in a space they helped create — and might just keep it tidier too!

 

Mini Home Helpers (Chores in Disguise!) – Small jobs add up, and even little ones can contribute.

Steps:

• Write simple tasks on paper and pop into a jar: pair socks, dust shelves, sort Tupperware lids.
• Let them pick one or two daily.
• Use stickers, tokens, or little rewards to keep it light.

Helps build teamwork — and means less pressure on you.

 

Tidy Dice Game – A great way to motivate the family (and mix in some silliness).

Steps:

• Assign a tidy task to each number (e.g. 1 = pick up 5 toys, 2 = dust a surface).
• Take turns rolling the dice and doing what it says.
• Add silly extras like “do it while hopping” or “sing a song while folding!”

Short, fun bursts of productivity you’ll all get behind.

 

Memory Box Moment – Slow the pace. Reflect on the year so far.

Steps:

• Gather school artwork, photos, projects and keepsakes.
• Sort into “keep”, “display” and “recycle”.
• Decorate a box or file for special items.
• Add notes about each memory together.

It’s a lovely winding-down activity, especially for quiet summer evenings or rainy days.

Final Thoughts

Summer doesn’t have to feel messy or overwhelming.
With a little structure, gentle routines, and the right mindset, you can have a season that feels more joyful and less stressful.

These activities aren’t about perfection – they’re about connection, contribution, and building small habits that make life at home a little smoother. Let your little ones surprise you, they might just enjoy being part of the calm.

If you’d like a hand getting your home summer-ready I’d love to hear from you. Get in touch to book your session today. Together, we can create a calm, organised space that lets you focus on what matters most: enjoying every good moment this summer brings.

P.S. Want more organising tips straight to your inbox? Subscribe to my newsletter for monthly tips, before & after’s, and exclusive offers!

Let the good in,
Jenny x