The school holidays: a magical time of ice lollies, garden picnics, endless snacking—and the slow, creeping spread of chaos across every surface of your home. True Story.
With everyone in and out all day, shoes multiplying in the hallway, and craft projects taking over the kitchen, keeping your home tidy during the holidays can feel like a losing battle.
Don’t worry—you’re not alone, and it is possible (well, mostly). Here’s how to keep on top of the mess, without turning into a full-time cleaner or living in a constant state of “just ignore it”.
1. Lower the Bar (Just a Bit)
First, let’s set realistic expectations. Your house is being lived in—properly lived in. It’s not going to look like a show home, and that’s OK. Aim for clean enough, not spotless.
Pick your priorities:
- Clear floors (for sanity and safety)
- A usable kitchen table
- A functioning bathroom
- Somewhere to sit that’s not covered in Lego
Everything else? Nice if it happens.
2. Give Everything a “Home”
The more obvious it is where things belong, the more likely they’ll end up there (in theory, anyway).
Use baskets, boxes and labels for:
- Toys and games
- Craft supplies
- Sports gear
- Shoes and bags
- Snack stash and lunchbox bits
Use clear storage if possible—it reduces the “Mum, where’s the…?” cries by at least 40%.
3. Create ‘Drop Zones’
Holiday life means constant comings and goings, so set up designated spots for things that get dumped everywhere:
- A basket by the door for shoes
- Hooks for bags, hats, and hoodies
- A tray for post, keys, and random pebbles “collected” from the park
- A tub for items to go back upstairs
This stops everything piling up in the hallway—or worse, migrating across every room. The biggest thing that drives me crazy is the growing pile of shoes that appears by the door. I can’t wait to meet the other 20 people who live here!
4. Involve the Kids (Yes, Really)
Children can absolutely help keep things tidy—but they need clear guidance and a bit of consistency.
Try:
- A morning 5-minute tidy-up game
- “Tidy before tech” rules (screens only after toys are away)
- Making it fun with a challenge: “Can you clear the lounge in 3 songs?”
- Giving them their own cleaning kits (mini dusters, cloths—they’ll feel important!)
It won’t always be perfect, but it builds good habits and saves you doing it all yourself.
5. Limit the Chaos Zones
Instead of the whole house being a free-for-all, designate “mess-friendly” areas.
- The dining table is for crafts—not every surface
- Snacks stay in the kitchen
- Toys stay in the lounge or playroom
- Garden shoes off at the door
It’s easier to manage mess when it’s contained to certain spaces. You might even reclaim the sofa.
6. Do a Daily Reset
Pick a time—before tea, after bath, whenever suits—and do a 10-15 minute reset.
- Everyone tidies their own bits
- Dishwasher goes on or washing up is done
- Floors are quickly swept or hoovered
- Cushions back on sofas, remote back where it lives
It gives a sense of closure to the day—and means you don’t wake up to last night’s tornado.
7. Keep Cleaning Quick and Simple
Don’t feel like you need to deep-clean daily. Just stay on top of the essentials:
- Antibac wipes in high-traffic zones
- A cordless vacuum for quick kitchen sweeps
- A laundry system that doesn’t rely on miracles
- One “focus job” a day (e.g. bathroom Monday, hoover Tuesday)
When in doubt? Shut the door on the messy room and deal with it later.
8. Don’t Forget Self-Care
Mess can be mentally draining—but so can obsessing over it. Some days, the house will be chaos and that’s fine. Take a break, go for a walk, leave the laundry pile alone for an hour.
If it helps, light a candle, put on a podcast, and do a 15-minute tidy in peace. It all counts.
It’s a Lived-In Home—Not a Museum
Keeping your home tidy during the holidays isn’t about perfection—it’s about finding that happy balance where everyone can enjoy themselves without tripping over plastic dinosaurs or stepping in jam. Embrace the chaos where needed, rein it in when you can, and remember: summer memories matter more than spotless worktops.
Now where did that dustpan go?
