7 Books to Help Teach Kids Organizational Skills

Fans of Marie Kondo who are also parents often wonder how they can inspire the KonMari method in their own children. While adults might understand that only keeping items that spark joy, younger kids may not grasp that concept, because let’s face it, sometimes a toy sparks joy only when someone else is playing with it. At the very least, instilling the value of being organized will benefit your kids for the rest of their lives. Here are seven books on the importance of organization that range in age from toddlers to tweens.

A Place for Everything (7 Habits of Happy Kids Series #3), by Sean Covey and Stacy Curtis
As part of a series tied to Covey’s popular 7 Habits, this standalone book focuses on organizational skills for younger children. Jumper is a busy rabbit who loves to play sports. One day he shows up to play basketball in the wrong shoes and when he gets home he can’t find anything in his messy room. Your messy child might relate to Jumper’s predicament, and begin to understand the importance of everything having a place so that there is more time for fun and less mess.

Too Many Toys, by David Shannon
Do you find yourself tripping over toys, shoving piles of stuffed animals into closets, and wondering where in the world all this stuff came from? You’re not alone! In this book, Spencer knows his house is overflowing with toys, and yet he finds it hard to part with his old playthings and box them up. In the end, he discovers his favorite toy of all is the box itself. Isn’t that always the case?! This story will encourage kids to consider the value of giving away what they no longer play with or need.

The Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room, by Stan Berenstain
Fans of the Berenstain Bears will enjoy seeing that even Brother and Sister struggle with the issue of not cleaning up after themselves. Mama and Papa tell the children that they need to organize their stuff and they can’t live in a messy room. You’ve probably tried to tell your children the same exact thing, but they might actually listen to Mama and Papa after a quick trip to Bear Country.

Respect and Take Care of Things, by Cheri J. Meiners and Meredith Johnson
For parents of toddlers, this book teaches simple concepts with easy to understand images. Instilling the basic values of putting things away, taking care of items, and asking before you borrow something will help establish a foundation of organizational skills. Activities in the back of the book are useful for parents to reinforce what your toddler has learned and implement those lessons in your own house.

Get Organized Without Losing It, by Janet S. Fox and Steve Mark
The perfect resource for elementary and middle school aged children looking to get organized. With a focus on managing tasks, time, and stuff related to school, there are plenty of opportunities for your child to gain new organizational practices. To-do lists, homework planning, and note-taking tips are just some of the skills that will help declutter your child’s mind, and their locker. Say good bye to the black hole of your kid’s backpack and hello to a happier and more productive student.

Where’s My Stuff?: The Ultimate Teen Organizing Guide, by Samantha Moss and Lesley Schwartz
Older middle grade readers (and parents) will appreciate this book for the tools it offers. Going beyond how to organize your bedroom, it also speaks to the importance of organizing your locker, schoolwork, and even your schedule. The tactics will help your child not only declutter their surroundings, but declutter their mind and establish healthy, lifelong habits for living an organized life.

Organizing from the Inside Out For Teens, by Julie Morgenstern and Jessi Morgenstern-Colon
This book teaches tweens how to analyze, strategize and attack whatever organizational hurdle they may be facing. From cleaning their bedroom to working on a long-term school project, this guide is written from the perspective of a student, not a parent. Helpful visuals, hints and tips, and stories about organizing struggles will help your tween appreciate the importance of having an organized space and an organized mindset.