The flowers are blooming, and the days are warming in Pittsburgh, which means spring is here. If that extra sunshine has you itching to tidy up your house, don’t forget to involve your children. While it may seem simpler to dive into spring cleaning on your own, consider this an opportunity to introduce your kids to the value of giving.
Asking your children to donate their unneeded items is a great way to help them develop empathy and generosity. It can also make everyone feel good about paring down excess possessions.
Here’s how to introduce children of any age to the art of donation.
Explain the value of giving
Rather than asking your children to simply get rid of their extra things, turn your spring cleaning into a lesson in giving. The way you impart this lesson will depend on your kids’ ages.
Tell the youngest ones stories they can relate to, like how good it feels to share toys with friends. You can also look at picture books about the concept of sharing. Elementary school children can likely understand that some families don’t have much money, and their children may not have many toys or clothes. Consider reading books together that highlight the beauty of helping others in need, like “The Giving Tree.”
If you have middle schoolers in the house, it may be time to look at larger issues, like poverty, hunger, and access to education around the world. Encourage older children to get rid of things that no longer serve a purpose or add value to their lives. Charity can dovetail with important lessons on restraint and being satisfied with “enough.”
Engaging kids in the donation process
Once your children understand the importance and joy of helping others, it’s time to put that newfound charitable spirit to use. As you begin to clean the house and gather donations, keep your children engaged by making the process fun and giving them an appropriate level of autonomy over their choices.
Here are a few helpful tips:
Start with a list
Make a list of items that might be appropriate for donations so younger children know what to begin collecting. The list can include things like:
- Toys they no longer play with.
- Clothes that are too small.
- Sports equipment they no longer want.
- Games they no longer play.
- Decorations and posters they no longer use.
- School supplies they haven’t used.
- Books and comics they’ve read.
- Gifts they don’t want.
Put on fun music
Every chore is better with music. Let your children pick their favorite playlist or movie soundtrack, and groove along as you clean.
Set out baskets
Set out multiple baskets to help your children better organize their items. Big, colorful baskets will help your children see what they are collecting and will give them several options for getting rid of items.
Here’s what we suggest:
- Donation basket
- Throw-away basket for items that are broken or unusable
- “Not sure” basket for when your child is unsure if they want to keep or donate the item (review things in the basket afterward)
- Sell basket (Consider giving older children the option to sell more expensive items if they have an entrepreneurial bent.)
Go from room to room
To make the spring cleaning process more manageable, focus on one room at a time. Older children may be able to clean out their rooms on their own, while you may need to assist younger children.
Make it a game
Turning donations into a game is a great way to keep younger children excited and engaged. See which child can donate the most items or how fast they can each find ten things to donate. Consider rewarding younger children for their efforts. For example, if they each donate ten things, go out for ice cream, or buy them their favorite treat at the grocery store.
Clean and pack the donations
Don’t let your kids off the hook once they’ve collected their donations. With your oversight, review each donation to make sure that it is clean and functional. Check that games have all their pieces, that stuffed toys aren’t dirty, and that electronics still work. Clean and patch up items when needed and pack everything in your final donation boxes.
Make the donation together
One of the best ways to help children understand the impact of their donations is to involve them in the entire process, including making the donation. Bring them with you when you drop your items off at your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, church, or other charity location.
Not sure where to donate your items? Here’s a comprehensive list of organizations that accept donations.
Turn giving into a family tradition
It feels good to give away the things you no longer need. Once you’ve completed a donation sweep of your home, keep up the momentum. Turn your spring cleaning into an annual family tradition. Each year, when spring rolls around, encourage your children to once again shed the things they no longer need so that others can have more.
While you’re at it, grow your family’s charitable game. Consider volunteering with your children, participating in food drives, visiting senior centers, or donating money to a favorite organization. Every little action will help your children recognize their power to help others and add a little more good to the world.
Courtesy of Ryan Majors
Ryan Majors oversees Price Self Storage locations throughout California, focusing on efficient and functional storage solutions. He integrates his passion for smart design and organization into his management approach, ensuring a commitment to excellence and organized living.
