Sort children's clothes for the spring-summer transition

Choose the Right Time

As with any household chore requiring more investment, it's important to choose the right time to tackle it. Sorting clothes on a Sunday morning when everyone is tired and the kids are hungry is the perfect recipe for an endless chore! Instead, choose a calm moment, like a day off in the afternoon or a Saturday morning after a good breakfast, and inform the children in advance so they are available and in a cooperative mood.

Allow one to two hours, depending on the number of children and the amount of clothes to sort. With younger children, working with one child at a time is often more effective than pulling everything out at once.

Take Everything Out

The first step is certainly the most important and most intimidating: take out all the clothes! Make sure you don't forget any, whether they are in drawers, on shelves, in storage bins, or even those forgotten in the back of the closet. Everything belonging to a child must be in the same place; it's the only way to get a complete overview of what you truly own.

This is also a good time to wash what needs to be washed and inspect the general condition of the clothes: permanent stains, tears, missing buttons, etc.

Sort into Four Categories

Now that all the clothes are in one place, take the time to divide them into four clear piles:

• ✅ To keep: clothes in good condition that still fit
• 📦 To store: clothes that still fit but are not suitable for summer: store them in a well-labeled bin for fall
• 🎁 To donate, sell, or exchange: clothes that no longer fit and cannot be used by a younger child but are still in good condition
• 🗑️ To recycle or discard: clothes too worn to be donated

For clothes that still fit but you are unsure whether to keep, apply this simple rule: if the child didn't wear it at all last season, they probably won't wear it this year either!

Involve Children According to Their Age

Sorting clothes is a great learning opportunity. Children participate in their own organization, develop their sense of detachment, and learn to make decisions.

From 4 or 5 years old, a child can actively participate: for example, show them two t-shirts and ask them which one they prefer to keep. From 7 or 8 years old, children can do much of the sorting themselves, with your supervision. Teenagers can manage their entire wardrobe and even organize the sale or donation of what they no longer wear. To help them, offer them this little tip that will provide them with a clear method for effective sorting!

Inventory What's Missing

Once the sorting is complete, you finally have a clear picture of what each child truly owns for the summer season. This is the ideal time to make a list of missing items before shopping and determine how many t-shirts, shorts, swimsuits, and sandals are needed. Use this practical list, also available on Octave, to ensure you target the right purchases and avoid duplicates!

Ideally, resist the urge to replace everything at once. Start with the essentials, wait for sales for the rest, and remember that children grow quickly; a few versatile, quality pieces are better than ten items bought in a hurry.

Properly Identify and Store Winter Clothes

Winter clothes you wish to store must be done with care. Take the time to wash everything before storing, and clearly label each bin with the child's name, size, and season. A label stuck on the side of the bin, visible without having to open it, will save you a lot of time in the fall.

Happy organizing! 🩳