I have two boys, five and three, so our house is definitely not tidy all the time. Toys get pulled out, things get built on the floor and there is usually something left somewhere it should not be.
The difference is that they have always known where things belong.
Everything has a place
Every toy has a designated home. Baskets and containers have picture labels, so even before they could read, the boys knew where things went.
They also each have a basket with their name on it for the little things that are important to them at the time. A toy from a birthday party goodie bag, something they made at school or whatever happens to be special that week.
Of course they still make a mess. They are kids. But when it is time to tidy up, they know where things go.
Trust me on this one: they don't need that many toys
I rotate their toys regularly and take some out of circulation for a few months.
When they come back out, they often feel new again.
I also find my boys get much more creative when they have less. Too many toys can make it harder for them to settle into playing with anything properly.
Kids really do not need that much.
Learning to let things go
Every few months, we go through their toys together and choose things for our donation box.
They come with me when we donate them too.
I want them to understand that we are fortunate to have what we have, and that something they no longer use can make another child happy.
Keeping our home organised with young children is not about expecting them to be tidy all the time.
They are allowed to make a mess. They just know how to put it back.
