Room for Summer Fun!

Hey everyone, it’s Kelly! Can you feel it? Summer is right around the corner! Longer days, warmer weather, no school runs… and a whole lot more family fun! But let’s be real, summer freedom can also mean summer chaos if we’re not a little prepared. All that fun gear and those busy schedules need some organization to keep things running smoothly.

As organizers, we know that putting systems in place now means less stress and more time enjoying those precious sunny days with your family. So, let's talk about tackling two big summer challenges: managing the mountain of gear and getting our trusty family cars ready for action!

Taming the Summer Gear Beast

First things first, let’s wrangle all that equipment!

1. The Great Summer Sort: Pull everything out – swimsuits, towels, goggles, snorkels, floaties, sand toys, beach chairs, umbrellas, bikes, helmets, balls, bats, cleats, sunscreen, bug spray... everything!

• Check & Purge: Have the kids try on last year’s swimsuits, helmets, and life vests. Does it still fit? Is it in good condition? Toss broken toys, deflated balls, expired sunscreen. Be ruthless!

• Clean & Prep: Give things a quick wipe-down. Inflate pool floats to check for leaks now, not when you’re poolside with eager kids!

• Donate: Pass on usable items that are outgrown or no longer needed.

1. Zone Defense - Set Up Storage Stations: Now that you know what you're keeping, create dedicated storage zones, ideally near where you head out the door, like the garage or mudroom.

• Sports Central: Use vertical space! Wall racks are great for bikes, bats, and racquets. Hooks can hold helmets and gear bags. Use large bins (mesh ones are great for seeing contents and letting air circulate) or even a rolling sports equipment organizer for balls, pads, and shoes. Label everything!

• Beach & Pool Command: Designate a shelf or bin just for beach/pool towels. Use mesh bags for sand toys – the sand shakes right out! Keep goggles, snorkels, and small pool toys in clear, lidded bins. Store bulky chairs and umbrellas together, maybe standing upright in a corner or hung on sturdy wall hooks. Consider a waterproof deck box if you have poolside space.

• Ready-to-Roll Bags: Keep a dedicated beach bag or pool bag partially packed with essentials like a waterproof pouch for phones, a small first-aid kit, and maybe backup goggles.

• Sunscreen Station: This is a game-changer! Set up a small basket or shelf by the door with sunscreen, bug spray, sunglasses, and hats. It’s a visual reminder to apply before heading out and makes it easy for everyone to grab their gear.

Get Your Car Summer-Ready: The Mobile Command Center

Summer often means more driving – camps, pools, beaches, road trips! Let’s get our cars organized for the season.

1. Clean Slate: Start by completely clearing out the car. Get rid of the school year clutter, stray wrappers, and mystery items under the seats. Vacuum, wipe down surfaces. Check your tire pressure, washer fluid, and maybe schedule that oil change.

1. Trunk Tactics: Avoid a jumbled mess! Use collapsible crates, sturdy shopping bags, or a dedicated trunk organizer. Have designated spots for things like a folded picnic blanket, camp chairs, the beach bag, or sports equipment. Keeping things contained prevents them from rolling around and makes finding what you need much easier.

1. Backseat / In-Car Command: Keep essentials accessible (but tidy!).

• Essentials Kit: Use a backseat organizer, a bin on the floor, or even a sturdy tote bag. Stock it with: wet wipes, tissues, hand sanitizer, a basic first-aid kit (band-aids, antiseptic wipes, pain reliever), extra sunscreen/bug spray, reusable water bottles, chargers/power bank.

• Activity Zone: For kids, have a small stash of car-friendly activities – coloring books with Twistables colored pencils (no sharpening!), travel games, reusable sticker books, maybe headphones and a tablet for longer hauls.

• Snack Stash: Keep a small container of non-perishable snacks (granola bars, crackers, nuts, pretzels) to fend off hanger emergencies.

• Trash Duty: Have a system! A plastic cereal container with a lid, a dedicated car trash can, or even just keeping a stash of reusable grocery bags works wonders. Empty it regularly!

1. Towel Power: Keep one or two old towels rolled up in the trunk. You'll be amazed how often they come in handy for spills, wet swimsuits, muddy shoes, or drying off after an unexpected splash pad run!

Keep it Rolling!

Once you're set up, the key is quick maintenance. After a beach trip, shake out sandy towels before they hit the car. Restock snacks and wipes weekly. A few minutes of tidying prevents the chaos from creeping back in.

Putting in a little organizing effort now truly pays off all summer long. You'll spend less time searching for lost goggles or cleaning up car spills, and more time making fantastic family memories.

Wishing you a sunny, fun, and organized summer!

Cheers,

Kelly