Hi! Let’s make cleanup fun.

Here are 10 friendly ways to say "Let’s tidy up!" when you want a 7-year-old to do a sorting exercise. After the list, there are quick steps to follow and two easy tips to make it a game.

1. Time to clean up! — Example: "Time to clean up the blocks!"
2. Put things back where they belong. — Example: "Put the cars back where they belong."
3. Let’s sort these into groups. — Example: "Let’s sort the crayons into color groups."
4. Make piles: same kinds together. — Example: "Make a pile of stuffed animals and a pile of cars."
5. Find each toy’s home. — Example: "Find each toy’s home on the shelf or in a box."
6. Match and put away. — Example: "Match the socks and put them away."
7. Tidy time: give everything a place. — Example: "Tidy time—give every book a place on the shelf."
8. Put the same things together. — Example: "Put all the balls together in this basket."
9. Make neat stacks or rows. — Example: "Make neat rows of blocks by size."
10. Pack up and you’re done! — Example: "Pack up the puzzles and you’re done!"

Easy step-by-step for a sorting exercise

1. Pick what to sort: decide if you’re sorting toys, books, clothes, or crayons.
2. Choose how to sort: by type (toys/books), by color, or by size.
3. Make groups: put items that match into the same pile or box.
4. Give each group a home: put the pile into a shelf, box, or drawer labeled for that group.
5. Check and finish: look around—everything should be in its place. High five for a job well done!

Two tips to make it fun

• Use a timer: Try cleaning for 5 minutes and see how much you can sort before the buzzer rings.
• Make it a song or game: sing a cleanup song or pretend the toys are racing to their homes.

Pick any of the 10 phrases each time you tidy—using different ones can make cleanup feel new and fun!