Selling Your Home with Toddlers

A Family-Friendly Guide to Managing Showings & Kid Clutter

So you’re a parent of young kids and your home is feeling TIGHT with those new, adorable little feet running around. But your house is a constant tornado of hot wheels cars, magna-tiles, play dough, and dress up clothes. How in the world will you be able to keep it clean for showings and get top dollar to put toward the next, bigger home your family needs...?

As both a real estate agent and a mom of two under four, I know first hand that keeping a home tidy is no small feat. Between the endless snack crumbs, toy tornados, and those lovely "artistic expressions" on the walls, maintaining a show-ready home can feel impossible. But here's the truth - it doesn't have to be overwhelming.

This guide combines my professional expertise with real-world experience to help you navigate showings while maintaining your sanity (and yes, maybe even enjoying the process).

My first and biggest tip for keeping your house show-ready… 

Plan some time out of the home 

Our intention is that your first couple weekends on the market are impactful times for your listing’s success. We would likely schedule a couple of open houses and hope to have multiple showings. It may be easiest to just remove your family for a couple of days rather than hopping in your car over… and over.. and over… to head to the local park. Plan a stay-cation at a local hotel with a waterpark, visit your brother/sister out of town, head to your cabin for the weekend. 

These are all great options to minimize stress (and constant cleaning) in those first weekends! If getting out of dodge isn’t an option or you are listing your home in a slower market, here are some tips and tricks that will prevent some headaches and keep the family happy and functioning! 

The "Go Basket" System: Your New Best Friend 

Let's start with my favorite sanity-saving hack: the Go Basket System.

I can't emphasize enough how this simple strategy can transform your showing preparation routine. Place a large laundry basket on each level of your home. These aren't just any baskets - they're your emergency response team for last-minute showing requests. When that text comes in that buyers want to see your home in an hour (right as your toddler decides to empty every toy bin), you'll be ready. 

The key to making this system work: 

+ Choose deep, sturdy baskets that can hold a variety of items 

+ Label each basket by floor or area for quick distribution when you return 

+ Store them in your car trunk or garage during showings 

+ Keep them empty between showings - resist the temptation to use them for regular storage 

Strategic Zoning: Creating Harmony Between Real Life and Real Estate 

One of the biggest stressors I see families face is trying to keep their entire home pristine 24/7. Here's a secret: you don't have to. Instead, let's create a strategic zoning system that works with your family's lifestyle. 

Showing Zones (Keep These Areas Staged) 

-Entryway 

-Primary bedroom 

-Guest bathroom 

-Dining room 

-Living room 

These areas should stay consistently clean and staged, with minimal daily use. Think of them as your "company ready" spaces. 

Free Play Zones 

Designate one or two areas where kids can be kids. 

This might be: 

-Basement playroom 

-Upstairs loft 

-Bonus room 

-Child's bedroom

The 15-Minute Showing Prep Routine

Having a quick, efficient system for showing preparation can make the difference between panic and peace.

Here's your strategic game plan:

Quick-Clean Kit Essentials (One Per Bathroom)

+ All-purpose spray cleaner

+ Glass cleaner

+ Toilet brush and cleaner

+ Paper towels

+ Sanitizing wipes

Smart Storage Solutions

+ Under-bed storage bins for the kids pile of stuffies, pillows, and blankets that they need every night

+ Decorative baskets in each room for quick cleanup

+ Designated drawer or basket for mail and papers

+ Hook system by door for backpacks and jackets

Kid-Friendly Staging That Actually Works

Let's be real - those perfectly staged homes in magazines?

They don't have toddlers conducting science experiments with their breakfast.

Here's how to create a home that photographs beautifully while actually functioning for your family:

+ In the living room, replace a coffee table with a storage ottoman

+ Use washable slipcovers in light, neutral colors

+ Install hooks at kid-height for easy cleanup

+ Choose attractive bins that coordinate with your decor

+ Create a capsule toy collection that's manageable (you’ve been meaning to clean out the toy room for ages anyway!)

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Pro Tip: Invest in attractive storage solutions that match your decor for these spaces. I love IKEA's KALLAX units with aesthetic insert boxes - they look great in listing photos while hiding the inevitable kid clutter.

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Managing Schedules and Expectations

As a mom who's navigated many a showing around nap time (and the subsequent meltdowns), I can't stress enough the importance of setting realistic showing boundaries.

Showing Schedule Tips

+ Block out nap times and bedtimes

+ Request minimum notice periods

+ Communicate preferred showing windows to your agent (This is SO important! Let’s have the buyers plan their schedules appropriately rather than asking them to go back and change if it’s scheduled at a bad time)

Emergency Exit Strategy

Keep these items packed in the car to head out in a hurry:

+ Non-perishable snacks

+ Water bottles

+ Change of clothes

+ Diapers and wipes

+ Entertainment items (coloring books, tablets, small toys)

*In it’s own section*

Go-To Destinations for Last-Minute Showings

+ Local parks

+ Library

+ Indoor play areas

+ Target (my personal favorite)

+ Grandparents' house

For a list of the best indoor play spaces in the twin cities, follow THIS LINK

Making the Kids Part of the Team

One of the most successful strategies I've seen is making children feel like valued members of the home-selling team. Here's how:

Reward System

+Create a sticker chart for daily room maintenance

* Offer small weekly rewards for consistent effort

My Kids' Listing Contract

I have created a simple "contract" for kids to sign, agreeing to:

+ Make their bed each morning

+ Put toys away after playing

+ Keep clothes in drawers or closet

+ Help with daily room checks

The parents are the final judges as to whether they hold up their end of the contract or not. If they do, I award them with a $20 gift card to a store of their choice at closing.

Lastly, check out the morning checklist on the final page of this guide.

Use this list to take a quick run-through of your home each day before heading out the door so it is showing-ready in case a request comes in during your work day!

Remember to give yourselves some grace. You’ll likely only utilize a couple of these strategies and that’s ok! Trying to do all of them may create more stress than it relieves. You’ll also have some days that go smoothly, and others might feel like controlled chaos. That's okay! Keep your eye on the prize: your next home adventure. And remember, this season is temporary. Soon enough, you'll be making new memories in your next home, looking back on this time with pride (and maybe a little laughter) at how your family tackled it together.

Morning Reset Checklist

Kitchen

□ Dishes in dishwasher

□ Counters wiped

□ Breakfast items put away

□ Floor swept

□ Kitchen towels straightened

Bathrooms

□ Toilets flushed and cleaned

□ Counters wiped

□ Towels straightened

□ Personal items stored

□ Rugs straightened

Bedrooms

□ Beds made

□ Clothes in hamper/closet

□ Toys in designated storage

□ Floors clear

□ Blinds open

Living Areas

□ Pillows fluffed

□ Blankets folded

□ Toys in storage bins

□ Surfaces dusted

□ Floor clear of items

Entry/Exit Check

□ Shoes in designated spots

□ Coats hung up

□ Bags stored away

□ Welcome mat straightened

□ Porch swept

Want to work with a Realtor that helps your whole family navigate this life change?

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