Too many books, too little space? Declutter your kids’ books in just 15 minutes a day without the guilt, and bring back the joy of reading, without the mess!
Our kids’ books can quickly take over our homes. What starts as a small, neat bookshelf can turn into an avalanche of colorful pages in no time.
Books are wonderful, of course! I love books! And I’d love for my kids to love reading too as they grow up!
Books spark imagination, encourage learning, and when done together, they create sweet bonding moments for our kids and us.
But when these books start spilling out of every corner, it can feel overwhelming.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably felt guilty about getting rid of books, especially ones that were gifts or once beloved favorites.
But decluttering kids’ books doesn’t mean you love reading any less. It just means you’re creating a more organized, functional, and enjoyable space for your family.
So, let’s dive into how to declutter kids’ books in a way that’s simple, guilt-free, and totally doable – even for busy moms like us!
Step 1: Set a clear goal.
Before you start pulling books off the shelves, take a moment to define your goal.
Are you hoping to reduce clutter to make more space? Do you want to create a more organized, inviting reading area?
Maybe you want to keep only age-appropriate books and let go of ones your kids have outgrown.
Knowing your purpose will make the decision-making process easier and keep you from feeling stuck in “maybe I’ll keep this” mode.
Step 2: Start small – pick one shelf or bin.
Instead of gathering all the books from every room at once, which can create a bigger mess, you can start small.
Choose one shelf, bin, or area and focus only on that.
Step 3: Sort into categories.
I like using these four categories:
Keep – Books that your kids love and read often, classics you want to hold onto, and any sentimental favorites.
Donate – Books in good condition that your kids have outgrown or lost interest in but could bless another child.
Recycle – Books that are too damaged to donate (torn pages, missing covers, scribbled-on text).
Maybe – Books you’re unsure about. Place them in a separate box, and if no one asks for them in the next few months, donate them.
Give yourself 15 minutes to go through the books in your chosen area. The next day, tackle another area. Do this until you have finished going through all your kids’ books.
This way, you make steady progress without overwhelming yourself or your space.
Let your kids participate in the decluttering process.
Depending on your child’s age, they may want to help with the decluttering process. Younger kids may struggle with letting go, but older kids might enjoy the idea of passing books along to someone else.
Frame it positively: “Let’s find some books to give to another child who would love them!”
If your child is attached to everything, set a limit, like say, five books to donate, then let them pick which ones.
Step 4: Find a thoughtful home for books you’re letting go of.
Once you’ve sorted out the books you’re ready to part with, think about where they could go.
Here are some great places to donate kids’ books:
- Local libraries
- Schools or daycare centers
- Shelters or community centers
- Little Free Libraries in your neighborhood
- Friends or family members with younger children
To give you more ideas, check out our list of places accepting book donations: Places Accepting Books Donations
Knowing that your books will be loved by another child can help ease any guilt you might feel about letting them go.
Step 5: Organize the books you’re keeping.
When you have pared down your kids’ collection, it’s time to organize the books in a way that works for your family.
Here are some ideas:
Sort into categories – Picture books, early readers, chapter books, etc.
Group by author or series – If your child loves certain authors or book series, keeping them together makes it easier to find favorites.
By color – A fun, visually appealing way to store books, especially if your child loves bright colors.
Rotation system – If you still have a lot of books, consider storing some away and rotating them every few months to keep things fresh.
Step 6: Create a cozy and inviting reading space.
Decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of things. It’s about making space for what matters.
So now that you’ve cleared out the excess, why not create a reading nook that encourages your kids to enjoy their books?
It doesn’t have to be elaborate. A simple corner with a comfy chair, a small bookshelf, and good lighting can turn reading time into a magical experience that they will treasure for life!
Maintaining Your Decluttered Space
To keep books from piling up again, try these simple habits:
Adopt the “one in, one out” rule – When a new book comes in, donate an old one.
Regularly reassess the collection – Every few months, do a quick scan and see if there are books your children have already outgrown.
Use a library instead of buying – Libraries are amazing for keeping variety without adding to clutter!
Let go of guilt!
It’s easy to feel sentimental about books, but remember: the goal isn’t to get rid of everything.
The goal is to curate a collection that fits your family’s needs and brings joy instead of stress.
By letting go of books your kids no longer use, you’re making room for more meaningful reading experiences.
So, take a deep breath, grab a cup of coffee (or tea! or chocolate!) and start decluttering. Your kids’ bookshelves, and your sanity, will soon thank you!
Have you tackled decluttering your kids’ books before? I’d love to hear your tips and experiences in the comments or in email!
Need more decluttering tips? Check these out!
- 5 Things to Declutter Every Month for a Tidier Home
- The Power of Decluttering One Drawer at a Time
- Decluttering with Toddler Underfoot: A Homemaker’s Guide
- or simply visit our Declutter category page for everything about decluttering!
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