Getting Kids To Clean Up Room With A Kid-Made Yard Sale

My kids had a yard sale. Anna Frances, 3, Reeves, almost 5 and Brinson, 6 each decided to clear their personal domains of books and toys that they no longer enjoy as much as they once did. They made the selections of goods themselves. They priced the items themselves and they got to decide what to do with the money themselves.
Regardless of whether or not they net any cash, they accepted the challenge and participated in a summer cleaning of their own accord. They were in control and they all had something to gain. There was no power struggle. There were no threats. There were no demands made. And I didn’t convince them of anything.
Here’s how it went down.
I’m sharing this because it might work for you too and that’s what the parent blog is all about. Solving problems, sharing ideas, celebrating the small successes and meeting the daily challenges.
Our yard sale started with a problem. I asked the kids to pick up their toys and put them away. Brinson, the oldest, balked, quickly followed by his younger brother and right in line, in complete sibling solidarity, so did Anna Frances. My parent angel must have been on my shoulder because instead of threatening retribution and “Hoovering” all the toys in a cyclone of Mommy-rage, I simply said (calmly and nonchalantly), “hmmm…I wonder if some of these toys aren’t as interesting to you anymore. Maybe we should have a yard sale and sell the ones you don’t play with. You could have the money you earn and buy something else.” 
I hadn’t thought it through. It just seemed like a possible solution. All three bought into the idea immediately. I pointed out that yard sales take time and planning and we should give ourselves a couple weeks to get ready but the children wanted to do it immediately.  I countered at first and then I decided to use the momentum to my advantage and achieve my original goal of having them pick up their toys.
We got three laundry baskets, one for each child. I invited them to deposit things they no longer wanted into their basket and to put anything they did want back in the proper location in their rooms. Within 20 minutes the task was complete. The toys were separated, picked up and put away. The bookshelves were reorganized and the baskets of items to sell were full.
We had our impromptu yard sale and made a total of $2.25. Fortunately, it began to rain and the kids agreed to try again the next Saturday. We ran a classified ad and put out three signs that the kids made themselves with the help of our work-day sitter, Ms. Arianne.
The next Saturday we set out our table and made $16.80. Brinson got to practice his math skills as he counted up items at 10 and 25 cents each. The kids decided to go to McDonald’s where we spent $18 feeding the whole family including Grandma.  Then we went to the Mission Store and the children donated the remaining toys, books and clothes. Each child got to carry a bag to the donation bin.
Did we make a lot of money? No.  But that was by far the most successful yard sale I have ever had!