Summer isn't always the easiest time to stay organized; The kids are home from school, routines have changed, and there's more traffic in and out of the house. Although your schedule is probably more relaxed, staying on top of things can be challenging. Here are some tips for staying organized so you can enjoy more time with your family and everything the season has to offer.

1. Swap out cold weather gear for warm weather gear. In your closet or mudroom, pack up the boots, scarves, and gloves and store them away. Make space for flip flops, rain jackets, and beach towels. Designate a spot for pool toys and beach gear so they are easy to access.
2. Make a "To-Go" bag for last-minute plans. Summer plans aren't always scheduled so it's a good idea to have a bag ready for the beach or pool. Fill it with water bottles, a small cooler, SPF, towels, and snacks, so you can get out of the house in a moment's notice.
3. Prep the car. Summer is a popular time for outdoor activities. Pack the car with the essentials like folding chairs, sports equipment, an umbrella, a blanket, and extra sunblock. When you need to stop off at a game after work or you decide to have a picnic on the fly, you'll be prepared.
4. Stock your pantry. When the kids are home and hungry, or you're working through lunch from home, you may not have an opportunity to run out to the store. Make a list to include plenty of staples to have on hand. To keep things organized, install glide-out shelves from Shelf Genie in your pantry. At a quick glance, you can find everything you need.
5. Get rid of the clutter. The end of the school year brings a lot of extra stuff back into the house. Old notebooks, pencil cases, and papers can quickly pile up. File the items you want to keep and recycle or repurpose items the kids no longer need.
6. Strip the beds of heavy blankets. Less is more in the summer, so clean and store winter bedding. Save space by shrinking the bedding in bags. Replace with lightweight blankets or comforters that will change the look and feel of your beds.
7. Stay on top of the laundry. Frequent clothing changes in the summer can add to your laundry routine. Instead of letting everything pile up all week, put a load on each morning. Separate dirty items into baskets to keep things organized and easy to manage.
8. Organize a garage sale. Get rid of unwanted items and free up space by planning a garage sale. Get the kids motivated to declutter by involving them in the process. Use the money earned to do a fun activity together.

Encourage everyone in the house to lend a hand with cleaning and organizing. Create chore charts, make it a game, or just simply ask for help. Summer goes by quickly and you don't want to miss out on all the fun, so get organized and enjoy it!