You are nicer then I was about the kids stuff being left out! At age 6, if the items were left out after bedtime it went in the donate box in the garage. They had to retrieve it before the box was taken to the thrift store or lose it for good. Books, shoes, games, didn't matter it was tossed in the box before I went to bed. After age 7 I never had to pick up after my kids again. They could toss it in their room but it had to be out of the living area.