IKEA UK and Hey Duggee Songwriters Make Tidying Terrific with ‘Tidy up Tune’

Parents should get ready to assemble a whole new morning routine, as IKEA launches its first-ever song, encouraging children to find the fun in tidying up.

As families across the UK brace for the return of the busy school routine, new research from the leading home furnishing retailer has uncovered the widespread challenge of morning stress. According to IKEA’s research, almost half of UK parents (45%) find the morning rush and getting out of the door is the most challenging aspect of the back-to-school routine.

The findings revealed that parents spend an average of 10 minutes every morning on a 'treasure hunt' for lost items, losing a total of three and a half days per year just looking for their kids’ misplaced belongings.

This chaos has real consequences: over half of parents (57%) admit their child has been late for school due to a hectic morning routine, while a third (31%) have missed handing in homework. Furthermore, almost two-thirds of parents (65%) report that a chaotic morning negatively impacts their mood for the rest of the day.

To help parents navigate the back-to-school stress, IKEA has partnered with the songwriters behind the beloved Hey Duggee series to create the ‘Tidy Up Tune’, designed to help children and parents conquer morning chaos and master the art of tidying up. The launch is based on research showing that almost four in five (78%) would be open to using a dedicated song to make tidying more engaging.

The ‘Tidy Up Tune’ transforms mundane chores into an exciting adventure. Its catchy melody and playful lyrics guide children through tasks such as putting away clothes, sorting toys and packing away art supplies. The iconic chorus line: ‘So if you see something on the floor… Could you pop it in a drawer? Or anywhere at all except the floor,’ – will ring true to the majority of parents. This fun, accessible approach aims to instil a sense of responsibility and routine for families, helping to reduce morning stress for the one in two parents (54%) who feel their morning routine is stressful.

When asked about the biggest challenges in getting children to tidy up, parents cited their kids getting distracted (58%) and lack of time (33%). A whopping four in five parents (84%) believe it's important for children to develop good tidying habits early, with the majority (70%) believing that kids should start actively participating in tidying up their own spaces by age six.

Anna Arokiam, home furnishing and retail design manager, IKEA UK, said, "For over 80 years, IKEA has been inside people's homes, continuously learning how to make everyday life better and less stressful. We understand the immense pressure that many parents are under when a new term rolls around, so we know that bringing joy into daily routines is more important than ever. Our 'Tidy Up Tune' is a playful way to empower children, reduce parental stress, and foster a sense of responsibility, proving that organisation and tidying up doesn’t need to be boring."

The catchy tune encourages kids to pop their things away properly in drawers or boxes, just anywhere but the floor. Families can have fun trying to pronounce the Swedish names together, from the kid-friendly TIGERFINK storage, perfect for stuffed animals, or the ocean-themed BLÅVINGAD storage bag.