Having kids means never knowing where things are going to turn up. (Exhibit A: Spider-Man action figure wrapped in a baby wipe stashed in a mixing bowl.)

Make sure there’s a place for it all with Less Is More, a home organization service that specializes in families. With a background in museum curation, owner Sarah Giller Nelson turns her eye toward giving rooms color, balance, and a new lease on neatness.

In the playroom, Nelson favors classroom-inspired setups where art materials, dress-up garments, and toys are parceled out into different activity zones. Closets get an overhaul as she rifles through kids’ clothes, separating items according to size and season.

If you need help with grown-up stuff, she’ll show you how to organize school papers, bills, and catalogs. (Tip: It’s okay to have a “To File” file.) Even the messiest of junk drawers is whipped into shape with creative use of containers.

The only thing you won’t be able to contain is your excitement.

Less Is More (773-960-2484 or lessismoreorganizers.com), $55 per hour, three-hour minimum.

	Kid-friendly homes don’t have to be a snooze. Find more design ideas your whole brood will love.

SHOP
Babies, Tots ’n’ More
What: Browse gently used children’s clothing, gear, and toys at the twice-yearly gold mine of a consignment sale.
Why: You can consign your own loot (advance registration is required online at babiestotsconsignment.com) with the option to donate to charity what does not sell.
When: Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. & 1-4 p.m.
Where: 1505 W. Chicago Ave., at Glenview Ave. Admission is free.

FROLIC
Twentieth Annual Harvest Festival
What: Build scarecrows, listen to live music and storytelling, and hoof it around a 46-acre nature preserve.
Why: Beautiful, ripe fall color.
When: Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd., b/t Peterson & Bryn Mawr Aves. (312-744-5472). Admission is free.

OUI
Fall French Market
What: Lycée Français de Chicago’s annual food and gift bazaar comes equipped with a supervised children’s pavilion housing a magician, performances, and arts and crafts.
Why: Drop them, then shop.
When: Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: 615 W. Bittersweet Pl., at Marine Dr. (773-665-0066). Market admission is $5 for adults, free for children. Children’s pavilion drop-off is $10 per child, $5 for each additional child (for up to two hours).

Photo: Thinkstock