Back to School Organization Tips and Tricks
Post by Christina of Christina Williams Blog
School starts here in less than a week; and I’m trying my hardest to get my act together so we’ll be able to handle whatever the new year throws at us. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve and some must-have items that help organize the whole family and their stuff so mornings aren’t a complete circus.
Take a look at some of my favorite school year organization items:
- Take Five Wall Bin: Perfect for corralling all those permission slips and school calendars. Everyone gets their own pocket so don’t waste time looking for everyone’s stuff.
- Wrightwood Toy Box: We don’t have much closet space near the front or back door, so we created our own by using a storage bench to hold backpacks. Everyone comes home, empties their backpacks and puts them in the bench; then we know exactly where they are during the morning scramble. Plus this one is sleek and stylish and looks great in grownup spaces.
- Lunchbox Notes: Every year I swear I’m going to do a cute lunchbox note every day. And then I don’t. So here’s an easy shortcut…just buy them pre-made, and all you have to do is throw one in while you’re packing lunch. Plus, my friend MJ made these for Nod, and nobody does lunchbox notes better.
- Wall Hooks: This has been one of my favorite organizational tricks ever. Each of my kids has a hook (or two) in their closets that is specifically for their coat/jacket. For some reason, their jackets become invisible when hanging on a hanger with the rest of their clothes. Before the hooks, it went something like this: “Moooom! I can’t find it!” I trudge up the stairs and point out the missing jacket hanging right in front of their face. They look surprised. We repeat the whole scenario every single day. After I installed the hooks, I just say, “grab your jacket. it’s on your hook.” Even my 3-year-old gets this concept; and it saves me multiple trips (and lots of frustration) retrieving “missing” items.
- I Could’ve Been An Art Caddy: I keep plenty of freshly-sharpened pencils and a good assortment of unbroken crayons in ours on the kitchen table. Then when homework time rolls around everyday, we don’t have to rummage through our drawers for a sharp pencil or that red crayon. Plus, since it’s a cute container I totally don’t mind having it as a centerpiece on our table.
- Storage Bins: This is another one of my better organizational moments. Each kid has a bin for each of their extracurricular activities. All the gear for one activity goes in the same bin. Then we don’t have to turn the house upside-down for one missing cleat; or that non-itchy pair of ballet tights. It took a little practice; but now my kids are pretty good at keeping their stuff together…so worth the effort!
- & 8. Homework Desk + Chair: Having a place dedicated to homework makes concentrating a little easier; and it doesn’t hurt when they’re stylish and fun to look at, too!
One lesson I learned the hard way, is LABEL EVERYTHING! We have lost so much stuff over the years; and the only things that consistently make their way home are the ones with labels. To help the labeling process go smoother, I’ve made a printable label for you. Use them as bookplates, or in lunch boxes; just hop over to my blog and download your favorite color. Print them out on a full sheet label, and trim them to size. Then stick them everywhere. I mean EVERYWHERE.
My final back-to-school trick: Have a great backpack! Make sure it’s not too big; and the more unique, the better so your kid can easily spot it at school and so it doesn’t get it mixed up with another student’s. This pink unicorn backpack does just the trick! And it’s a great size for my kindergartener.
Here’s hoping we all adjust to structured days and practicing our times tables quickly and painlessly. Happy School Year!
Christina Williams is a blogger and graphic designer living in Salt Lake City, Utah. She’s a night owl and a bookworm, as well as a mother to three children ranging in age from two to eight. She shares her latest DIY and design projects along with her adventures in parenting on her self-named blog, Christina Williams.