Back-to-school shopping is exciting for your kids, but choosing super-cute school supplies isn't the only thing you have to think about. As a parent, you have to plan lunches for your picky eater, figure out how to organize the endless amounts of paperwork that comes your way during the school year and pinpoint clever ideas to streamline your morning routine. If you're feeling stressed about all of these little details, the best way to tackle them is to be proactive by adopting smart organizational hacks.
Start off the new school year stress-free by considering these easy-to-follow school organization ideas and tips. These back-to-school hacks won't break the bank either. You'll only need to set aside some time at the beginning of the school year to implement these organizing solutions, and if you maintain them regularly throughout the year, day-to-day school activities won't seem like a chore. Click through for our pointers if you're determined to get an A+ this year.
Stacy Zarin Goldberg
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Install floor-to-ceiling shelving.
If your children have a dedicated room for tackling homework and enjoying downtime after school, outfit it with floor-to-ceiling shelving. Display a mix of their favorite toys (don't forget to sprinkle in a few educational ones) and books to make it a fun place to hang out.
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Snag an over-the-door organizer.
Over-the-door organizers aren't just for shoes. They're versatile enough to contain your kid's art supplies, small toys and bath products.
Courtesy of Amanda Walker
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Transform a closet into a book nook.
Make reading a joy for your child by turning a drab closet into a charming haven for books, as seen in this setup from DIY home designer Amanda Walker. Paint the walls in a bold shade, like yellow, to make the small space a focal point.
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Try reusable storage bags.
Since snack time can get hectic, give each kid their own reusable storage bag to keep the bickering to a minimum. Designate different colored bags for each child so there's no confusion.
Courtesy of Driven by Decor
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Use magazine holders for water bottles.
If your favorite student can't seem to find a reusable water bottle that's intact, make it easier by placing their collection in magazine holders.
See more at Driven By Decor »
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Use a bathroom caddy.
Don't encourage your teen to waste time scrambling to get ready in the morning. Keep their morning essentials, like hair products, in a bathroom caddy to make things easy to find in a pinch.
MoMo Productions
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Hang backpacks on their desk chair.
It's A-OK if you don't have a mudroom or spot near your entryway to store backpacks. Keep them behind your child's desk chair so it's easy to grab every morning.
Tattered Style
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Make a muffin tin work as an organizer.
It's never fun dodging items like thumbtacks or paper clips on your floor. Encourage your student to keep their small school supplies in order in a good ole muffin tin.
See more at Tattered Style »
Get Simplifized
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Find creative uses for binder clips.
Simple As That
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Store errant papers in an envelope.
Chances are you've spotted your kid digging through the bottom of their backpack for a small piece of paper, including important information for a school assignment. Prevent this from happening regularly by glueing a large envelope to the inside cover of their go-to notebook. It's a great way to keep loose papers in one spot.
Rebecca NelsonGetty Images
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Build the ultimate homework station.
"In order to organize a powerhouse homework station, you must first understand the needs of the child or children," says Jessica Kennedy, productivity and organizing professional. "Organize the necessary tools and supplies in bins or baskets, and color code them if they're being used by multiple children. Label every bin and basket. Assign a spot to display artwork or notes of encouragement. Be sure the space is well lit!"
Ian NolanGetty Images
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DIY a mudroom.
Keep everything you need to fly out the door by the door, so you can avoid running around the house when it's time to go. Hang coats and backpacks on hooks and keep shoes (and clean socks!) below.
ALISON GOOTEE
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Emily Kate Roemer
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Streamline the bathroom.
Keep mornings running smoothly with an organized bathroom. Store hair tools on the cabinet door, and go-to products on a turntable. When everything's in its place, you can grab what you need in a flash and know when the toothpaste is running low.
Cozi App
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Stay connected.
Download a family calendar app (like the Cozi Family Organizer) to keep everyone's schedules straight and color-coded. Plus it allows for shared reminders and editable shopping lists, so you'll never forget when it's your turn to bring snacks to soccer practice again.
Mag-Fancy
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Post the Schedule Where Everyone Can See It
Digital calendars are great for keeping track of all the details: the addresses, the notes, the directions for getting places. But it's also helpful to have the big events posted IRL, where everyone can see the shape of the week at a glance. Use a dry-erase board, a chalkboard, or even index cards hung from a clothesline with clothespins. Use a different color marker or chalk for each member of the family.
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Label, label, label!
Between the bus ride, the long days at school, and extracurricular activities, it's easy for things to get misplaced. Skip the label maker and go with one of these more durable bands, which can be reused.
B. BlueGetty Images
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Plan dinners in advance.
Busy families can save major time and money by preparing their dinners on Sundays instead of resorting to takeout. Plus, knowing what's for dinner will leave you one less thing to worry about during those crucial, post-school hours.
RELATED: A Beginner's Guide on How to Meal Prep Like a Pro
Post-It
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Always use sticky notes.
For reminders you just can't forget, write them on a sticky notes and place them where they're most helpful. Keep a list of college application to-dos on a Post-It stuck to your teenager's laptop or place a sticky note on the door to remember sneakers for the class field trip.
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Try a smart home device.
Even little kids can start to develop morning routines, thanks to the Echo Dot Kid's Edition. It can tell them the weather and set alarms for waking up, brushing teeth, and getting dressed. Plus, you can call them to dinner with the Echo in your kitchen!
Mike Garten
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Create a coffee cart.
Turn a bar cart into your local coffeehouse with your coffee maker and mugs within easy reach. Add breakfast bars and dry cereal to the shelves so kids can grab and go.
Peakeep
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Get kids out the door faster.
Late on the first day? Not a good look. Keep stragglers in line by setting an alarm clock or timer to ring at strategic intervals, like 10 minutes before the bus comes.
Andrew McCaul
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Ditch bulky binders.
Snap up notebooks with tear-out pages and accordion file folders with tabs for each subject instead. Your student takes notes in class, then slips the pages and any handouts into the designated slot. At the week's end, she empties all the materials into a color-coded filing system at home for safekeeping.
Andrew McCaul
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File everything.
Create a "home file" for the year with a file box or a cabinet drawer. Each class gets its own color-coded file for easy searching. Not only does this system give kids a place to unload past assignments, it also helps them organize reference materials (e.g., a periodic table of elements) as the semester changes.
EDIT PRODUCT Blu Monaco
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Have an inbox just for you.
Papers that require a parental once-over — permission slips that need a signature, sign-up sheets for volunteer slots — should have their own designated place, so they don't get tangled up with your kids' assignments. Get them in the habit of putting your correspondence in its own letter tray.
Andrew McCaul
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Start a supply stash.
You know the feeling — it's 9 p.m. and you're out of posterboard for your son's project that's due at 8 a.m. Prevent future late-night freak-outs by refreshing the store pile: markers, index cards, and so on. You can also save cash by buying products in bulk.
LAFinestVinylDesigns
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Prepare for the photo ops.
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Organize the backseat.
Breezing through the drop-off line is easy when kids can grab tissues or (let's face it) on-the-go breakfast from a stash in the car. It beats trying to hand them something from your purse while you're driving.
Mike Garten
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Own the after school snack game.
Pull this rabbit wrap out of your hat for a healthy afternoon treat. For a super cute side, fill a paper cup with hummus and make it look like baby carrots are sprouting up from it.
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Plan ahead.
Teach older children time management through "week-at-a-glance planners." Before starting homework, have kids check their planner, assess their work, and unpack accordingly. As each to-do is done, it goes back into the bag — so nothing gets left at home.
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Marisa LaScalaSenior Parenting & Relationships EditorSenior Parenting & Relationships Editor Marisa LaScala covers all things parenting, from the postpartum period through empty nests, for Good Housekeeping; she previously wrote about motherhood for Parents and Working Mother.
Monique ValerisSenior Home Editor, Good HousekeepingMonique Valeris is the senior home editor for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital.
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