Smart Strategies to Organizing Your Kids’ Closets and School Bags

Waking up early to get the kids ready for school is hard enough.

But who went the extra trouble of hunting for that left sock, or that pair of scissors for art class, or the Get-In-touch notebook?

I know I did, a million times! 

Say goodbye to crazy and messy weekday mornings by following these tips! 

Closet Cleanup

1. Label everything.  Sticking labels onto containers or drawers can help both you and your child easily identify its contents.  Drawer 1, for example, may be labeled “SOCKS.”  Using labels with pictures can even benefit younger kids who are learning to read.
2. Always make things accessible to kids.  Not all closets were built with little ones in mind.  Help them get to what they need by using a few tools like hooks.  Suction-type hooks are durable enough and can be raised as the child grows.  Use a tension rod, available at hardware stores, so that clothes may be hung lower in a closet.  Regular clothing rods are usually too high for kids to reach.
3. Provide a space for everything.  Without proper storage, it will be hard for your kids to put things away and keep their closet neat.  Provide containers that are easy for kids to grip and carry.  Check the weight.  Is it too heavy for your child?  This is also a safety precaution.  Never store heavier items on top of cabinets.
4. Make room.  Purge outgrown items twice a year.  These include clothes your child refuses to wear for whatever reason.  Do this a few weeks before Christmas or on your child’s birthday, and then take your child with you as you donate this to charity.

Organizing Your Child’s Bag

1. Have enough room for everything.  The bag may be cute, but if it is not going to hold all your child’s things, you’re better off with another.
2. Pockets keep school supplies in order.  Lots of outside pockets keep your kid’s school things organized.  Help him assign pockets for different things.  Once he is assigned a pocket for something, have him stick to it.
3. Proper packing.  Teach your kids to pack their school things properly.  Not only will this maximize school bag space, it will also make it easier to find needed things.  Books should be arranged by height. Label the tip and sides of your kids’ books and notebooks, so they are easy to identify whichever way they are packed.