Back to school season can feel like a whirlwind with papers piling up, supplies scattered, snack chaos, and that eternal question, “where are your shoes?!”
If you’re a busy mom looking to bring some order to the chaos, this post is for you! These back to school organization tips are simple, doable, and mom-tested!
Whether you’re juggling multiple kids or just trying to survive those early mornings, these genius systems will set your family up for success all school year long.
This post is about back to school organization tips for a smooth start to the school year!
1. Set Up A School Paper Station
Create a home for all the papers. Permission slips, flyers, newsletters, and reading logs should all be in one place.
Paper Station Tip #1:
Wall-mounted file organizer near the front door or kitchen
Paper Station Tip #2:
Create three folders: “Needs To Be Signed” “Keep” “Turn In”
2. Create a Homework Station
Create a dedicated homework station to ensure back to school organization for your kids. Set up a homework station with all necessary supplies like pencils, erasers, and calculators. Use a calendar to track assignment due dates and encourage your kids to tick off completed tasks.
Homework Station Tip #1:
Set up a small table or desk with school supplies in a caddy
Homework Station Tip #2:
Keep sharpened pencils, scissors, crayons, and paper handy
Homework Station Tip #3:
Add a dry erase board or homework calendar
3. Keep A Reading Log Spot
Set a specific time each day for reading and logging it. Whether it’s right after school or before bed, consistency is key.
Reading Log Spot Tip #1:
Clip a reading log to a clipboard
Reading Log Spot Tip #2:
Keep your reading log in the same spot every day
Reading Log Spot Tip #3:
Schedule a consistent reading time after dinner or before bed
4. Organize Snacks For the Week
Let’s reduce the daily “can I have a snack?!” battles. Pre-pack snacks for the week in individual containers or snack bags. Store them in a designated drawer or shelf in the kitchen where kids can easily access them. This saves time in the mornings and ensures they always have healthy options.
Snack Organization Tip#1:
Use labeled bins in the fridge and pantry
Snack Organization Tip #2
Portion out and prepare snacks on Sundays, before the week starts
Snack Organization Tip #3:
Add a small bin in the car for emergency snacks
5. Meal Planning for Breakfast and Dinner
Plan your meals for the week ahead. Create a menu and prep as much as possible over the weekend. This could include chopping vegetables, marinating meats, or even cooking some dishes in advance.
Meal Plan Tip #1:
Use a weekly dry-erase meal planner
Meal Plan Tip #2:
Prep some meals or follow food influencers for motivation. Ideas for meals to prep include breakfast burritos, smoothies, or muffins!
Meal Plan Tip #3:
Keep freezer meals for crazy evenings. I love staying stocked up on Trader Joe’s frozen meals or freezing leftovers from a meal to eat on another day.
6. Backpack Organization
Backpack Organization Tip #1:
Create a checklist of daily items:
- Library Books
- Homework
- Lunch Box
- Water Bottle
- School Folder
- Show and Tell Items
- Additional Supplies
Backpack Organization Tip #2:
Use backpack hooks to keep the items off the floor. These hooks are the perfect way to keep the backpacks organized and in a dedicated space.
7. School Supply Organization
Keeping school supplies mobile is helpful if you don’t have a dedicated space.
Supply Organization Tip #1:
Keep school supplies organized in clear containers or drawers. Label each container so that items are easy to find and put away. You can also create a portable supply caddy that your kids can carry to their homework station.
Supply Organization Tip #2:
I love using a rolling cart for my school supply organiztion too! I’m able to organize art supplies, items for school projects, and other school items my kids need quick access to. This helps avoid last-minute scrambles in the morning and during homework time. The wheels on the cart make it easier to roll around if you don’t have a dedicated space for homework time.
Related Posts: Here’s The Complete Supplies Checklist You Need for Homeschool Essentials
8. Plan Outfits for the Week
Set aside time each Sunday to plan outfits for the week.
Outfit Planning Tip #1:
Use a hanging organizer with labeled days of the week.
Outfit Planning Tip #2:
Encourage your kids to help pick out clothes. In my experience, this has minimized arguing about outfits in the morning. I even have the kids look at my weather app and use it as an opportunity to connect weather and what we wear.
9. Use a Family Chore + Time Chat
Structure helps everyone know what to expect!
Family Chore + Time Chart Idea:
Create a daily chart with your school, chore, and bedtime routines.
10. Create A Calm Morning Routine
Establish a consistent morning routine to help everyone start the day on the right foot.
Morning Routine Tip #1:
Use visual routine cards: include waking up, getting dressed, eating breakfast, brushing teeth, getting packpack, etc.
I love using this daily routine chart in my home! No matter which day of the week (school or not!) we try to use this to help the kids understand what is coming up.
Morning Routine Tip #2:
Use a timer or playlist to keep things moving.
11. Make a School Shopping Checklist
If you’re realizing a theme in this posts about back to school organization tips its make a list!
School Shopping Tip #1:
Print a checklist and tape it to the fridge
School Shopping Tip #2:
Shop your house before buying anything new
School Shopping Tip #3:
Buy extras while they’re on sale to easily restock and replace when needed.
12. School Lunch Choice Board
Lunches get boring fast and making them each day gets old, fast!
Lunch Tips #1:
Create a lunch choice board with different meal options for each day. This allows kids to pick their meals in advance, making lunchtime more enjoyable and causing less stress for you. I love using this choice board for both lunch and after school snacks.
Choice boards are an easy way to make your kids feel in control while also staying organized.
Lunch Tips #2:
Prep some lunch components in advance such as refilling water bottles and pre-packing non-perishable items.
13. Create a Family Command Center
This is the ultimate back to school organization hack!
Command Center Tip:
Set up a family command center with a calendar, bulletin board, and storage bins. Use it to track school events, extracurricular activities, and important deadlines. This central hub keeps everyone informed and organized. Even in a small space you can add a calendar and a small bin in your area. Think of this as a drop zone for your family to easily place important papers and
14. Establish a Sunday Reset Routine
A Sunday reset sets the tone for your entire week and helps you start the week on your own terms!I’ve found that the more I prepare myself for the week on Sunday, the less stressed and anxious I feel on Monday.
Sunday Reset Routine Ideas #1:
- Full everything shower routine
- Clean bedding and laundry for the week
- Clean the house so everything in the right place and your home is orderly
- Plan for the week (use your planner and family calendar)
- Make your to do list for the next day
- Meal prep/meal plan
- Order groceries/ go to grocery store
- Do something relaxing (go on a family walk, go to brunch, light a candle, watch a movie together)
Sunday Reset Routine Ideas #2:
Create a fun Sunday tradition like Sunday night movie or pizza night.
15. Transition Back To School Early
A few weeks before school begins, start transitioning back to school routines.
Back To School Transition Tip #1:
Move bedtime earlier gradually
Back To School Transition Tip #2:
Practice morning routines the week before school
Back To School Tranisition Tip #3:
Create a back to school countdown
16. Organize Your Car
The car clutter is so real, especially after summer!
Car Organization Tip:
Keep your car organized with storage solutions like seat-back organizers and trunk bins. Here are some of the items I like to store in the car to keep it organized:
- Healthy snacks
- Wipes
- Extra clothes
- Utensils ( I like this reusable set!)
- Water bottles (non-plastic because plastic can leach into water as microplastics while sitting in the sun)
- Trash can (reuse plastic grocery bags from your home)
17. Perfect Your Nighttime Routine
End the day with a consistent nighttime routine! A structured routine helps kids relax and prepares them for restful sleep. I have two kids in elementary school and this is how our nightime routine looks. My goal for bedtime is 8pm.
Nighttime Sample Routine
- 5:30pm – 6pm: eat dinner
- 6pm – 6:30pm: nighttime walk
- 6:30pm – 7pm: quiet family game (board game, puzzle, reading together)
- 7pm – 7:15pm: kid’s go to their room for quiet time while I get the bathroom ready for bath
- 7:15pm – 7:45pm: bath/shower, brush teeth, lotion and get dressed
- 7:45pm – 8pm: book, prayers, and bed
18. Add Important School Dates To The Family Calendar
We live by our family calendar! I keep this calendar on the fridge so everyone can see what we have going on. Making sure that the whole family can see the calendar is a good idea because we are all in the loop! If we have a question or we’re trying to write out our to-do list, we can start at the family calendar. This is one of my best school organization solutions for maintaining structure and not dropping the ball on anything.
19. Have a Closet Cleanout
Having a clean closet will help make the mornings so much more smooth! Plus, you’ll want to make room for new school clothes!
Closet Cleanuout Tip #1:
Sort through your kids’ wardrobes to remove clothes they’ve outgrown or no longer wear. This makes room for new school clothes and keeps their closets clutter-free. I like to organize their closet in 2 sections: summer/spring and winter/fall. During the start of the school year it is still warm outside so I will put their summer/spring clothes closer to the bottom on the closet so my son can reach them. As the colder months come, I will rotate the clothes. This helps my son be more independent with choosing his clothes, and helps me to stay organized with fewer trips to the laundry room!
Related Posts: What is Project 333? Declutter Your Closet With This Minimalist Clothing Challenge
20. Declutter Summer Items
Put away summer gear like swimsuits and beach towels to make space for school essentials. Store these items in labeled bins for easy access next year.
You can get these bins here and these labels here.
21. Label Everything
Label school supplies, lunch boxes, and clothing to prevent mix-ups and lost items. A label maker is a great way to easily organize your child’s items for the start of school.
I’ve found that this small and inexpensive label maker works perfectly for the items I need to turn in for my elementary school children!
22. Make a List of After School Activities
Keep track of all after-school activities by creating a list with days and times for each activity. This is especially important with older children who have multiple activities during the school year. From practices and payment due dates to games and team hangouts, write down everything you know as soon as you find out! This ensures you’re always aware of where your kids need to be and helps manage time effectively.
I write everything in my planner. EVERYTHING! This is how I stay the most organized. I still use a paper planner (my favorite planners are from Happy Planner – they’re FANTASTIC!). There are also great digital planners that are paperfree and can be used digitally. These planners have digital calendars that allow you to schedule and track your needs for the start of school
My favorite paper planner!
Amazing, all-in one digital planner
23. Create A Keepsake Box
A keepsake box will help you store all of the important documents from your child’s school work that you may want to save for later! It is a great idea to help organize the most important things from your child’s backpack and the items you want to keep to look back on!
To recreate this keepsake box, grab this portable file box with a handle and use your cricut to make labels (or grab these off Etsy!) and add a file folder set to organize by grade level or subject!
Getting organized for the back-to-school season doesn’t have to be daunting. With these tips, you can create a more structured and less stressful environment for both you and your kids. Remember, the key is to stay consistent and involve your children in the process.
I hope you enjoyed learning about these genius back to school organization ideas to help create an effortless school year!
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