This season can be a whirlwind for moms and back to school organization is just what you need to start the new school year! From managing paperwork to ensuring your kids have packed lunches, the list of tasks can feel endless. But with a bit of planning and organization, you can streamline your routine and make the transition smoother. Here are some practical tips to help you stay on top of everything during this busy time.
This post is about back to school organization tips for a smooth start to the school year!
1. Paper Organization
Designate a specific spot in your home for school paperwork. A file organizer or a simple tray by the entrance can work wonders. Make it a habit to check and sort through it daily. This way, you’ll never miss a permission slip or important notice.
Create a designated spot for all school-related paperwork. Use folders or trays to sort documents that need signatures, and keep them in a central location to ensure nothing gets lost. A wall-mounted file organizer can work wonders!
2. Homework Organization
Create a dedicated homework station to ensure back to school organization for your kids. This can be a small desk or a section of the kitchen table. Ensure it’s stocked with all necessary supplies like pencils, erasers, and notebooks. Encourage your kids to use this area consistently for their homework.
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.
3. Reading Logs
Set a specific time each day for reading and logging it. Whether it’s right after school or before bed, consistency is key. Use a simple log sheet to track their reading progress.
You can even keep a clipboard near with the reading log to track the days that you read and for how long!
4. Snack Organization
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.
Prepare snacks for the week in advance. Use clear containers and label them by day or type. This not only saves time but also makes it easier for kids to grab a healthy snack quickly.
We adore these snack plates and use them for everything from school and road trips to playdates and camps during summer break!
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.
Use meal planning apps or a simple calendar to keep track of your planned meals.
6. Backpack Organization
Teach your kids to pack their backpacks the night before. Create a checklist of daily items
- books
- homework
- lunch
- water bottles
- folders
- supplies for the day
Creating a checklist reduces the morning rush and ensures nothing is forgotten. I also like to have a dedicated place to hang the book bags. These hooks are the perfect way to keep the backpacks organized and in a dedicated space.
7. School Supply Organization
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.
Allocate a drawer or a shelf for school supplies. 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. Organizing Clothes for the Week
Set aside time each Sunday to plan outfits for the week. Use a hanging organizer with five compartments, labeling each with the days of the week. This not only saves time in the mornings but also reduces decision fatigue.
Pick out outfits for the entire week and hang them in a designated area. This reduces stress during busy mornings and ensures your kids always have clean, coordinated clothes to wear.
9. Time Management
Create a chore chart and daily schedule for your family. This helps everyone know what’s expected and keeps the household running smoothly. Include time for homework, chores, play, and bedtime routines.
I love using this chore 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.
10. Create A Morning Routine
Establish a consistent morning routine to help everyone start the day on the right foot. Include tasks like eating breakfast, brushing teeth, and packing bags. Stick to a schedule to make mornings less chaotic. A good morning routine is exactly what you need to incorporate into your daily routine for back to school organization.
Routines are good habits especially for school days when you need to get out of the house in time.
11. Create a To Do List For School Shopping
List out all the items you need to buy for back-to-school and check them off as you go. This ensures you don’t forget anything important and helps keep shopping trips efficient. Pile up on all your extra school supplies to get you through the school year.
12. School Lunch Choice Board
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.
13. Make a Family Command Center
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. Have a Sunday Reset Routine
A Sunday reset sets the tone for your entire week. I’ve found that the more I prepare myself for the week on Sunday, the less stressed and anxious I feel on Monday. This is especially true at the beginning of the school year. As you’re adjusting to the new school schedule, get a Sunday reset routine in place. Overtime your entire family will expect this reset and it will become a part of your new routine. Ideas to incorporate into your Sunday reset routine include:
- 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)
15. Prep For Back To School
A few weeks before school begins, start transitioning back to school routines. Adjust bedtimes, plan school lunches, and organize school supplies to ease the shift from summer to school mode.
You can use this first day of school sign for the upcoming school year!
These first and last day school signs also contain a back to school questioner to remember information about the student.
16. Organize the Car
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.
- 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
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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