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It’s always a challenge to keep your home organized when you have children. Add in the back-to-school onslaught of school forms, permission slips and fliers, backpacks, lunch boxes, and shoes, and things can go off the rails quickly! I’ve found that the right product to contain the chaos can make the days operate more smoothly.
I’ve rounded up the best products to help you organize items such as school papers, sports gear and electronics, plus ways to maximize underused areas like beneath the sink and bed. And to help kids become more independent, I’ve found interactive chore charts, visual timers and even a day-of-the-week outfit storage so kids can easily dress themselves. From a homework station to a family calendar, I hope you will discover something that makes life a little easier.
Daily routines and kid independence
Try these storage solutions to help kids keep track of their own stuff and flex their independence muscles.
Under bed storage with wheels
These wood storage containers that fit under the bed are great for extra toys, clothing, games or whatever you need to store. The attached wheels make it easy for kids to pull the containers in and out and get what they need. Great for smaller spaces and older homes with small closets.
Weekly clothes organizer
How much easier would mornings be if you didn’t have to help kids pick out their clothes every day? This organizer allows you to choose a whole week’s outfits. Each section is labeled with the day of the week and has a larger pouch for pants, skirts and tops, along with a smaller pocket for socks and underwear.
Visual timer
Transitioning from one task to the next can be tough for kids, and this cute gadget can help. The allotted time shows on the timer as a colorful rainbow that shrinks as the time runs out, giving kids a visual cue. Great for timing reading and screen time.
Charts with pictures for daily tasks
This interactive chore chart makes completing daily tasks more fun, without you reminding them over and over … and over. This comes with two charts, one for morning and one for evening. When the task is completed, the child moves a slider from an X to a checkmark. The set includes common chores such as “brush teeth” and “go potty” with pictures for prereaders, along with blank labels to add your own.
Stuffed animal storage
This Montessori-inspired stuffie storage unit fits neatly into the corner of a room. It features rounded edges and flexible bungee cords, making it easy for kids to grab and put away their own soft toys. It holds up to 50 toys, making it perfect for a shared space.
Paperwork, tech and family command central
Keep important documents in order and your charging cables tamed with these practical solutions.
Accordion paper organizer
Kids come home from school with so many papers! From permission slips to spelling lists, it can be hard to keep track, especially if you have more than one student. This expandable accordion file organizer comes with 13 file folders and holds up to 2,000 sheets of paper (but hopefully you won’t have quite that many!). Labels for each month, plus customizable blank labels, are included. I love that it comes in a variety of colors and will look nice whether sitting on a shelf or tucked away.
Family calendar
It can be hard to keep track of everyone’s activities. This dry-erase calendar goes right on the fridge for easy reference. It includes three different boards for monthly, weekly and daily tasks, six markers, and an eraser. Full magnets on the back prevent slipping and sliding around the fridge.
Homework cart
This three-tiered cart is great for containing everything from art supplies to pencils and books. If your kids do their homework at the kitchen table, you can contain all they need here and then roll it out of sight for dinnertime.
Charging station
Everyone has something that needs charging and this station charges up to 10 devices at once. Charge everything from laptops and phones to tablets. It offers five USB-C and five USB-A ports in one charging dock and delivers up to 750W total output. This also helps to keep devices out of kids’ hands at night when everything gets plugged in before bedtime.
Storage and entryway drop zones
Create a place for everything so you can find what you need, when you need it.
Under-the-sink organizer
Cabinets under kitchen sinks can easily become a black hole of lost objects. These pull-out organizers can tame the chaos, making this area a great place to store lunch boxes and water bottles.
Fridge storage
For refrigerated snacks and lunch box items, these containers for the fridge door can easily organize grab-and-go items. Put these on a lower shelf for kids to get their own snacks or even grab items for packing their own lunches.
Snack organizer for the pantry
These clear organizers are perfect for sorting and storing nonperishable snacks in the pantry. They offer detachable dividers, so you can adjust the compartment size. Place on a low shelf for kids to grab a snack after school.
Hooks for backpacks (holds 40 pounds!)
Tripped over a backpack lately? Installing hooks in an entryway or mudroom is a great way to get backpacks up off the floor, and out from underfoot. These hooks each hold up to 40 pounds and have a double hook, allowing space for both a backpack and coat. The hooks come in multiple colors to match your decor.
Shoe storage with bench
Keep the shoes in one place with this shoe storage bench. It’s perfect for sitting down to take shoes on and off, especially for little kids. The bench can also serve as a staging area to lay out school supplies the night before, making mornings much smoother.
Sports gear storage
Sports gear can quickly take over the house, especially if you have more than one kid playing. This organizer can hold everything from baseball bats to helmets and even a parent’s golf clubs. Put one in the garage or basement (or both!).
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