Busy Mom’s Guide to Organizing Kids’ Art, Toys, and School Papers Leave a comment
Hey there, busy mama!
If you’re anything like me, your home is sprinkled (okay, flooded) with finger paintings, LEGO sets, adorable school projects, and enough glitter to rival a craft store explosion. While I absolutely love how creative my kids are, I quickly realized I needed a simple, realistic system to tame the chaos — without losing my mind.
Today, I’m sharing my tried-and-true tips for organizing your kids’ masterpieces, favorite toys, and school papers. Plus, I’m highlighting my absolute favorite Amazon finds that make the process easier (and even kind of fun!). This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my blog and my coffee habit! ☕
1. Storage Bins: Contain the Crazy
I swear by stackable storage bins with lids. They keep toys, art supplies, and even important school keepsakes dust-free and easy to find.
⭐ My Favorite:
IRIS USA 19 Qt. Stackable Storage Bins with Lids – They’re clear, so you can actually see what’s inside without opening every single bin. Plus, they’re stackable, which is a huge space-saver!
Pro Tip: Give each child their own bin labeled by year or category (e.g., “2nd Grade Art” or “Science Fair Projects”).
- MADE IN USA: Our storage bins are proudly crafted in the USA using high-quality, durable materials, ensuring your belong…
- SEE-THROUGH DESIGN: You can easily see what’s inside the box without opening it, thanks to its transparent design.
- STACKABLE STORAGE: Maximize space in your home, office, or playroom. The securely locking lid keeps items safe and allow…
2. Label Makers: Because Mom Brain is Real
Trust me — invest in a label maker. It’s a game-changer when you’re organizing toys into categories like “Dinosaurs,” “Dress-Up Clothes,” or “STEM Kits.”
⭐ My Favorite:
Brother P-Touch Label Maker – Easy to use, lightweight, and the labels actually stay put — even after tiny sticky fingers grab them a million times.
I even let my kids help me label their bins, which made them way more excited to actually put things away!
- So many uses. There’s no end to the ways you can use your P-touch PT-D210. This label maker has you covered, from file f…
- Portable, Use it on the go or at your desk. Thanks to its lightweight and portable design, the Brother PT-D210 label mak…
- Genuine tapes from Brother for the home and office. Labels made with Brother Genuine TZe Laminated Tape are strong and d…
3. Printable Daily Schedule: Stay On Top of It All
Between morning routines, school drop-offs, meetings, soccer practices, and meal prep, my brain felt like it had a million tabs open. Having a simple daily schedule printable saved my sanity!
✅ Download Your Free Busy Mom Daily Schedule Printable Here:
Download the Free PDF! (Insert your real download link here once ready!)
This easy-to-use printable includes:
- A to-do list section
- Hour-by-hour schedule
- Meal plan area
- Notes for errands, reminders, or self-care moments
Stick it on your fridge, pin it to your family command center, or pop it into a binder. Trust me — it feels so good to check things off and actually see your day coming together.
4. Art Display Frames: Show Off the Masterpieces
I love celebrating my kids’ creativity without cluttering every surface. Art display frames make it easy to rotate new pieces while preserving old favorites.
⭐ My Favorite:
Li’l DAVINCI Kids Art Frame – It holds up to 50 pieces inside and opens like a book! Perfect for preserving those memories without needing a million magnets.
- AMPLE ARTWORK STORAGE: Open the frame door, pop in the newest creation, then close the door to professionally and proudl…
- CHOOSE YOUR COLOR: Select the hue that works best in your display area. The high-quality design and materials will enhan…
- VERSATILE DISPLAY OPTIONS: Mount on the wall permanently in one orientation, or hang with the EZ Clip for easy rotation …
5. Memory Boxes: Keep Only the Best
Not every scribble or coloring page needs to stay forever (trust me, it’s okay to be a little ruthless!). I keep one special memory box per child for truly meaningful items — first report cards, sweet love notes, epic science fair ribbons.
⭐ My Favorite:
Savor Keepsake Boxes for Kids – They’re elegant, durable, and make a beautiful keepsake your kids will love looking through when they’re older.
6. Rolling Craft Carts: Mobile Crafting Magic
Sometimes you just need the whole art station to move. A rolling cart lets you wheel out crayons, paints, and stickers when needed — then tuck them away when you’re done.
⭐ My Favorite:
OLIXIS 3-Tier Rolling Storage Cart – Lightweight, sturdy, and so handy for art supplies or small toys. Plus, it comes in cute colors!
- Metal
- 【Multi-purpose & Fashionable】This 3-tier metal rolling storage cart not only provide large storage space. And simple col…
- 【Movable & Lockable】This mesh utility storage cart contains 4 smooth-rolling wheels that can be rotated 360 degrees, and…
7. Hanging Wall Files: Tame the Paper Piles
Those weekly newsletters, permission slips, and math tests pile up fast. I use wall-mounted file organizers to sort papers immediately — no more lost forms under a mountain of junk mail!
⭐ My Favorite:
SimpleHouseware Hanging Wall File Organizer – Slim, strong, and easy to label by child or category.
- Wall-mounted file organizer is designed for your documents, letters and magazines.
- Clear unbreakable material easy see through what are stored inside the bin.
- Elegant curved design convenient for document retrieval.
8. Art Supply Organizers: Find the Purple Crayon Fast
Gone are the days of digging through random bins for a single marker. A divided art caddy keeps everything neat and ready for creativity!
⭐ My Favorite:
mDesign Plastic Art Supply Organizer with 6 Compartments – Perfect for crayons, scissors, glue sticks, and even paint bottles!
- PRACTICAL STORAGE: With separate compartments, art equipment storage becomes simple with this storage box. There is plen…
- PORTABLE ORGANISER: The arts and crafts storage box features a carrying handle so it can be moved to exactly where it is…
- PERFECT FOR THE DRAWER: This multi-compartment organiser works great on the desk but is also ideal as an office supplies…
9. Keepsake Journals: Capture Those Sweet Memories
Some moments are just too precious not to document. A guided keepsake journal gives kids a place to write, doodle, and reflect — and it’s less clutter-y than a million separate papers.
⭐ My Favorite:
Promptly Journals Childhood History Journal – Covers birth through age 18, with simple prompts and beautiful design.
- The Only Baby Book You’ll Ever Need: A combination of pregnancy journal, baby book, and childhood memory book, this jour…
- Perfect for Busy Parents: Each year can be completed in as little as one hour, so you can easily capture your child’s me…
- High-Quality Keepsake: This premium hardcover journal features an embossed leatherette cover and archival paper that wil…
10. Under-Bed Storage Containers: Hide It, But Keep It Handy
When floor space is limited, under-bed storage becomes your best friend. Perfect for puzzles, board games, and even out-of-season toys.
⭐ My Favorite:
Sterilite 56 Quart Under Bed Storage Box – Slim, durable, and stackable. I even added labels like “Holiday Books” and “Summer Toys”!
- Size: Outside measures 33 7/8″ x 18 3/4″ x 7″, bottom inside measures 30 1/8″ x 15 7/8″ x 6 1/4″.
- Versatile & Convenient: Sterilite’s Latching Boxes are ideal for storage needs throughout the home..
- Effortless Access: Latch design enables the lid to lift smoothly for easy one-handed access.
Final Thoughts
Organizing all the beautiful chaos of motherhood doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With a few smart products and a little system in place, you’ll be amazed at how much lighter and calmer your home can feel.
Plus, when the kids want to show off their glitter dragons or “abstract macaroni art,” you’ll actually know where it is!
You got this, mama! 💪💕
