10 DIY Back to School Organization Hacks for Parents

The Best School Organization Tips for Parents

Back to school season is a super busy time and staying organized during all the mayhem can be a challenge, to say the least! If you want to keep everything in check and running smoothly, these DIY back to school organization hacks will help you do just that, with minimal effort.

Oh, and these school organization tips aren’t just for preparing for back to school either. If you set up these systems and maintain them (which doesn’t take long) they’ll allow you to have more time for yourself and a lot less stress throughout the entire school year!

1. Create a lunch station in your fridge

Creating a lunch station in your fridge is so easy! Start by taking a few plastic bins (you can get these from the Dollar Tree) and label them. You can write Pick 1 or Pick 2 to help your kids pack their own lunch in the morning!

For more lunch tips, check out these cold lunch ideas and these awesome lunch box hacks.

2. Organize extra school supplies using drawers or bins

Stocking up on school supplies at the start of the school year is a great way to save money! You can even check out our tips for finding the best back to school deals to save even more.

Once you’re completely stocked up, make sure you don’t lose those amazing school supplies by using drawers or bins to keep them organized! Label each bin with what’s inside to make it easier to find.

3. Use a small drawer system for laying out clothes

As a busy mom, you may not always have time to lay out your kid’s clothes for the week. Instead, use a small cart or drawer system to lay out your clothes! Label each day of the week and put the clothes your kids will wear right in the drawers!

4. Make a dry erase meal planner for your family

Image from Our Hand Crafted Life

You can make your own dry erase meal planner using a simple Dollar Tree picture frame! On a piece of cardstock write Meal Planner and the days of the week on the paper. Then slide it into the picture frame, and reuse it all year long!

We have some other meal planning tips you can check out too that will save you tons of time. Be sure to check out our Prepear review as well, it’s an awesome meal planning app!

Oh, and make sure to keep some of these 30-minute meals in mind for those super busy school nights!

5. Make a DIY command center using picture frames

Image from All Things Thrifty

Our needs change throughout the school year, so create a DIY command center using picture frames! Make a chore chart, calendar, and anything else you might need and put it in the picture frame! Then switch them out as needed!

If you want to go all out, you can get multiple picture frames (like in the photo above) to create a really organized command center. It’s not necessary but it will definitely help you stay on top of everything.

6. Transform a file bin into a school paper organizer

Image from Cleverly Simple

At the beginning of the school year, write your kid’s name and grade on the file bin. Then use dividers to section off parts of the bin. You can organize it by subject, month, or even by type of paper. Throughout the year add papers to the bin.

7. Create a portable homework station

Image from Redefined Mom

If you need to be able to spread out on the kitchen table for homework, make it easier by making your own portable homework station! You can use cardboard or pencil holders to hold supplies for your kids, then attach it to a paper holder and grab this homework station whenever you need to get homework done!

8. Create a designated library book basket

Using a label, attach it to a basket near the door. Put all of your library books here so you never lose them in the house!

9. Create a designated drop zone for backpacks and school papers

Image from No Time for Flashcards

Near the door that your kids come in, create a drop zone for their supplies. Use hooks to hold their backpacks, and a paper holder for their school papers.

10. Make an after-school snack basket for your kids

Image from Chanel Moving Forward

Want after-school snacks to be way easier? Create a snack basket in the fridge or on your calendar for your kids! Then you don’t have to whip something up every day for them.

Conclusion

I hope these back to school organization hacks help you prepare your home so that you are ready for anything that back to school season throws your way! As you start working with the tips above you should notice things going a lot more smoothly around your house!

Have any of your own school organization tips to share? How do you stay organized during the school year?

More Back to School Posts:

• Best Back to School Hairstyles
• 25 Lunch Box Hacks to Simplify Your Mornings
• 20 Great Questions To Ask Kids After School