For many students, it's the time of year when they start heading back to school. Between drop-off and pickup, homework, tests, extracurricular activities, and lunch prep, things can suddenly become a little hectic, so getting prepared and staying organized is important to ensuring a smooth transition into the school year.
To help out, our friend Cas Aarssen shares her suggestion for setting up a family "command center." Plus, we offer our suggestions for meal prep, entryway storage, and more. Check it out below!
Set Up a Family Command Center
Cas created her own family command center using the Perch Modular System. Its wall plates can be easily attached to the wall using the mounting hardware and/or 3M Command Strips--both are included--and then customized with a variety of magnetic cubbies and dry erase boards. Then, each one can be labeled using a Cricut or similar label maker. "Create a home for kid's artwork, papers that need to be signed, library books, and daily reminders and notes," she suggests. "A back-to-school command center will make busy mornings less hectic, AND keep your home a bit tidier too."
Other product suggestions: Poppin Wall System Components | Bello Pegboards & Accessories | russell+hazel Acrylic Wall Accessories
Labels
Speaking of Cricut, labeling things is a very important part of back-to-school prep. This helps both you and your children remember where everything should be. We also recommend labeling anything your children take to school (backpacks, water bottles, lunch totes, etc.) with their name in case they get lost. (Trust us--we know this from experience.)
Other product suggestions: P-Touch Cube Plus Label Maker | Brother Label Maker | Dymo Embossing Label Maker
Hooks
Whether it's in your coat closet, kids' closet, or on an open wall, a designated space for backpacks and jackets is an absolute must-have. (After all, no one wants to trip over stuff on their way in or out of the house.) This is why the simple addition of a few wall-mounted hooks or an over-the-door hook rack can be a total game-changer. One example is the Orbit 8-Hook Over Door Rack (above); it's a cute storage solution that installs in an instant and can make a huge difference in your morning routine.
Other product suggestions: Yamazaki Rin Wall-Mounted Coat Hook | Umbra Gray 5-Hook Flip Rack | 3M Command Adhesive Nickel Modern Hooks | White & Natural Oslo Over Door Hooks
Lunch & Snack Prep
Preparing fresh lunches and snacks for kids can be a time-consuming endeavor, so efficiency is key. Rather than rushing to do everything right before school, you can prepare lunches the night before using reusable bags or containers that can be quickly tossed into a lunch tote the next morning. To accomplish this, we offer a number of lunch prep options (such as the Zip Top Reusable Silicone Containers, seen above) with airtight seals that keep food fresh all day long.
Other product suggestions: OXO Good Grips Prep & Go Containers | Austin Baby Safari Lunch Bag | Stasher Silicone Reusable Bags | Plastic Food Containers with Light Blue Clips | Lock & Lock Divided Food Storage
Study Zones
Finally, it's helpful for your young students to have a designated space to do homework. That space should be organized, uncluttered, and relatively free of distractions. A simple Elfa desk solution (like the Elfa Platinum & White Study Nook, seen above) doesn't take up much room and can provide the perfect place for your little scholar to study. The beauty of Elfa is that these desk solutions can be adjusted and added-to as time goes on, allowing it to grow as your child does. Plus, we offer a variety of freestanding desks if wall-mounting isn't a viable option.
Other product suggestions: Platinum & Grey Elfa Kids' Mesh Coloring Table | White Elfa Desk with Drawers | Elfa Birch Décor Freestanding Study Zone
Browse our Projects & Inspiration section for other great tips and suggestions. You can also shop our Baby & Kids products for even more ways to keep your little ones organized all year long!
