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Pick up a lunch box with compartments.
2
Pick up a lunch box with compartments.
With four convenient sections, this bento box makes packing lunch easy. There’s a roomy spot for the main meal, like a sandwich or sushi roll, plus smaller spaces for snacks, sauces and treats. All that’s left to do is add an inspirational note for your little one.
RELATED: Best Lunch Boxes and Bags for Kids
Sort supplies into trays.
If your child has the tendency to toss everything haphazardly into their drawers, pick them up a set of drawer organizers. This way, everything has a place.
5
Always use sticky notes.
5
Always use sticky notes.
For reminders you just can’t forget, write them on a sticky note and place them where they’re most helpful. Put a list of college application to-dos to your teenager’s laptop or place a sticky note on the door to remember sneakers for the class field trip.
Weekdays can be hectic. Keep your kids on task by hanging a dry-erase chart that lets them easily track daily chores and tally up their points at the end of the week.
7
Corral essentials in a bedside shelf.
7
Corral essentials in a bedside shelf.
For college freshman preparing to move into dorms for the first time, maximizing space is a must. This bedside tray clips onto the side of your bed, creating a place to store devices, school supplies or snacks.
No matter their age, they’ll love starting the school year off with a brand-new backpack. Let them pick something in their favorite color or pattern, and they’ll be more inspired to keep it clean and organized.
RELATED: The Best Kids Backpacks for School in 2023
9
Keep wires organized on the go.
9
Keep wires organized on the go.
High school and college students will inevitably be lugging around their laptop, iPad and cell phones to and from class — so help them keep their tech accessories tangle-free. They can spend less time searching their backpack for wires and more time focused on the lesson!
Late on the first day? Not a good look. Keep stragglers in line by setting an alarm clock or timer to ring at strategic intervals, like 10 minutes before the bus comes.
11
Bring in a rolling storage cart for extra storage.
11
Bring in a rolling storage cart for extra storage.
Don’t buy all new school and crafting supplies until you’ve got a solution to keep everything organized! Consider a rolling cart with plastic drawers. Tip: use a label maker and add a sticker to each drawer.
12
Encourage students to clean their locker.
12
Encourage students to clean their locker.
Whether you’ve got a first-time middle schooler or notoriously messy high schooler, these magnetic organizers will come in handy at school. They’re perfect for writing utensils and crafting supplies, plus beauty products and hand sanitizers.
13
Post the schedule where everyone can see it.
13
Post the schedule where everyone can see it.
Digital calendars are great for keeping track of all the details: the addresses, the notes, the directions for getting places. But it’s also helpful to have the big events posted IRL, where everyone can see the shape of the week at a glance. Use a dry-erase board, a chalkboard or even index cards hung from a clothesline with clothespins. Use a different color marker or chalk for each member of the family.
15
Create more desk storage.
15
Create more desk storage.
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Help your teen stay organized, whether at home or in their college dorm. This desktop shelf is great for storing textbooks, binders and art supplies.
16
Decorate with sticky note wall decals.
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Decorate with sticky note wall decals.
17
Store spare snacks in the car.
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Store spare snacks in the car.
Between running errands and driving them to after-school activities, you’ve probably got in the habit of carrying granola bars, potato chips and fruit snacks on the go. These reusable snack bags from SCOUT are water-resistant and a great choice for packing back-up snacks.
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Get your entry in order.
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Get your entry in order.
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Start the day off right with a polished entry, including a stylish wall organizer for school forms, doctors’ notes and the like. Keeping these docs by the door (along with your keys) will help you remember to take them before you head out for the day.
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Label, label, label everything.
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Label, label, label everything.
Between the bus ride, the long days at school and extracurricular activities, it’s easy for things to get misplaced. Pick up these personalized tags with your child’s name to help them keep track of their supplies.
Settle on a laundry system.
Rolling hampers make it easy for kids to sort their clothes by darks, lights and colors. To teach them even more responsibility, invite them to help out with folding and placing the items back where they belong.
Senior Parenting & Relationships Editor
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.
Associate Lifestyle Editor
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
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