From Backpacks to Beach Days: Tackling End of School Year Organization for Grade Schoolers

Here in the South, school is out, and summer has begun!  Whether you have more time available to get projects done over the less hectic summer months or even if you become time challenged due to kids being home and vacation plans, here are some end of school year organization projects to tackle.  Bonus points for making them a group family activity!

End of School Year Organization Project #1 – Kids’ Backpacks and Lunchboxes Cleanout: (15 minutes to an hour, based on how much is in said backpacks)

Don’t let those backpacks sit around all summer long!  For starters, those empty wrappers and lunch leftovers are sure to set off an odor nightmare.  But secondly, it’s best to go through the papers and folders while subject matter is still fresh to see what may be worth keeping for future reference. 

So, go ahead and empty those babies out all over the kitchen table, counter, or floor.  Sort out the trash and separate the papers by class.  Any worthwhile papers can be stored in their folders or binders in a convenient location to where your child does homework or create a reference file system with folders for each class where those papers can be easily retrieved. 

Lastly, sort the supplies which are “banged up” and need to be trashed versus those that can be reused next year.  Store those in an area where you will remember you have them for when it’s time to get ready for the next school year. 

Make sure the kids help decide what to keep and where so they can remember where to find these items when they need them.

End of School Year Organization Project #2 – Kids’ Art and Schoolwork: (1 hour or more if there is a large quantity)

Yes, we want to keep our kids hard work and artistic creations, but it is not realistic, nor advised, to keep it all!  And let’s face it, those large solar system projects take up a whole lot of room. 

Take a picture of the item, or even better with your child proudly beaming with it.  Keep the picture, toss the item.  Even well written papers can be scanned and saved online. 

If you must keep the object, then have a designated keepsake bin or display shelf in his/her room where it can live.  I recently discovered this company, Art Kive which makes this project super easy!

End of School Year Organization Project #3 – Kids’ Clothing: (1-3 hours)

Now is a great time to assess a child’s wardrobe, purging too small/too worn items.  Donate the good items to a charity of choice, worthwhile causes being Foster Care Support Center, battered women’s shelters, North Fulton Charities, and yes, Goodwill.  I recently spent 3 hours in my own son’s room cleaning out his room, dresser, and closet. Poor child was left with a good supply of tee shirts and dress socks.  The rest – mostly too small!  Give it a good sort, purge and reorg.

Does your child wear a uniform?  Which items will still fit next year, and which are too small?  Pull out those that won’t fit and donate back to the school for a used uniform sale or give to a friend.  Nicely hang, fold, store the keepers so they are ready at the beginning of the year.

When choosing a donation organization, discuss the options and their missions with your children and have them help decide where their oldies but goodies will go.

End of School Year Organization Project #4 – Beach/Pool/Outdoor Toys: (30 minutes to an hour)

Are ratty beach towels hanging out in your linen closet?  What about mildewy pool tools?  Are they located in multiple or inconvenient locations?  Gather them up, assess their usefulness, and store them all together.

And while I provide time estimates for each of these summer organizing projects, they are just that – estimates.  Some of you can accomplish them in less time and some will need more, based on a long list of reasons.  Furthermore, don’t fret about having to do it all at one time.  Does your child’s room overwhelm you to paralysis?  Start with ONE DRAWER!  Set a timer and work in 15-30 minute increments and pick back up the next day. 

Make these projects fun – turn on some good tunes, make it a game, set up rewards for all those who help accomplish the task.  Then enjoy the fruits of your labor by having a wonderful summer! 

And remember, the Put It There team is available to assist.