6 low-cost organization tools for kids

Helping kids get organized doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Try these simple tools, which can be extra helpful for kids who struggle with organization.

1. Downloadable picture schedules and planners

Picture schedules or visual planners use images to lay out the steps to do a task. For example, a morning routine might have pictures of getting out of bed, brushing teeth, getting dressed, and eating breakfast.

These kinds of visual checklists can reduce the stress of reading. They look a bit like comic strips. They can also be small enough to be posted discreetly in the right location.

Download sample picture schedules and visual planners to help kids follow routines like getting ready for school or bedtime.

2. Countdown clock

A countdown clock or visual analog timer can help kids get a better sense of how time can be broken into chunks and visualize the passage of time. These special clocks use color to show how much time has passed or how much is left, making it easier for children to understand time.

You can buy this kind of clock online. To make your own, pick up four colors of cellophane wrapping paper at your local dollar store. Divide the clock face into quarters and put different color cellophane over each section. This lets your child see time in 15-minute blocks.

3. Supply caddy

Instead of having supplies scattered all over the place, keep them all in a shower caddy or cleaning supply caddy. Help kids organize supplies by function (like pencils and markers, and scissors and glue).

Get a supply caddy that has a handle so it can be stored when not in use and carried to a homework spot when needed.

4. Color-coded supplies (2-minute video)

Color-coding school supplies can make organization easier and more streamlined for kids and the adults in charge. Assigning different colors to various supplies can help kids quickly identify what they need for each subject or task.

For example, get three pocket folders in different colors. Use the first color for papers that need to come home but that don’t need to go back to school. Use the second color for papers that need a caregiver’s attention and have to be returned to school. And use the third color for homework, labeling one pocket “To Do” and the other “Completed.”

5. Pizza box portfolios

Pizza box portfolios are a great space-saving solution. They stack right on top of each other. Ask your local pizza place for some clean, large pizza boxes. Kids can decorate and label them. Then start putting graded spelling homework in one box, art projects in another, and so on.

Since there’s limited space, make sure the papers are flat and stacked instead of crumpled into a ball.

6. Wall calendar

A large calendar for family appointments and events can help kids see that organization is a lifelong skill. Everyone — even young kids — can see how they fit into the bigger picture of the household. Try using a different color marker for each family member to highlight different schedules.

More resources

• Get tips on how to keep backpacks organized.

• Learn how to help kids open a combination lock.

• Explore tools and tips to help teens get organized.