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48 Back-to-School Organization Ideas That Help Students and Parents

Chore charts, desk supplies, meal prep tips and much more.

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After a summer defined by pool days, bike rides and backyard hangs, September calls and it'll be back to reality. For mom and dad, we're talking a whole new morning routine, school pick-up, after-school snacks and homework schedules. Don't forget to make time for back-to-school shopping, which means essential school supplies, first-day-of-school outfits and the right backpack. To help your entire family start the school year off right, we've rounded up the best back-to-school organization ideas — no matter what grade they're preparing for.

Find advice for elementary school children, middle schoolers, high school teens and even college students preparing for dorm life. We've included tips for organizing your desk and art supplies, whether at home or in the classroom. Plus, shop weekly planners, chore charts and magnetic calendars to keep your whole household on track.

For little ones, we suggest personalized labels for their everyday supplies, plus a fresh lunch box. Prepare middle schoolers or high schoolers with locker organizers, reusable snack bags and an electronic carrier case for their growing tech collection. And for your older teens, it's time to stock up on dorm room essentials and track down the best college backpack. Parents, dedicate a spot for healthy kid snacks, set your entryway up for success and opt for a car organizer (drop-off just got easier). The best part: You don't have to blow your budget to give these organizing solutions a try.

1

Pick up a personalized water bottle.

Pick up a personalized water bottle.
1

Pick up a personalized water bottle.

Now 22% Off
$19 at Pottery Barn Kids

Encourage your kids to stay hydrated by gifting them a personalized water bottle — that'll hopefully be harder to lose. Allow them to choose their favorite pattern, add their first name and send them off to school.

2

Pack up a pencil case.

Pack up a pencil case.
2

Pack up a pencil case.

Now 26% Off

They may have a growing collection of pens, pencils and markers at home, but they can only bring so many back and forth to school. A pencil case with various compartments, pockets and a carrying strap will make it easier.

3

Paint a chalkboard calendar.

desk organization ideas chalkboard calendar
Victoria Pearson

Set up a spot for schoolwork at home, then create a functional backdrop with a layer of chalkboard paint. Draw lines and label days of the week until it resembles a calendar that can track their after-school activities, playdates and school project deadlines.

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4

Clean out and re-organize the closet.

Clean out and re-organize the closet.
4

Clean out and re-organize the closet.

When summer ends, you'll have to worry about getting yourself dressed and ensuring your little ones are ready on time for school. Give everything in the closet (yours and theirs) a place with storage bins and label holders to ensure a seamless morning routine.

The new school year means a fresh set of colored pencils, crayons, markers, glue sticks and more. Keep everything organized in a rotating caddy, dedicating one compartment to every category.

6

Pick up a lunch box with compartments.

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Pick up a lunch box with compartments.
6

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

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7

Sort supplies into trays.

organized and sorted adhesive tape and bookmark in white trays
MirageC//Getty Images

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.

8

Plan dinners in advance.

meal prep, glass food storage containers, make ahead, build your own bowl, grains, bulgur, farro, quinoa, baby kale, bowl bases
mike garten

Between driving to after-school activities and helping with homework, you've got limited time to cook dinner during the school year. Try to plan, shop and prep for your meals over the weekend, so you can stress less Monday through Friday. Consider Rubbermaid's Brilliance Food Storage Containers, a second-time Good Housekeeping Kitchen Gear Award winner.

RELATED: A Beginner's Guide on How to Meal Prep for the Week

9

Always use sticky notes.

Always use sticky notes.
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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.

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10

Hang a chore chart.

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Hang a chore chart.
10

Hang a chore chart.

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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.

11

Corral essentials in a bedside shelf.

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Corral essentials in a bedside shelf.
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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.

12

Posh Fiona Ruffled Mini Backpack

Posh Fiona Ruffled Mini Backpack
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Posh Fiona Ruffled Mini Backpack

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

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13

Keep wires organized on the go.

Keep wires organized on the go.
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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!

14

Set a morning routine.

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Set a morning routine.
14

Set a morning routine.

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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.

15

Bring in a rolling storage cart to organize supplies.

Amazon’s Choice
Bring in a rolling storage cart to organize supplies.
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Bring in a rolling storage cart to organize supplies.

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.

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16

Encourage students to clean their locker.

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Encourage students to clean their locker.
16

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.

17

Post the schedule where everyone can see it.

Post the schedule where everyone can see it.
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Post the schedule where everyone can see it.

Now 17% Off

Digital calendars are great for keeping track of all the details: addresses, notes, directions for getting places. But it's also helpful to have 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.

18

Stock up on after-school snacks.

organized pantry
Alison Gootee

If your kids come home ready to raid the refrigerator and pantry, dedicate specific zones for after-school snacks. This way, they won't make a mess digging through your organized pantry and you can have a say in what snacks they're eating.

RELATED: Best Pantry Organization Ideas to Keep Drawers, Cabinets and Shelves Clutter-Free

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19

Create more desk storage.

Amazon’s Choice
Create more desk storage.
19

Create more desk storage.

Now 27% Off

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.

20

Decorate with sticky note wall decals.

Decorate with sticky note wall decals.
20

Decorate with sticky note wall decals.

Not only are these dry eraser sticky notes the perfect way to keep track of your to-do list, they double as chic home office decor. If you don't keep them for yourself, your teen or college student will love them!

RELATED: Home Office Ideas to Bring Style and Function to Any Layout

Headshot of Marisa LaScala
Marisa LaScala
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.

Headshot of Alyssa Gautieri
Alyssa Gautieri
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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