Sunday, July 26, 2015

The Organized Back-to-School Trick That You Must Do Before School Starts

For parents everywhere, back-to-school season adds tons of items to your to-do list. Adding anything else might seem crazy, but I've found one back-to-school task that saves me so much time during the rest of the year that I've continued to use this same trick for two years.

organize, organizing, launch pad, launch and land zone, back to school
I make a launch and land zone for the kids!

Basically, I use two shelves in the closet to create a space for:

1. Anything that leaves the house with them in the morning, like school bags and lunch boxes (seen on right in above picture).

2. Anything that comes home with them, like schedules and art projects (seen on left in picture).

For the paper baskets, I bought some cheap plastic dish pans in the kitchen section.

Each kid gets his own shelf, labeled so there is no mix-up.

Click here to see my original, step-by-step post about how to set up a launch-and-land zone in your own home.

TIP: If you don't have a hall closet, pick a shelf space in the kids' closets or clear out a cabinet near the back door.

23 comments:

  1. Jaime BarfieldJuly 26, 2015 at 6:18 AM

    My kids basically take everything to their rooms now that they are older, but when they were smaller I did something similar to this. With papers they bring from school now, I have them lay them on my desk on top of my laptop. They were trying to hand me piles of papers while I would be in the middle of something else. can you guess what happened? Yep, stuff got misplaced. So, now I have a designated space for whatever papers they need me to look at or sign.

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  2. Carla July 26, 2015 at 9:28 AM

    While doing some after school care for a neighbor, a repurposed baby changing table with colored tubs did trick.

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  3. Giftie EtceteraJuly 26, 2015 at 10:18 AM

    Oh, great idea, Carla. We are using one in a closet as shelves right now, but that might be a better use!

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  4. UnknownJuly 26, 2015 at 12:38 PM

    Stopping in from Nifty Thrifty Sundays - I love this idea! I only have a toddler starting pre-school, but I think even my husband and I would benefit from a launching shelf too for my purse, his laptop/work bag. Thanks for the suggestion, now to figure out a place for it!

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  5. Tanya PatriceJuly 26, 2015 at 2:01 PM

    I love this idea - and I really, really, reeeellllyyy hate "back to school." I hate he lists, and I hate that it's a "thing." Sigh. But I'm going to interpret your idea to apply to back to school supplies, which I don't tend to buy all at once.

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  6. pattygardner.comJuly 26, 2015 at 4:44 PM

    My kids are grown and gone but this is a good idea for my grandkids. They're here a lot and I have a hard time keeping track of their stuff. It would nice to have a spot to put it. I'll have to think about a way to make this idea work. It would make it a lot easier when it's time to head home.

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  7. UnknownJuly 27, 2015 at 7:45 AM

    That's a good idea to keep organised.

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  8. The Kitchen WifeJuly 27, 2015 at 8:46 AM

    Love this idea! It really is the smallest things that make the biggest difference!

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  9. Elizabeth CaldwellJuly 27, 2015 at 2:49 PM

    Great idea! With my girls starting preschool in about a month, I need to get organized... #bloggersbrags

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  10. StephanieJuly 27, 2015 at 7:29 PM

    That's a great idea! I love having landing zones. We just created an 'entryway' in our home!

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  11. Mary WimbleyJuly 27, 2015 at 10:23 PM

    I have a hook on my front door for my son's book bag and another next to the door for his coat. Now I just need a place for him to put things he brings home. I also want to create a homework station or caddy for him. He will be in fifth grade this year, so he's going to need a dedicated workspace now more than ever. I can't wait to set it up! :)

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  12. Melissa French - The More With Less MomJuly 28, 2015 at 11:36 AM

    We call this our launching pad. One of the most important things is to set this up so the kids can do it themselves. They can reach the hooks, etc. Thanks for posting. Hello from Busy Monday.

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  13. DebbieJuly 30, 2015 at 1:08 PM

    I think I used to organize my stuff for school one month beforehand. I loved being with my classmates again since I spent my vacations alone at home (no brothers or sisters to play with).
    Awesome tips for this time of the year. Thanks for sharing them on #TipTuesday.

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  14. Jennifer@MyFlagstaffHomeJuly 30, 2015 at 9:54 PM

    Cool idea! Thanks for linking up at the Weekend Blog Hop at My Flagstaff Home!

    Jennifer

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  15. Organized IslandJuly 30, 2015 at 10:25 PM

    I so agree that kids need a spot to corral their school stuff so it isn't all over the place. I love things to be organized, although it can be tough at times. Stopping by from the Mom Blog hop - nice to meet you!

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  16. UnknownJuly 31, 2015 at 9:13 AM

    Wonderful idea! I need to do that for my husband too ;)

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  17. HannahAugust 1, 2015 at 6:17 AM

    That is such a good idea. My son isn't at school yet but as a nanny, the children I cared for used to have their things by the door on a morning but no where really for them to live after school and the papers were shoved anywhere and often lost! Thanks for linking up to #featurefridays

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  18. UnknownAugust 1, 2015 at 12:12 PM

    Popping back, thanks for linking #LetKidsBeKids

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  19. SuAugust 2, 2015 at 4:51 PM

    Great tips! I think I shall be doing this with my boy who is starting Reception this September. Arrr! Nervous! #letkidsbekids

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  20. christine @becomingchristinesmith.comAugust 2, 2015 at 6:08 PM

    great idea, they talk about collecting stuff from incoming bins like this in a class I am taking (Mind Organization for Moms). I have a little more info on my blog. thanks

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  21. Flourish & KnotAugust 2, 2015 at 7:10 PM

    I wish my students' parents would do this so that they'd stop forgetting their instruments on music days. Thanks for linking up to the Blogger Brags link party. I have pinned your post to the Blogger Brags pinterest board.

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  22. UnknownAugust 5, 2015 at 7:45 AM

    This is SUCH a great idea! My kids are still young and will be homeschooled, but I honestly can see doing this even just for leaving the house with the kids for anything. I find that when I take them to story time, play dates, the store, church - it is always such an ordeal getting out of the house. Having a launch area is brilliant. Thank you for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty with us!

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  23. UnknownAugust 5, 2015 at 5:24 PM

    My kids are all older now and keep their school belongings in their bedrooms, but when they were little we had special spots for things and it really did help keep them (and me) organized. Plus, everything looks better when it's in a basket! :) Thanks for sharing! #SimplySundays

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