Declutter Your Home: 10 Tips to Organize Kids' Art Supplies

As a parent, the sight of crayons, glue sticks, and glitter scattered across the floor can often feel overwhelming. Kids’ art supplies, while essential for creativity and fun, can quickly transform your home into a chaotic mess. But here’s the good news: decluttering and organizing these supplies not only reduces stress for you but also teaches your children valuable organizational skills.

Implementing simple, effective tips to organize your kids' art supplies can make a world of difference. Imagine a home where everything has its place, where you can find that missing pair of scissors in seconds, and where your kids know exactly where to put their supplies away. It’s not just about tidiness—it’s about creating a space that fosters creativity, responsibility, and peace of mind.

In this post, we’ll explore ten fantastic tips to help you declutter your home and organize your kids' art supplies. These ideas are designed to streamline your space, making cleaning up after art projects a breeze and teaching your little ones the joy of staying organized. Let’s dive in and transform the clutter into a haven of creativity and order!

Tip 1: Clear Plastic Bins

Clear plastic bins are a simple and effective way to organize kids' art supplies. These bins allow you to see exactly what's inside, making it easy to find what you need without rummaging through piles of materials.

Implementation: Start by categorizing your supplies into groups such as markers, paint, glue, and paper. Label each bin with its contents for quick identification. Place these bins on a shelf or in a designated storage area within reach of your children so they can easily access and put away their supplies.

Benefits: The visibility of the clear bins reduces search time and stress, making clean-up quicker and more efficient. This method also helps children learn to categorize and store their supplies properly, fostering independence and responsibility.

Tip 2: Rolling Cart

A rolling cart with multiple tiers provides a versatile storage solution for art supplies. Its mobility allows you to move the cart wherever your kids are working, keeping everything within reach and easy to transport.

Implementation: Assign each tier of the cart to a different category of supplies, such as drawing materials on the top tier, painting supplies in the middle, and gluing tools on the bottom. This organization keeps items sorted and accessible. When not in use, the cart can be rolled into a closet or corner to save space.

Benefits: A rolling cart keeps supplies organized and mobile, which is perfect for moving between different areas of the house. It also promotes a tidy workspace, as everything can be stored back in the cart once the art project is complete.

Tip 3: Pegboard

Utilizing wall space with a pegboard is an efficient way to keep tools and supplies organized and within easy reach. Pegboards can be customized with various hooks, baskets, and shelves to suit your storage needs.

Implementation: Install a pegboard on a wall at a height accessible to your children. Use hooks to hang scissors, rulers, and paintbrushes. Add small baskets or shelves to hold items like glue sticks, erasers, and small bottles of paint. Arrange the items in a way that makes sense for your child's workflow and creative process.

Benefits: A pegboard keeps tools organized, visible, and easy to access. This setup not only frees up drawer and shelf space but also helps children develop good organizational habits by having a designated spot for each item.

Tip 4: Mason Jars

Mason jars are perfect for storing small art supplies like beads, buttons, and googly eyes. They offer clear visibility of contents and can be easily labeled for better organization.

Implementation: Collect a variety of mason jars and categorize your small supplies into them. Place the jars on a shelf or in a drawer where they can be easily accessed. You can also mount a shelf specifically for these jars, keeping them within reach for your kids.

Benefits: Mason jars keep small items contained and organized, reducing the chance of losing them. The clear glass allows kids to see what’s inside, making it easier for them to find what they need and put items back in the right place. This method teaches children to keep their small supplies neat and organized.

Tip 5: Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer

Repurpose an over-the-door shoe organizer to hold various art supplies. The multiple pockets are perfect for storing a wide range of items, making everything easily accessible and neatly arranged.

Implementation: Hang the shoe organizer over the door of the craft room or a closet. Assign each pocket to different supplies such as markers, scissors, glue sticks, and paintbrushes. Label each pocket to make it clear where each item belongs. Ensure the organizer is at a height accessible to your children.

Benefits: This method saves floor and shelf space while keeping supplies visible and easy to reach. It’s a great way to store items off the desk or floor, making the room less cluttered. Kids can easily see and access their supplies, promoting independence and responsibility in keeping their materials organized.

Tip 6: Drawer Dividers

Drawer dividers are excellent for keeping drawers neat and organized. They prevent items from mixing together and make it easy to find what you need.

Implementation: Start by emptying the drawers you plan to organize. Sort the supplies into categories and use dividers to create sections within the drawer. You can buy adjustable dividers or make your own using cardboard or small boxes. Assign each section to a specific type of supply, such as crayons, colored pencils, and stickers.

Benefits: Drawer dividers keep supplies separated and organized, making it easier for kids to find what they need without creating a mess. This system encourages children to return items to their proper place, maintaining order and reducing clutter in the long run.

Tip 7: Caddies

Portable caddies are a fantastic way to keep art supplies organized by activity. They are easy to transport and can be customized for different types of crafts.

Implementation: Assign each caddy to a specific type of craft, such as painting, drawing, or general crafting. Fill the caddy with all the necessary supplies for that activity. For example, a painting caddy might include brushes, paint, and a palette, while a drawing caddy could contain pencils, erasers, and sketchpads. Store the caddies in a central location where they are easy to grab and use.

Benefits: Caddies keep supplies organized and portable, making it easy to move craft activities to different areas of the house. This method helps children quickly set up and clean up their projects, fostering a sense of independence and responsibility.

Tip 8: Magnetic Strip

A magnetic strip is an innovative way to store metal tools like scissors, rulers, and paper clips. It keeps these items visible and easily accessible.

Implementation: Install a magnetic strip on a wall at a child-friendly height. Attach metal tools to the strip, ensuring they are secure and within easy reach. You can also use magnetic containers on the strip to hold smaller items like paper clips and thumbtacks.

Benefits: A magnetic strip keeps frequently used tools organized and off the workspace, freeing up room for crafting. It also helps children develop the habit of returning tools to their designated spots, promoting tidiness and efficiency.

Tip 9: Color-Coded Baskets

Description: Color-coded baskets are a fun and effective way to categorize and store art supplies. Each color can represent a different type of supply, making organization easy and visually appealing.

Implementation: Assign a specific color to each category of supplies, such as blue for drawing materials, red for painting supplies, and green for crafting tools. Label the baskets with the type of supply they hold. Store the baskets on shelves or in a designated area where kids can easily access them.

Benefits: Color-coded baskets make it simple for children to identify and find their supplies. This method adds a playful element to organization, encouraging kids to keep their materials sorted and put away. It also makes cleanup more fun and engaging for young children.

Tip 10: File Folders

File folders are perfect for storing flat supplies such as paper, stickers, and coloring books. They keep everything neat, organized, and easily accessible.

Implementation: Purchase a filing cabinet or a portable file box and a set of file folders. Label each folder with the type of supply it will hold, such as construction paper, scrapbook paper, coloring books, and sticker sheets. Arrange the folders in alphabetical order or by frequency of use. Store the file box or cabinet in a convenient location where your kids can easily access it.

Benefits: File folders keep flat supplies organized and prevent them from getting bent or damaged. This system makes it easy for kids to find the specific type of paper or stickers they need for their projects. It also helps children learn to file items away properly, promoting good organizational habits and maintaining a tidy space.

Conclusion

Decluttering your home and organizing kids' art supplies can transform chaos into order, creating a more harmonious and stress-free environment for everyone. These ten tips provide practical, creative solutions to keep art supplies tidy and accessible, teaching your children valuable organizational skills along the way.

From clear plastic bins and rolling carts to pegboards and mason jars, each method is designed to make clean-up easier and crafting more enjoyable. Implementing these ideas not only reduces the time spent searching for supplies but also encourages kids to take responsibility for their belongings.

With a well-organized art space, your home will feel more peaceful, and your children will have the perfect setup to let their creativity flourish. So, grab those bins, jars, and caddies, and start organizing today. You'll soon enjoy the benefits of a clutter-free, inspiring space that nurtures both creativity and order.