The Trick to Back to School Organizing? Label EVERYTHING. (2024)

All good things — aka your summer filled with pool days, outdoor picnics and playdates — must come to end. For parents craving a routine at home, the start of the school year might feel like a relief. But, it also means the return of school pick-up, homework help and the need for new school supplies. Not to mention, back-to-school shopping for first-day-of-school outfits, the right backpack and a fresh lunch box.

As you brainstorm your September to-do list, consider these easy back-to-school organization hacks to start the year off right. Try tackling clutter in closets and pantries, then stock up on the best organization systems (think custom labels, rotating caddies for art supplies and a weekly planner). If your family is always on the go, we've included ideas for organizing the car, packing healthy snacks and establishing a successful morning routine.

Find advice for elementary school children, middle schoolers, high school teens and even college students preparing for dorm life. Plus, plenty of organization tips for moms and dads — think an organized entry, help with meal prep and a command center to keep the whole household on track.

Start the year off with fresh supplies, from colored pencils, crayons and markers to glue stick, scissors and hand sanitizers. Keep everything organized in a rotating caddy, dedicating one compartment to every category.

Get you and your teen matching planners, which is an easy way to teach them time management skills. Before starting homework, they can check their planner, assess their work and unpack accordingly. As each to-do is done, it goes back into the bag — so nothing gets left at home.

Let kids pose with a chalkboard sign, filled with small details about school — from their teacher to their current career aspirations. They might groan and grumble now, but you know that these are the moments you won't want to miss.

To keep them motivated, ensure your tweens and teens have a clean space to do their schoolwork. Take note from designer Emily Henderson and fill the surrounding space with greenery for an extra mood booster.

Between the bus ride, the long days at school and extracurricular activities, it's easy for things to get misplaced. Pick up these personalized tags with your child's name to help them keep track of their supplies.

Between running errands and driving them to after-school activities, you've probably got in the habit of carrying granola bars, potato chips and fruit snacks on the go. These water-repelling snack bags are perfect for bringing their fave treats when you're traveling.

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.

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.

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.

Breezing through the drop-off line is easy when kids can grab their toys, water cup or (let's face it) on-the-go breakfast from a stash in the car. It beats trying to hand them something from your purse while driving.

Even little kids can start to develop morning routines, thanks to the Echo Dot Kid's Edition. It can tell them the weather and set alarms for waking up, brushing teeth and getting dressed. Plus, you can call them to dinner with the Echo in your kitchen!

Rolling hampers make it easy for kids to sort their clothes by darks, lights and colors. To teach them even more responsibility, invite them to help out with folding and placing the items back where they belong.