Let’s be real here.
Every year it’s the same story. School starts, and boom! Within weeks your kitchen counter becomes a dumping ground.
Spelling tests. Finger paintings. Math worksheets. Random glittery crafts your kid swears are priceless masterpieces.
You want to keep the memories. But you’re also so tired of the chaos.
And if you’re an ADHD mom like me? You know that stress of trying to stay organized when your brain already feels like a browser with 87 tabs open.
This post is for you.
Don’t forget to save this pin for later! Trust me, you’ll want to come back to these ideas when the next school paper avalanche hits.
Whether your child has ADHD or not, these storage ideas will save your sanity. If both of you have ADHD? These will be lifesavers.
They’re simple. They’re visual. And they actually work in real life.
Ready to keep the keepsakes without losing your mind? Let’s dive in.
1. One Keepsake Tote Per Kid (That’s It)
Here’s the truth: you don’t need to keep every single scribble.
Grab a clear plastic tote. The Bankers Box size works great. Label it with your child’s name.
That tote is the limit. If it doesn’t fit? It goes.
Having a container limit makes decisions easier and guilt way smaller. You’re not throwing away memories. You’re curating them like a museum curator (except way more relaxed).
2. Divide It Into Simple Sections
Inside the tote, add labeled file folders for major stages:
- Pre-K / Kindergarten
- Elementary
- Middle School (optional)
- High School
- Extras (sports, art shows, awards)
Fewer sections means less decision fatigue. You’re organizing for future-you who doesn’t want to dig through a chaos pile at 2am.
3. Daily Drop Bins That Catch the Flood
Here’s where the magic happens.
Assign each child a paper bin that lives near the entryway or their room. Make sure it fits standard-size paper and is deep enough to hold a month or two of schoolwork.
When they get home, they drop in their papers. No pressure to sort daily.
You can sift through it every few weeks when you’re feeling up to it. Way less overwhelming than dealing with it piece by piece.
4. Seasonal Purge Sessions (But Make It Chill)
Pick three or four times a year to go through the drop bins.
Make it low-key. Put on some good music. Let your kid help choose what stays.
Bonus tip: Do a big summer sort together. Kids get to reflect on their year, you get your space back, and nobody feels overwhelmed.
5. Visual Labels Equal Instant Clarity
Use a label maker or just grab a Sharpie and some tape. Even better? Use picture labels, especially for younger kids.
Seeing where things go helps ADHD brains (yours included!) actually put things away instead of just staring at the pile.
6. Clear Bins With Lids (But Not Too Many)
For extra supplies, crafts, or backup school gear, clear stackable bins are your friend.
Label them. And here’s the key part: limit them.
Don’t overcomplicate the system. If you have seven bins just for “art supplies,” you’ll lose track. Keep it simple and broad.
7. Color-Code Their Stuff
Color is like an instant brain shortcut.
Give each child their own color. Their folder? Blue. Their bin? Blue label. Their tote? Blue sticker.
It helps both you and them know what belongs to who without having to think about it.
8. A Launch Pad By the Door
Set up a simple area by the front door with:
- Hook for backpack
- Bin or tray for papers
- Space for shoes and lunchbox
This one little system saves SO many meltdowns during the morning rush. Trust me on this one.
9. Go Digital With the Overflow
Sometimes your tote gets full but you still can’t part with that watercolor blob from 2nd grade.
Take a photo. Create a digital folder by year and upload them.
You get the memory. You lose the physical clutter. Total win-win situation.
10. Let Them Own It As They Grow
As kids get older, start handing off some responsibility.
Give them the tote. Show them the file system. Let them decide what’s meaningful to keep.
They’ll feel trusted, and you get one less thing to manage. Plus, you’re teaching them emotional clarity around stuff, which is honestly a huge life skill.
Before You Go…
If you’ve ever felt guilty for not scrapbooking every masterpiece… I see you.
If you’ve felt completely frozen by that mountain of school papers on your counter… been there.
You’re not alone in this. ADHD makes organizing harder, but not impossible.
These ten storage ideas? They’re the exact ones I wish someone had handed me years ago.
They’re simple. They work. And they give you back your precious mental space.
Whether your child has ADHD, whether you do, or neither of you do, this system will help everyone breathe easier.
Here’s what I want you to remember: You don’t have to save everything to hold onto what matters.
You just need a system that works with your brain instead of fighting against it.
You’ve got this. Really, you do.
Pin this post for later because next school year always sneaks up way faster than we expect!