How To Declutter: Kids Papers

So.
Many.
Papers.
Seriously? That’s why the rainforest is dying. Elementary school. Thank you elementary school teachers for loving my kids like your own, and teaching them… and… well. Nevermind. The teachers are great, but the paper can be OVERHWHELMING! I thought it was bad with one kid, but now, times 3 it’s astronomical. Perhaps it is why the Duggars Homeschool.

Anywho…. How To Declutter: Kids Papers will help you learn how to keep and toss papers and the method I use to save them.  Let’s get started.

First off, I get these awesome bins at Costco.  Now, I’d LOVE to use a file folder box, but our teachers often use those really long pieces of paper to do REALLY cute books when they’re 5 years old and I just can’t bear the thought of losing those, so I went with this plan and piling things, rather than filing.  I’m a huge filer, but this system works, so stay with me!

Often, Kindergarten is where they make those long bound books.  Check out Mr Middle’s from Kindergarten. {happy sigh}

Then, other 8.5X11 papers can fit on top of it

The genius of this system are the large binder clips.  I can only keep as many papers fit in that clip.  I don’t clip in those big books like I showed above,but everything else needs to go in there.

That way, when the kids want to see them (and I allow them to at the end of school each year), I say they can take out one binder clip, look at the papers and then put it back in (with all the papers in the binder clip.  So far, it has worked and it’s fairly useable.  I also put the report card on the top of the stack so I know their grade and teacher (I also sometimes stuff some loose papers inside the envelope too for safety.

Mr Middle has some small stuff on top of his this year, but I should put it below the report card folder.

The bins stay up in the closet all year.  When I get papers I want to save I just throw them up there, and then at the end of the year I go through it all.  I usually throw away about 1/2 of what I had saved during the year.  Keep in mind, I only get to save about 1 inch of papers, so I need to be thoughtful.  Having the constraint of the clip really helps.  AND it keeps it super organized.  Also, I often take a picture of them holding my favorite artwork and include it in our family video so it always “lives on”. 🙂

So, that’s how to organize clutter — Kids papers.  I hope it was helpful.  If you’re interested in more MomHacker tips check out my Pinterest board or these posts:

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