“GO” Organization Tips: What To Do with Children’s Artwork?

In celebration of National “Get Organized” Month (GO Month), Organizers Northwest invited fans, clients and followers to send us their home or office organizational questions and challenges. Due to the number of excellent thought-provoking questions sent in, we have decided to extend the blog series into February. Check out Professional Organizer Veronica Bishop’s helpful responses and tips. Happy Organizing!

Q: How should I organize my kid’s artwork? There is such a huge volume of it coming, it’s really overwhelming.

A: We hear this question all of the time. It’s hard to throw away kids artwork because, well, it’s your kid’s. That said, just because your child is an artistic genius doesn’t obligate you to keep every scrap of proof! We recommend developing the habit of going through your child’s backpack every day, pulling out artwork and putting it through the following filter:

• Display current artwork on the fridge or on the wall using several changeable frames with the glass removed. Everything else can go into an artwork container or file which is easily accessible in a common area. We recommend something large, with a lid to accommodate all sizes of artwork.
• When the container gets too full, (at least once a month!) have your child go through and choose the art that is really special. These will then go into a large, flat portfolio or under-bed storage box, tossing the rest. Alternatively, you can go through the file yourself after the kids are in bed and sleeping soundly. Don’t worry, we won’t tell.
• When the school year is up, do another review and recycle any other pieces that you or your child can let go of. You can always take photos of them and then toss the original. Put them together into the portfolio, label with the age and grade of your child, and store in a flat, secure place.

organizing solution to the artwork conundrum is to make your own portfolios. Check out Erin Heaton’s blog post on how to make your own in about 2 minutes. We love her idea of using foam core, which is cheap and easy to find. Go over the top with some funky neon or patterned duct tape, found easily at any craft store.

Involve your kids in this process too! They will enjoy being included and weighing in on what is meaningful to them. Happy Organizing!


Thanks to everyone who took the time to send in their organizing questions for this special Get Organized Month blog. We hope this series has helped you to get 2014 started off on the right foot.