Tidy Up Tuesday
End-of-School-Year Reset:
As the school year winds down, it’s the perfect time to reset and refresh your home’s student zones. Between the bookbags bursting with broken pencils and mystery crumbs, and the homework station that's seen better days, a little end-of-year organizing can help your child finish strong and set the stage for a smooth start next year.
Here’s how to tackle the most-used school spaces and wrap up the year with clarity and calm:
1. Backpack Clean-Out
After months of daily use, most backpacks have become black holes of papers, snack wrappers, and forgotten art projects.
What to do:
Have your child dump everything out on a flat surface.
Create three piles: Keep, Recycle/Trash, and Sentimental Items (think sweet notes or awards).
Wipe down the inside and outside of the backpack with a damp cloth.
If it’s still in good shape, store it for next year; if not, now’s the time to shop end-of-season sales for a replacement.
2. Homework Station Refresh
Whether it’s a full desk or a corner of the kitchen table, your child’s homework zone deserves a little love.
Steps to reset:
Toss dried-out markers, broken crayons, and pencil nubs.
Return borrowed supplies to other rooms.
Wipe down the workspace and reorganize supplies into labeled bins, pouches, or cups.
Consider what worked and what didn’t: was the lighting too dim? Did they need more space? Use these insights to improve for next year.
3. School Paper Pile Purge
Kids come home with so many papers, but not all need to be saved.
Try this method:
Go through folders and binders with your child.
Keep only what’s meaningful or shows growth: a standout essay, a report card, a piece of artwork.
Store keepsakes in a labeled file folder or memory box for each school year.
Recycle the rest without guilt—you’re creating space and preserving only the best!
4. Celebrate Progress
Make organizing feel like a milestone, not a chore.
Ideas:
Let your child pick one favorite piece of schoolwork to display for the summer.
Take a photo of them holding their favorite project or book from the year.
Acknowledge how far they’ve come—progress is always worth celebrating.
5. Prepare for Summer & Beyond
Once you’ve cleared the clutter, think ahead.
Store reusable school supplies in a “Back to School” bin so you’re not repurchasing things in August.
Make a summer supply caddy with essentials for crafts, reading, and summer learning.
Keep a simple folder or tray for any summer reading logs, camp forms, or library slips.
The end of the school year is more than just winding down, it’s a golden opportunity to reset your space and your mindset. With a few simple steps, you can clear out the chaos, celebrate the wins, and start summer break feeling organized and ready for whatever comes next.