DealDash Kids: Declutter Kids’ School Stuff With No Drama
School hasn’t quite ended yet here in Massachusetts, but my kids are ready. The big job of decluttering school stuff is on the horizon. Let’s get ready!
June is here, and along with the promise of summer fun comes the big ol’ backpack dump. You know the one. Crumpled worksheets, end-of-year art projects, dried-out markers, snack wrappers, and mysterious science experiments. If you’re staring at a mountain of school papers and wondering how on earth to sort it all, don’t worry. You’re not alone, and it can actually be a fun and meaningful process with the kids. Read this post from DealDash to get some decluttering tips and tricks for the end of the school year.
Start to Declutter With a Keep-Toss-Pile Sort
First things first, spread everything out on the floor or a big table. It’s tempting to just start tossing, but including your child in the process helps them feel part of the decision. Go through the pile together and sort into three simple categories: things to keep, things to toss, and things to recycle or donate.
Explain that we’re not keeping everything, but we are keeping the best things. That one math test with the proud 100 percent, the drawing of your cat that actually looks like a cat, or the writing project they worked on for a whole week. If you give them a say and a little encouragement, they’re usually surprisingly good at deciding what really matters. Additionally, if there are any items that they really want to keep but it isn’t practical, offer to take a picture of them holding it!
Don’t Forget the Backpack and Supplies
Before you shove that backpack into a closet for the summer, give it a good shakeout and wipe down. Most can be machine washed or cleaned with a gentle soap. Personally, I only buy backpacks that can be machine washed. Check any leftover supplies and sort them into “reuse” or “replace.” Half-used notebooks can become summer journals. Pencils, crayons, and glue sticks might still be good for craft time. Anything that’s still in great shape but won’t be needed can be saved for next year or donated to a local school supply drive. You’ll feel way more prepared when back-to-school season sneaks up again in August.
Create a School Memory Box
Once you’ve chosen the special pieces, it’s time to give them a home. A plastic storage bin or even a decorated file box works great after you declutter. Label it with your child’s name and the school year. Inside, you can tuck their report card, a few standout papers or drawings, their class photo, and maybe even a note from their teacher.
If space is tight, try using a binder with sheet protectors or a portfolio-style folder. Not only does this keep things organized, but it also gives your child something fun to look back on later. And if you’re feeling extra ambitious, let your child help decorate their box or binder cover. It turns into a little end-of-year ritual they’ll look forward to. I actually have a small bookcase in our home office that has binders full of each of my kid’s school work year-by-year. It’s lots of fun to go through them with the kids each year the day before school starts.
DealDash Has Shelves and Storage Bins
No matter how you decide to store your children’s precious school treasures after you declutter, DealDash can help! You will find all sorts of storage solutions such as bins and bookshelves. Not only that, when you bid (or BIN) on DealDash, you know that you are getting high-quality pieces that will last you for years to come. So remember, whenever you are in need of something for your home, either useful or decorative, be sure to check DealDash first!
Thanks for Reading
Decluttering school stuff doesn’t have to be a drag. With a little patience and the right mindset, it can actually be a sweet way to close out the school year and kick off summer. Your kids will feel proud seeing their hard work organized and displayed, and you’ll breathe a little easier with one less pile in your house. So let’s declutter that school stuff! Thanks so much for reading, and happy bidding everyone!
This sponsored DealDash blog article was written by Dawn E, a mother of 3 who loves DealDash. Dawn was compensated for writing this article. Check out Dawn and her cats on Instagram! This blog is written by real DealDash customers. The opinions and advice shared here represent our customers’ views and not those of the company.
