We keep a treasure trove of school supplies on hand at home. The kids use them for homework, school projects and even just for fun. All of those pencils, markers, and glue sticks were getting lost and scattered throughout the house. I had to find an easy way for us to organize our supplies. My solution? Acrylic jars.
I bought a set of acrylic jars that is perfect for organizing school supplies. Now we know exactly what we have and where to find it. Do you need to organize your school supplies at home or in the classroom? Here’s 5 helpful organization tips for school supplies.
1. Group like items together. For example, we put Sharpies markers in one jar, and Expo markers in a different jar. Glue sticks are grouped together in their own container.
2. Use see-through containers. It’s easy to see what’s inside with just a glance. Plus, I can tell when we are running low on supplies.
3. Use containers with lids. Lidded containers help keep things from spilling if they get knocked over. Less mess to clean up.
4. Label the outside of the container. Labels can be both decorative and functional. I used colorful alphabet stickers to label our storage canisters. Stickers are a fast and easy way to label. Bonus points for being removable if I should ever need to change the label.
5. Designate a spot for your containers. Find a permanent location for the containers so they don’t “walk away” and get lost. And you’ll know right where to tell the kids to look when they need something.
I like to buy extra school supplies when they are on Back-to-school sales so we have enough to last the entire year. I mean, it is crazy that glue sticks and notebooks cost 25 cents when you shop in August, but by late September they will be back up to $1 apiece or more.
Teacher Gift Ideas.
My sister is an elementary school teacher, and she told me she is always looking for creative ways to store school supplies in her classroom. She thinks the clear storage containers are a wonderful way to organize school supplies at home and at school. An easy teacher-approved gift idea would be an acrylic jar full of school supplies like pencils, pens, markers or glue sticks!
A special thanks to my sister for pointing out that acrylic jars are a better choice than glass jars because of the risk of breakage. No one wants shattered glass in the classroom or at home.
How do you organize your school supplies at home? What supplies does your child’s teacher need the most? Have you found any great Back-To-School deals on school supplies?
Rachel@yourtablecloth.com says
Your container idea is great. We’re going to try this at home.
Maryann D. says
I love the idea of using Acrylic jars and they can be labeled with the permanent markers. I have a lot of school supplies for my children and often we lose them somewhere in the house. Organization is a necessity.
Jeffrey says
Great idea! We are always finding pencils, crayons, markers in different locations, sometimes there are none where they are supposed to be! See through containers would be great for many reasons and if they are decorated nice enough storing them out in the open would be that much more convenient. My wife stores the extra supplies on a hanging shoe rack on the back of the closet door in the office.
Dandi D says
These are some really great tips, and I just love Sharpies!
Julie Wood says
I like the clear plastic jars for putting in different school supplies. It makes it easy knowing what is in each with the names on it. I really like this idea, and want to make these.
tanya holland says
I love the jars. This is a great idea. Now I’m going out to look for some.
Crissie Woolard says
THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT IDEAS. I AM GOING TO USE SOME OF THEM
bn100 says
Some helpful tips for school
Wendi S says
I absolutely love this idea. I love seeing through the containers.
Dorothy Boucher says
I use a few jars for items in my home now, like my pens and pencils, food items, children craft supplies, I love using them it makes for easy storage and clean up.
Sarah Matos says
Love this idea. I am always looking for new organization tips.
Rita Spratlen says
Great ideas!! I am always saving pens and then I go to use them and they don’t work!! I like the see through containers.
Katherine Riley says
Great idea for storing school supplies, I store my knitting needles in old jars in my craft room.
Trish says
These are great tips
Donna @ Modern on Monticello says
Love these jars. I hope your kids have a great start to the new school year.
Nicole says
Thanks, Donna! They are heading back next week – summer went by way too fast. 🙂
Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai says
Jars are a great idea for organization. Having an organized homework/school supply area is essential. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Emily @DomesticDeadline.com says
Great idea. I stocked up on clear pencil boxes a few years ago and keep things labeled in those, but this is much prettier. #HomeMattersParty