15 Tips to Sort and Store Kids’ Artwork and School Papers

Sorting through and storing your kids’ artwork and school papers can be a daunting task.  Many of my organizing clients want to do this so that they can preserve these keepsakes for their children.  Here are 15 of my tips on how to deal with the overwhelming amount of papers your children bring home.

15 Tips to Sort & Store Kids’ Artwork & School Papers

1. Gather all artwork and schoolwork in one place to make sorting easier.
2. Sort the papers by child and by the year or grade level in which they were created.
3. Pare down items by only keeping the best from each year, or limiting it to a certain number of papers, such as the amount that will reasonably fit in a file folder.
4. Take digital photos or scan papers to make it easier to part with some of the items.
5. If your child is old enough and interested in helping you, sort through the papers with your child.
6. Write the child’s name, date, and any other important details on the back of the paper, if the artwork or school paper is worth keeping.
7. Routinely sort through paperwork, such as during winter and summer school vacation time, so that the amount of artwork and school papers does not become too overwhelming.
8. Set aside some artwork and paper to give as gifts to grandparents or other relatives.
9. Create a file box for each child, and limit what you keep to what will fit in that box.
10. For homework, report cards and certificates, create a file folder for each year and file those in the file box.
11. Since artwork comes in a variety of sizes, an art portfolio, or a larger box, such as an under bed storage box is more functional.  Create a portfolio or box for each child, and again limit what you keep to an amount that will reasonably fit.
12. Use archival acid-free storage boxes to better preserve the artwork and school papers.
13. Store these items in a climate controlled area to prevent mold and mildew. Do not store in a garage, basement or attic without climate control.
14. Store these keepsake papers and art in areas such as an office or bonus room closet, in the child’s bedroom closet or under a bed.
15. Display outstanding pieces in a frame or in a scrapbook.