How to Organise and Store Your Kids' Artwork (Without the Clutter)

As parents, we love every single piece of art our children create. But after a while, these masterpieces start to pile up, leading to cluttered drawers, overflowing fridges, and boxes you don’t know what to do with. The good news? There’s a way to keep those memories without losing control of your home. Let’s explore some easy, practical tips for organising your child’s artwork—without the guilt of throwing anything away!

1. Organise kids' artwork

Step one: gather all the artwork from around your home. Look in the usual spots—fridge doors, bookshelves, and that mystery pile near the TV. Once you have everything, it’s time to do a quick assessment. Some pieces may be too worn or damaged to keep, and that’s okay! Narrow it down to the ones that still hold sentimental value and sort them into chronological order. If you have more than one child, separate their pieces into piles to avoid confusion later on.

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2. Store Artworks Safely

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Now that you’ve sorted the clutter, it’s time to safely store your child’s masterpieces. The key is to protect the artworks from dust, damage, and pests, but also to make sure it’s easy to find when you want to show them off or revisit the memories.

Involve your child in this process—let them pick their “hero” pieces to keep on display for a while. These are the top artworks they’re proud of, which will make the decision process easier for both of you. For the rest, find a sturdy box or container with a secure lid that will protect the artworks from the elements. Label each box with the child’s name and the dates of the artworks inside. This makes finding specific pieces later much easier!

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3. Decide What Happens Next

Once the artworks are safely tucked away, it’s time to think about the long-term plan. Are you going to keep them stored in boxes forever, or do you want to find a more permanent solution?

Here are a few ideas:

• Keep them stored: If you have the space and don’t mind holding onto physical artworks, storing them away for the long haul could be an option. Just remember, over time, even well-stored items can degrade, so regular checks are a good idea.

• Digitise the artworks: You can use your smartphone to photograph the pieces and store the digital versions instead of keeping the originals. If you don’t want the clutter of physical copies, this is an easy DIY solution. It can be time-consuming if you let it pile up, though!

• Create a Memento Book: Instead of letting those special pieces collect dust, you could send your artworks to Memento Books, where we professionally digitise and preserve them in a beautiful softcover book. This way, you can treasure your child’s creative journey without the clutter—and with a lasting keepsake! You can check out Memento Books here: https://www.mementobooks.co.za/

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4. Create a System for New Artworks

Once you’ve organised the old artwork, the key to keeping the clutter at bay is having a solid system in place for new pieces. Decide on a routine that works for your family. For example, when your child brings home a new drawing, display it on the fridge or in a dedicated frame for a week. After that, you can move it into temporary storage until you’re ready to make a new Memento Book or decide how you want to handle it long-term.

This step is crucial to preventing the clutter from piling up again! Whether you choose to keep displaying, digitise, or create new Memento Books, closing the loop on the incoming artwork will make sure you stay organised without feeling guilty.

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By following these simple steps, you’ll not only keep your home tidy, but you’ll also have a solid plan for preserving your child’s creative milestones in a meaningful way. Whether you choose to store, digitise, or create a Memento Book, the key is making sure those memories are never lost—without the mess!