Want to know the absolute best organizing kids art supplies? The following hacks will keep your kids art supplies organized and tidy!
This post is all about the best organizing kids art supplies tips that everyone should know about.
Before organizing my kids’ art supplies, our home was constantly covered in markers, crayons, and scraps of paper. Every time they wanted to do a project, they’d dump everything out, making an even bigger mess. Cleanup was a battle, and I dreaded the aftermath of creative time.
After setting up labeled bins, a rolling cart, and designated storage for each type of supply, things finally feel manageable. Now, my kids know where everything goes, cleanup is easier, and art time is more fun for everyone!
Best Organizing Kids Art Supplies Tips
1. Use Clear Bins So They Can See It All
If your kids are like mine, they forget what they can’t see. I swapped out opaque storage boxes for clear plastic bins, and suddenly they started using more than just crayons. When they can see their markers, stickers, and paintbrushes, they actually get inspired—without dumping out everything.
2. Label Everything—With Words and Pictures
Even if your little ones can’t read yet, they can match pictures. I label each bin or drawer with both a word and a little visual icon—scissors, glue, pom-poms, etc. It gives them the independence to clean up on their own, which is magical when you’re juggling dinner and homework help.
3. Set Up a Rolling Cart for Mobile Creativity
Our art sessions don’t always happen in the same room. That’s why I love our three-tier rolling cart. It’s like a traveling art studio. We wheel it from the kitchen to the living room, and sometimes even outside. The top tier holds daily basics like crayons and paper, the middle is for messier things like paints, and the bottom is reserved for special tools like stencils or glitter glue.
4. Keep Messy Supplies Out of Reach
I learned this one the hard way: glitter belongs on the top shelf. Same for acrylic paints, Sharpies, and anything that stains. I created a “grown-up permission” shelf up high, and my kids know that they have to ask before grabbing anything from it. It gives me peace of mind and protects our furniture.
5. Use a Tackle Box or Craft Caddy for Tiny Stuff
All those googly eyes, beads, and foam shapes? They used to end up on the floor or shoved in a random drawer. Now I use a tackle box (yes, like the kind for fishing) with adjustable compartments. Everything is sorted and easy to find, and it’s shockingly satisfying to open up.
6. Hang a Pocket Organizer on the Door
You know those over-the-door shoe organizers with clear pockets? They are perfect for holding markers, colored pencils, glue sticks, and even scissors. Each kid gets their own row, and I can quickly see when we’re running low on something. It’s one of my favorite low-effort storage hacks.
7. Give Each Child Their Own “Art Box”
To avoid fights and chaos, I made each of my kids their own labeled art box. It holds their personal favorites—special markers, stickers, and mini sketchbooks. They love having ownership, and I love not hearing “She took my glitter pen!” every five minutes.
8. Rotate Supplies to Keep Things Fresh
Instead of having everything available all the time, I rotate the art supplies like toys. I keep extras stored in a closet and swap them out every few weeks. It keeps things exciting and prevents decision fatigue (for both them and me). When new-old supplies come back, it’s like Christmas morning.
9. Keep Paper Sorted by Type
I didn’t realize how many types of paper we had until I organized them—construction paper, printer paper, cardstock, scrap paper, and coloring books. Now I store them in vertical magazine holders, each labeled, and I can’t believe how much easier it is to grab what we need without digging.
10. Use Recycled Jars for Tools
We use old mason jars and baby food containers to hold paintbrushes, pencils, and scissors. I even let the kids decorate them with washi tape or stickers. It adds personality and makes clean-up more fun. Plus, they’re sturdy and easy to rinse if things get messy (which they always do).
11. Create a “Drying Station” for Wet Projects
I was constantly clearing counter space to lay out painted projects. Now I have a dedicated spot—a wire shelf with trays underneath. When my kids finish a painting, they know exactly where it goes. No more juggling wet masterpieces or random paper stuck to the kitchen table.
12. Store Finished Art Separately
The moment my kids say, “I’m done!” that paper tends to float around aimlessly. I use a flat portfolio folder and an expanding file for finished artwork. We do a weekly review together—they pick what to keep, what to hang, and what (secretly) gets recycled. It teaches them to value their work and make space for new creations.
13. Keep a Trash and Recycling Bin Close By
This one seems simple, but it’s been a game-changer. I put a small trash bin and a paper recycling bin right next to our art table. It encourages the kids to toss scraps as they go, and I’m not stuck peeling dried glue off the floor later. Sometimes the solution is just reducing the mess as it happens.
14. Make Clean-Up Part of the Project
When we finish art time, we clean together. I give them a few “jobs” like putting markers in their bin, closing glue caps, or stacking paper. I frame it as the “final step of creating”—and sometimes even set a timer to make it a game. The more I treat clean-up as part of the creative process, the less resistance I get.
This post is all about tips for organizing kids art supplies!
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