Works for Me Wednesday: Reinforcing File Folders

We love using our version of workboxes -- workcrates, but the file folders in my kids' boxes lead a hard life.  I've tried explaining to the kids that if I have to replace the folders -- again -- I'll be replacing them with ugly, utilitarian green folders, rather then the more expensive bright primary-colored folders. 

Either they don't believe me or they don't care...or it's just really hard on a pretty, bright-colored folder to handle the daily onslaught of kids and workbooks because the second set of folders are looking pretty tattered.  I hit on a solution, though, that seems to be working.

It occurred to me that the ugly green folders may be reinforced -- or else I'm not as rough on my hanging file folders as the kids are on theirs.  So, I thought that maybe simply reinforcing the pretty ones might just be the answer.  Enter:  the packing tape.

This solution has worked wonders!  (So far.)  By straightening out bend metal hangers (on the folders) and folding packing tape over the top of the folders (and tears), I have, at least, extended the life of the file folders.  The ones I've repaired so far seem to be hanging in there (pun intended only if you noticed it).  So, if you're using workcrates, rather than workboxes, you may want to try this tip to make your file folders last longer.

Visit Kristin at We Are THAT Family for more Works for Me Wednesday tips.