Works for Me Wednesday: Color-Coordinated Supply Boxes
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Today’s WFMW tip is one that caused me, at first, to worry about how seriously obsessive compulsive I might be. Then, over time, I began to see how really useful it is. I color coordinate my kids school supplies!
No, wait! I’m really not insane! Imagine, three kids at one table, each with their various school supplies. When it comes time to use the scissors you might hear cries of, “Hey! You’re using my scissors!” or “I had those first.”
Yet, when it’s time to clean up, “Those aren’t my scissors!” or “You were using those scissors. You have to put them up.”
That doesn’t happen at my house. One wonderful year, Wal-mart offered supply boxes with three different color choices for lids. They also happened to offer Flexi-rulers in the same colors. This year, they offered the three color choices in scissors. And, Target even upped the ante with matching compasses and protractors (for my oldest).
The result?
I know, and so do the kids, whose scissors are whose. Whose ruler has been left lying in the floor. Whose supply box hasn’t been put away. See? It’s not insanity; it’s genius! Well, at the very least, it works for me.
Kris Bales is a newly-retired homeschool mom and the quirky, Christ-following, painfully honest founder (and former owner) of Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers. She has a pretty serious addiction to sweet tea and Words with Friends. Kris and her husband of over 30 years are parents to three amazing homeschool grads. They share their home with three dogs, two cats, a ball python, a bearded dragon, and seven birds.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. You made my day! My kids are too old for this tip now, but I wish I had thought of it when they were younger. It’s a good idea.
N is blue, C is green, G is pink, H is yellow or orange, M is red. Only it isn’t just school supplies – it’s everything that they may need – towels, backpacks, etc, etc. The kids call them ‘their colors’.
When they come to get you with the white coats, send them by my house too. 😉
I see me using this idea in the future. Right now we just have scissors in their fav colors.
As a fellow homeschooler, I think this is a fabulous idea! 🙂
I will not judge you obsessive or compulsive as I think that this is a FANTASTIC idea and I’m kicking myself for not thinking of it.
Oh good I’m not the only one!
Thank you for sharing this tip. It has made our days run tons smoother. It helps me to not ask, “Whose is this?”all day.
I hope other parents will see the benefit of it 🙂
I am also do this with my 3 boys. They are so close in age and it does help with the “You have my stuff” screams. We do this all around our house for all their stuff. Our kids like being “color coded” and know which color is theirs.
GREAT post!
What a great idea!
Color coordinating is always a good thing! Love it!
You know, I REALLY like this idea. We've been using name stickers, but just one colour per child makes so much sense.
Oh, and I also really like how they've each got their own box for all their gear. So much easier than a communal stash of pencils, erasors, rulers, scissors …. I think I need to think up a shopping list. 🙂
I love this! Might have to try it, now that I have more than one homeschooled kid!
Growing up there were four of us, all born in different months. My mom used our birthstones to color coordinate everything. We each had our own plate and flashlight, among other things.
I just found your blog today and am really enjoying it.
I'm so glad you found my blog! Welcome!
I just found this post and I am totally implementing this! I used to think that color coding was a bit overzealous…then I had my third child. Something about that third kid, you lose all track of things. My oldest is only three but we are doing a bit of homeschooling already…he would love to pick out new supplies in his favorite color!