Kid Memory Binders: Organized and Easy!
This is a repeat post from last year that got so much attention, I just had to share it again for those who never saw it. And also to inspire those who may have a New Year’s goal of keeping your kid’s stuff organized this year!
For many people, part of their reluctance to invite others into their home is because of their disorganization. And I know first hand with 3 kids how the paperwork piles up! It can really get discouraging.
I’ve shared this easy system with many of my friends. Years ago my friend Anne got me started with this simple organizational system for saving my kids’ memories over the years, by filing them into a binder.
I do not have time to scrapbook so this method gets the job done!
Now my kids spend hours looking through their books! It’s worth the extra effort to be organized! I’d rather my kids’ thumb through their books than watch a mindless T.V. show!
Supplies
2″ white binders from Costco (4 in a pack)
Scrapbook paper (or plain colored paper)
1 box sheet protectors
Starting with Pre-K, I have saved art, special memories, class pictures, sports awards, first book report, every report card, articles their dad has written – you name it, and have filed these papers into these books.
Thank you notes from special people
Our beloved dog went missing
A letter to a teacher
What to wear on a field trip
Moving up to high school
Congrats on driver’s license
10-day backpack trip
Abby’s fist time away to camp
Sports pictures
Accomplishments
Special school speeches
Annual family Christmas letters
Abby’s first post right here on RE
You get the idea …
How to make the book:
• Have a place where you dump the memories (on top of my fridge!)
• When you’re ready to organize, make separate piles (3 kids in my case)
• Start with younger years and move forward (Pre-K is when I started)
• Create a binder for every 2 years (depending on how much you need to file)
• Slip memories into sheet protectors, sometimes folding in ½ or however you can preserve it
• Slip artwork into the front cover, or use a fun piece of scrapbook paper
• Make a side label with child’s name and year(s)
When my kids get old enough, these books will become their memories to keep!
For now, they are mine, and I find myself occasionally thumbing through them too. Of course I get a bit sentimental!
What’s the secret to this easy system? Have your books ready, so when the stuff comes home you can slip it right into the book!
Do you have an organized system for keeping your kids’ memories? Or, if you saw this post last year and implemented it, I’d love to hear how it’s working for you?
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
Pingback: Back to School: Saving Papers – Planned With Purpose:
I have 3 kids that I made a memory binders for each one of them. So I have over 30 memory binders for them. it is so much fun looking at them, but the problem is, they have moved out and didn’t take them. What do I do with them now? HELP
You’ll have to ask your kids what they want to do with them. I made them for my kids (not me), so they’ll have to make that decision. When younger, they would sit for hours and look through them. Super fun (and organzied). Or, you can just keep them!
Pingback: How To Store Kids Art – Kids Activities Blog – Frosty Fox
Pingback: One day I will be this mom. – Just trying to make it.
I did this for my 2 children 30 years ago. On the cover behind the plastic sleeve I placed their small school photos in the following format
K, 1, 2,
3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8,
9, 10, 11,
12, graduation. This was before I knew about real scrapbooking.
Pingback: 7 Tips to Make Moving With Kids Easier - Move.org
I just love this idea! I featured it on my Summer Survival Tips post here: http://www.mommade.org/2015/06/summer-survival-tips.html. Thanks so much for sharing!
Sarah
Pingback: 15 Baby Book Alternatives
Pingback: What to do with all those papers….ideas on storing your child’s school work »
hi!
this is great. i am actually looking to pay someone to help me file, create a scrapbook or something cool with all my daughters reports, pictures, certificates etc. and i have been searching the net to find someone who does that but in vain…any suggestions will be really greatly appreciated! shirir (shiri.hergass@gmail.com).
Pingback: 100 Ways to Organize Kids
Thank you so much! I have been doing this for my kindergartener this year and it is perfect! Its an easy way to store her special papers and something i can do on a weekly basis to keep the papers from piling up like they did last year for her pre-k stuff, which i am still trying to tackle and get into a binder. I think after that im going to start a binder for her 3 yr old sister’s crafts and then make one for the box of my school papers my mom gave me.
Pingback: Pinductivity | ally-cat
I just did this project this weekend. My daughter is entering 7th grade.
I downsized even more and kept only special papers and artwork. These books can fill up pretty quickly.
I got pre-k to grade 1 in one binder and grade 2
To grade 6 in the other binder. So many memories and thoughts come when working on this! I loved every minute.
Now my daughter wants to look through it all the time and I dont have to worry about anything getting out of order!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing, Debbie! My kids would sit and read their books for hours … :)
I think this is awesome, but I am going to include my baby boy’s first year – all the way through 12th grade! What a great way to keep all the “hopsital stuff” when he was born (11 months and 24 days ago, not that I’m counting). And I can get the 4×6 picture sleeves and add pictures in there too (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Avery-Photo-Pages-for-Six-4-x-6-Mixed-Format-Photos-3-Hole-Punched-10-Pack/14983066)! Photo album and memories all in one – I think so! Thanks for the GREAT idea!!!
Pingback: I ricordi scolastici dei bambini: come organizzarli
wow…I can’t believe some people think you should just “throw away” your memories of your children’s childhood! I for one DO NOT have the best memory and realized a few years ago how much my KIDS love looking back on all their accomplishments and growth over the years! Since my daughter passed away this year, I have been especially trying to find ways to display and organize her belongings. This is one of the best ways to do this…Now, If I had just thrown them all out with the trash, ….I wouldn’t be able to look back on her life and remember certain events or times that I may have otherwise forgot.