Kid Memory Binders
This post shows you how to make kid memory binders with Costco binders and sheet protectors. It’s an easy way to save your kids memories, art work, pictures, awards, etc.
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
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 a memory binder book:
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?
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I’m not sure why but this site is loading extremely slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a problem on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
First off I would like to say wonderful blog!
I had a quick question that I’d like to ask if you do not mind. I was interested to find out how you center yourself and clear your thoughts before writing. I’ve had a hard time clearing my thoughts in getting
my thoughts out there. I do take pleasure in writing but it
just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are
usually wasted just trying to figure out how to begin.
Any suggestions or hints? Thank you!
Hi. I was wondering if these were just school binders for school or if you put anything from that year in them_ for example things from friends, birthday cards anything
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I have a two step system. 1) A rubbermaid chest of drawers. Each kids has a drawer. All artwork, school papers etc. go into that drawer after we’ve reviewed them. This serves two purposes a) we don’t have to decide whether to keep something on the fly and b) all their assignments/quizzes are kept so that when the big test comes around they can pull out the other papers and study. Then, when the drawers fill up (about once a semester), my husband or I go through and decide what to keep. Usually artwork, writing samples that are espeically clever, a couple tests with A’s. These go in a rubbermaid tote (the ones big enough to fit a 8×11 paper flat on the bottom). Each kid has their own tote.
I have been considering a way to better display the artwork and short stories. A binder might do the trick. Thanks for the idea!
What do you do with the construction paper/ projects that dont fit into the sheet protectors?
For big items you can take pictures (like the board after their first scrabble game).
I used this binder method myself for making my own scrapbook for high school (1) and college (1).
I have a huge (one for each child) plastic tote full of school memories! I have a memory box for extra special stuff. This is going to happen very soon…I can just feel myself breathing easier because of it! ;) I even have a shelf tucked up high in closets to store the binders when they are done….GREAT idea