Last Minute gifts, Homework box

Practical yet super fun!

A couple of weeks ago the big sister brought home a paper from school that was given to her by her teacher. It was all about how busy family life has gotten and how important it is to keep organized with homework. It stated that it really doesn’t matter where you do your homework only that if you were organized and had the right supplies it could get done. Weather at home or while waiting for you next dance class to start…. (the big sister takes 4 different classes this year and on wed. has good chunk of time between classes we usually work on her homework then.) all you need is a homework box to get the job done!  I tucked the paper away thinking that I would make each of the girls a “homework box” for Christmas. This would be a super CUTE back to school gift but since I just got the idea Christmas it is!

Here’s what you need to make your own homework box…..

Containers big enough to hold the essentials but still small enough to be taken on the go

I found mine at Walmart and they work perfectly

You can label your box or leave plain.  I chose to label it since I have to make two and labeling=no fighting around here! I used Vinyl cut with my cricut, but any permanent marker or paint marker or sticker label would work great.

Age appropriate school supplies. In this case I used the list that the teacher suggested. (The big sister is in 2nd grade) I was going to put some coloring books and more age appropriate things in the little sister’s box but I knew that if they didn’t have the “same” supplies in their boxes that would just be a headache for me! “Why didn’t I get a stapler? or why don’t I get fun coloring books in my box?” Just like the labels, same items=no fighting. Here is what we used…..

• Markers
• Lined Paper
• Crayons
• Colored Pencils
• Pencils
• Erasers
• Pocket Folder
• Highlighters
• Scissors
• Glue Sticks
• Pencil Bag (I absolutely could not find pencil bags?? I used makeup bags instead. They just barely fit the pencils but they should work for now.)
• Pencil Sharpener
• Ruler
• Stapler/Staples
• Clipboard

My favorite and really the only “crafty” part of this gift was the clipboards. I have always wanted to try to make a fancy clipboard but to be honest with you I never really had a reason for one until now. I LOVE the way they turned out and I know the sisters will love them too! And they were so simple. There are a ton of tuts on how to make these cuties out there in blog land, but I just went with basic knowledge.

I know, I know the little sister’s doesn’t have her name on it, but it has glitter on it and she is a girl after my own heart, she LOVES anything that sparkles. (or in her words “farkles”)

I don’t have pictures of the process but here is what I did….

• Make a template of your “naked” clipboard so that you know where to cut your paper to go around the clip part of the board.
• trace your template out onto the paper of your choice. (the possibilities are literally endless here)
• spread mod podge with a brush onto your clipboard and adhere your paper. I used a small rolling pin to smooth out any bubbles. Let dry
• Add an additional coat of mod podge to the top of your paper to finish.
• when it’s all dry you can add ribbon for added cuteness to the clip. I have seen them done with ribbon tied to cover the whole clip which is adorable but, I thought that it may get in the way and frustrate my girls, so I just added a few to each side. Still cute, right?

The whole point of this box is to always have everything you need on hand. No more searching for sharpened pencils or a pair of scissors. No more using school crayons for coloring crayons. No more stealing the kids scissors cause you can’t find your own. (guilty)  right????? Hmph in my house I would be lucky if this box stayed complete for 5 minutes. That’s why I decided to add the homework box checklist. I drew up some school supplies and turned them into graphics on my computer added them to sheet I created in photoshop, threw in some stickers in the box so the sisters could keep track of what they had and wala! Hopefully a way to keep these boxes organized and well stocked! It will be the girl’s responsibility to inform me when they need to be restocked and (I think) it will make them feel like they are an important part of keeping things together.

Here is the supply checklist I created. Feel free to grab it and use it as you wish. Please just tell others where you got it!

Last but not least add all of your homework items to your box. I need to reprint my checklists as I just realized I had erasers twice. I plan to laminate our sheets so that they can be used more than once. The stickers should peel off of the laminate fairly easy for when we need to start over. I also plan to make another sheet for Sept.-Dec. so they can use their boxes next year too. Fun and functional! It would also be fun to make a craft or art box for fun things like coloring and painting. No time left for me for Christmas but maybe a cute Valentine gift??? You make my world more colorful! You color my world! Just thinking out loud!

Another key thing for these boxes is finding the perfect spot to keep them. On top of the fridge or in a closet would be a great idea…. you want them easily accessible but not too easy if you know what I mean! The Husband is in the process of making one of my crazy ideas come to life (another post to come) I can’t wait! Hopefully it will bring much organization to my not so organized life, and it will be a PERFECT spot for our new homework boxes!

 

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