Back to School Organization Products Recommended by a Mom of 5

I’m a mom of five kids, ages 5 to 16, and for the first time since I became a parent 16 years ago, I will have all of my children in school this fall. That reality comes with a lot of different emotions, but it also comes with a lot of different needs too. Keeping up with a teenager’s sports schedule on top of managing a 5-year-old’s playdates and trying to keep the house from falling apart while running my own business means I need to start my organizational plan ASAP. 

Here’s what I’m doing to try to stay on top of the needs of five kids of different ages, from a meal plan I can post on the fridge to a smart speaker for the kitchen that keeps everyone on task to my countertop file sorter to cut down on paperwork clutter. And because I spend half of my life in the car, I also love stocking my vehicle with items to make my life easier, like my favorite nourishing hand sanitizer, a car vacuum, and a collapsible tote I can keep packed and ready to go. And let’s not forget the items too that keep me happy and ready to take on my day, like a fancy at-home espresso machine. 

My Top Back-to-School Organization Products 

Household Organization

Keeping the household running during the school year can feel like a never-ending task, but I try to keep my focus on containing the clutter with catch-all baskets and paperwork storage for each kid, a smart speaker in the kitchen, a countertop charging station, my beloved monthly calendar (paper, because we have a stainless steel fridge), and every parent of teen’s must-have: extra charging bricks and cords. 

Skydue Magnetic Calendar 

Calendars are my #1 household organizational tool for keeping track of two working parents, three separate businesses, a farm, and five sports-playing kids. I use digital calendars for everything, but I also post a monthly catch-all calendar on our fridge so everyone can quickly see what’s going on. Plus, the monthly themes are a pretty way to perk up my kitchen! 

Ballucci File Organizer Paper Sorter 

My second favorite household organization hack is my countertop file sorter. I’ve trained each kid to empty their folders and backpacks every day directly into their cubby. Then, I sort and sign and pay all at once. It cuts down the clutter and the after-school chaos. 

Amazon Echo Show 

Through the years, I’ve also found it helpful to have some kind of smart speaker in our kitchen. I recently upgraded to a smart speaker with a screen because I like to see my updated digital calendar at a glance, use it for recipes while I’m cooking, and play music or sometimes even my favorite show while I’m working in the kitchen. Plus, the whole family can use it to update our ongoing shopping list, which I then check when I order groceries. Game-changer. 

Meals and Meal Planning

For school lunches, we’re big fans of the bento box, Stanley water bottles with flip-tops and handles that make them grab-and-go, and glass meal prep containers to cut down on those microplastics. I also love to stock up on lunch box ice packs so we’re not searching for fresh packs in the morning. 

Sweetzer & Orange Gold Meal Planner and Grocery List Magnetic Notepad 

Keeping seven people fed during the school year is by far our family’s biggest challenge. I’m not a natural chef in the kitchen, so I absolutely swear by meal planning to stay on track. Even if the plan deviates a bit through the week, having a basic plan helps me stick to my budget and have a plan each night. I’ve tried different types of meal planning tools, but this magnetic meal planning and shopping list (the list tears off!) is my new favorite tool for getting organized.

Premier Protein 12-Count Ready-Drink Shakes 

While ready-made protein shakes may not be the ideal option for every meal, I have come to rely on them during the school year to help me hit my daily protein goals. I’m on both a weight loss and a perimenopausal journey, so eating high amounts of protein per day is crucial to staying full and fueled. I like to buy a bulk pack and stash them everywhere I might need a quick pick-me-up, like my car, fridge, sports bags, and office. 

Bandesun Divided Serving Tray With Lid and Handle

I saw these “snackable” boxes all over Instagram and was intrigued. Everyone loves a good Lunchable, and these boxes let kids—or adults—snack to their heart’s content. They’re ideal for lunches for picky kids (again, or adults), after-school snacks, or endless sports tournaments. This option is a best-seller on Amazon and comes with a lid and carrying handle to make it easy to take on the go. 

Sports and Carpooling

If you’ll be spending a lot of time in the car this fall for carpooling and sports, it only makes sense to invest in a few items to make that time more enjoyable. From a cordless car vacuum for only $30 to a giant water cooler that ensures no one runs out of water, make your office on wheels more pleasant to spend time in. 

LHZK Standing Extra Large Utility Tote Bag

If you need a catch-all bag for sports or other activities, this tote is a lifesaver. It can hold an enormous amount of stuff and is very easy to carry. Yesterday, I used it for nine towels and all the beach stuff my family of seven used. During sports seasons, I just keep this tote in my car, packed with everything we might need, like extra clothes, knee pads, soccer shin guards, water bottles, umbrellas, paper plates and paper towels, towels, and snacks. 

Matein Insulated Cooler Backpack

I’m not exaggerating when I say that this backpack is the single greatest organizational purchase I have made as a sports mom. If you have a kid who does any type of long tournaments or games, you’ll want this bag. It holds my laptop and charger with plenty of room to spare, and it has a USB charging port and a very generous insulated zip-open cooler. I love being able to take everything we need, hands-free for sports. (Not to mention how much money it saves when I pack food and snacks!)

Gum Subscription

This might sound really silly for a sports organization category, but it’s improved my life so much that I’m just going to tell you: I added an Amazon subscription for bulk packs of gum to keep in my car. For some reason, having gum is a hit when I’m carting kids around. And sometimes, a stick of that fresh spearmint is all I need to keep going too. I’m now known as the mom with the gum in her car, which I’m 100% OK with. 

Cleaning

Cleaning our house also takes up a considerable amount of time in my life, and I’d much rather be doing anything else. Our family doesn’t have the budget to hire someone else to do it, so I’m doing my best to lighten my load. For instance, I have my eyes on a highly-rated robot mop (the dream!), and in the meantime, I’m in love with my new wring mop. I also keep cleaning supplies like garbage bags and Clorox wipes coming with monthly Amazon subscriptions.

O-Cedar EasyWring RinseClean Microfiber Spin Mop & Bucket

My mother-in-law gave me this spin mop, and it’s life-changing. I love it to mop my floors, but here’s my hack: I also use it to clean my car. Maybe it’s a big no-no, but during the winter months, when my car’s interior gets absolutely wrecked with muddy, snowy boots, I give the whole thing a quick mop to keep it under control. I do have leather interiors and floor mats, and they mop up beautifully. 

Roborock Q7 Max Robot Vacuum and Mop Cleaner

Speaking of mops, I’ve been dreaming about a robot mop cleaner for a long time, and the reviews and price of this one just might convince me to take the plunge. The Roborock is Amazon’s choice for a robot vacuum and mop and has an average of 4.2 stars and 545 ratings. (For context, even the name-brand robot mops have an average of 4 stars or less). “I LOVE this vacuum,” gushed one Amazon shopper. “Suction power is much higher than my previous Shark robot vacuum. The mop option was a bonus, as I didn’t necessarily want or need a mop function. However, being able to mop my kitchen floor on demand with little effort from me, is a great feature.”

Swiffer Duster Heavy Duty 3-Foot Extended Handle Dusting Kit

I actually feel slightly embarrassed to admit to you that I didn’t know this product even existed until a few months ago, but now that I know about it, I’m never going back. I bought the cheapest duster handle I could get and then buy the off-brand refills, but they get the job done. I actually task my 5-year-old with dusting almost every day after dinner, and she thinks it’s so fun. Also handy? How well these clean the air vents that I may or may not have neglected for the past few years. Oops. 

Just For My Health and Happiness

To help keep my house stocked, I use Amazon and Walmart subscriptions for as many basic household supplies as I can, including monthly deliveries of toothpaste, toilet paper, deodorant, and shampoo and conditioner sets. I’ve also tried to streamline my life with a walking pad to ensure I get my steps in while working, and treated myself to a new espresso machine because it makes me feel fancy. 

Touchland Glow Mist Revitalizing Hand Sanitizer Spray

I actually feel silly telling you about this purchase, but it has improved my quality of life, so I am doing it anyway. It feels like this is more expensive than hand sanitizer should be, but I bought this rosewater-scented option for my car, and my kids and I all use it regularly. I love that I have it for after grocery shopping, sports tournaments, and anytime we want to eat in the car. Plus, I have an immunocompromised family member and this gives us all peace of mind to have on hand. (Literally!)

Axylex Faux Outdoor Flowers, 16 Bundles

I am someone who likes the idea of gardening more than the reality of it, so after many failed attempts at keeping flowers on my porch alive, I finally gave up and bought some fake flowers off Amazon. These options came highly rated, have multiple color choices—including fall colors—and garnered a compliment from my green thumb mother-in-law, so I consider them a great success for my back porch. (And RIP to all the mums I’ve killed over the years.)

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