15 Amazing DIY Homework Stations for Back to School
Are you stressed out thinking about the chaos that comes with back-to-school? Here are ideas for school organization at home – homework stations! – that are sure to help. You can also grab a free printable end-of-summer and 1st-Day-of School organizational checklist and motivational poster below!
The Back to School Chaos
As a former teacher, the homework issue was a big deal (and a big headache). It wasn’t uncommon for kids to walk into school the next day without their homework or poorly done homework.
If I’m being fully honest, my view on homework has changed a lot since my teaching days and as a homeschool mom.
However, if your child is assigned homework by a teacher, it needs done. And a homework station can help your kids focus and complete what’s being asked of them.
Tips for Getting Homework Done
I’m a huge fan of systems and processes, and adding a few school organization strategies to your home at the beginning of the year can be so beneficial to your child’s success.
Having a designated place for homework goes such a long way in productivity for kids.
It saves so much time when all of the supplies are right in one place, and they know that when they sit there, they need to get down to business. A few pointers for homework stations:
1| Make sure your homework station is distraction-free. It should be in a quiet place. No TVs. A cell-phone-free zone.
2| All the supplies they need should be within reach. This will save a ton of time, and it will also cut down on their excuses to leave the station to hunt down supplies (i.e. waste time).
3| If your child needs supervision, it should ideally be someplace where you can keep an eye on them, while you’re making dinner or doing something else.
4| Whatever your child needs to be productive, provide it. You know your child. If your child needs background noise, classical music is a good choice. If a timer would help, put one on the desk.
5| Get your child involved in decorating it and setting it up. There’s a good chance they’ll want to spend time there if they helped design it!
6| Identify whether your kids can work together or need to be separated. Separating might require a little creativity, but the time and energy you’ll save in drama and breaking up fights will be worth it!
You’ll see all kinds of ideas below. No pressure to go over the top. Do what works best for your family and budget!
OK, let’s check out those DIY homework stations!
15 Homework Station to Help Your Kids Succeed
How to Build a DIY Homework Station
How beautiful is this! If I was a kid, I would never want to leave! This is a great start to motivating them to work - a clean, non-distracting space that is just lovely!
Dollar Store Portable Homework Station
This is just a simple caddy (you can find similar ones for cheap at Dollar Tree) with cups filled with supplies. Just having everything handy in one place really cuts down on wasted time (intentional or not!) trying to find supplies.
Easy DIY Homework Stations
This space shows that you don't need to be over-the-top fancy to provide a space where kids can focus. This one is simple, inexpensive, and efficient!
Rolling Cart Homework Station
Here's another supply cart that takes it up to the next level. A rolling cart can be moved to different locations, and you can definitely expand the items that will be accessible to your kids. This can be a great choice if you know your child has lots of different kinds of projects and needs lots of different kinds of materials.
Closet Turned Homework Station
I love this idea utilizes space in a creative way! This station has been transformed from a closet! How great that this child will have a cozy space all his own.
DIY Homework Station
This area utilizes so many different aspects of helping a child succeed! All the bases are covered not only with a quiet place to work but books, school supplies, and other learning tools right within reach.
How To Easily Create A Kids Homework Station
This is another beautiful space that is light and bright! I love the calming atmosphere, and I think it's perfectly suited to give kids an area to focus.
DIY Small Homework Station
If you don't have a lot of room or if you have multiple kids who need homework stations, this has wonderful ideas! A big bulletin board in front, a rolling cart. Perfect for productivity without needing a lot of real estate in the house!
Chalkboard Homework Command Center
With a space like this, I think many kids wouldn't mind doing homework! Bulletin boards, baskets, adorable curtain rods hung with buckets of supplies. This is amazing. This set up for 2 children, so if you know your kids can work side-by-side, this is a great option, without having to create 2 separate spaces.
DIY Homework Station with Shelves & Baskets
The shelf above this desk does all the heavy lifting for organization. Color-coordinated baskets filled with supplies, books, and having a clean, non-distracting workspace is especially helpful for kids who are easily distracted.
Small Space 2-in-1 Homework Station
If your kids can't work side-by-side, this is a great space-saving option! A table divided by a bookshelf provides an organized area for both kids to work, without getting on each other's nerves! Love this option!
Removable Tri-Fold Study Station
Those foam tri-fold project boards are a great option if you need to separate your kiddos. It doesn't have to be fancy - or even permanent - to provide each child with his own work area. I like this choice because your homework station can be at your dinner table, where you can keep an eye on them, but it's easily removable for dinnertime.
Kids Homework Station
This is such a great set-up using a table divided by a file cabinet. The clipboards hold all kinds of important info, and each child has his or her own bulletin board! Great solution for all the artwork they bring home!
Seat Sacks for the Kids
The hanging buckets with school supplies are a real winner for homework stations, and this over-the-chair holder is another great idea to keep things neat and accessible!
Kids Art and Homework Station
This homework station is so kid-friendly and inviting! Bold colors make it super-interesting, and the clothesline type string with clips is another fantastic place for important papers or displaying artwork.
Homework Station Master Supply List
This post contains affiliate links. See Disclosures for details.
Next up is supplies. I suggest hitting up Dollar Tree or someplace like that first for some of these items. Make sure the quality is what you need, but for some generic basics, it’s a good place to start.
Next, my go-to is Amazon. Their prices are comparable with Walmart – or better, sometimes. But I usually compare the two.
Below is the master list of supplies you’ll need.
HANGING ORGANIZATION SUPPLIES
Wire Clothes Line Display with Clips
WALL DECOR AND HANGING BOARDS
DESKTOP ORGANIZATION
As a former teacher, I can vouch for the fact that school organization at home is essential for a child’s success. The more you can incorporate some organizational strategies at home, the better off your child will be.
Having back-to-school organization systems in place make the transition easier for everyone!
Other Tips and Routines for School Organization
Dinnertime Meal Planning
Dinnertime can be such chaos during the school year. Here are 30 Easy & Healthy Weeknight Dinners you can choose from to make life run a little more smoothly.
Lunch Planning
Having lunches made the night before cuts down on a ton of morning drama. If your kids are old enough, add making their own lunches to their chore list.
And having convenient healthy grab & go snacks (all organic!) ready can make things much, much easier.
Clothes Planning
Picking out outfits the night before also cuts down on potential screaming matches before the bus comes. Making sure clothes are clean and ironed can help a lot also.
Backpacks Packed the Night Before
Making sure homework is in the backpack and all papers are signed the night before also cuts down on drama trying to get out the door.
Breakfast Planning
Whatever you serve your kids for breakfast, having it ready to go ahead of time is key. Knowing what they are going to eat ahead of time makes a big difference. And it can even be something you baked and froze ahead of time.
Having something simple like cheese sticks or protein bars or yogurt pouches they can eat on the way to school will help them get started with some healthy energy.
Tips from Your Child’s Teacher
Home is just one side of staying organized for the school years. Teachers also have a lot of valuable input when it comes to having a successful, productive year.
If you really want to up your game and get ahead of the curve, take a look at 10 things teachers wish parents knew!
And don’t forget prayer! You can get 31 printable Scripture-based prayer cards for your kids right here for free!
Free Back to School Check List & Poster HERE!
If you’d like a free back-to-school checklist, so you can be really prepared for school, grab this checklist as well as a free motivational print, ‘You can do hard things’.
Just fill out the box below!
More Back-To-School Help
19 Easy DIY Backpack Storage Ideas
25+ Functional (& Pretty!) Family Command Centers
An Open Letter to Parents from Your Child’s Teacher
65+ Grab & Go Organic Snacks – Perfect for Healthy School Lunches!
31 Scripture-Based Back-to-School Prayers {Free Printable}
20 Immune Boosting Foods for Kids {That They’ll Actually Eat!}
Thought? Leave a comment – I’d love to hear them and chat! And if you enjoyed this post, I’d be so grateful if you pinned or shared. Thank you so much!
