Decluttering and Organizing Kids’ Artwork Without Losing the Memories

Declutter & OrganizeIntentional LivingEdit & Style

Jun 23

If you’re a parent, you’ve probably had this moment: your child hands you a colorful, slightly crumpled drawing with pride beaming on their face. You smile, genuinely touched—but then you look over at the growing mountain of similar masterpieces scattered across the kitchen counter, taped to the fridge, or stuffed in drawers. Sound familiar?

Let’s be real—kids create a lot of art. And while each piece feels precious in the moment, it’s just not practical (or necessary) to keep all of it. So how do you organize kids’ artwork without feeling like you’re throwing away their childhood? That’s exactly what we’re going to talk about here. No pressure, no perfection—just simple, doable ideas for real families.

Why It Feels So Hard to Let Go

There’s a reason this feels emotional. Artwork is often tied to memories—milestones, phases, and the sweet little stories behind each drawing. It’s more than paper; it’s a snapshot in time. So when we talk about decluttering it, we’re not just talking logistics—we’re talking about honoring memories while still creating space in your home (and your mind).

Step One: Gather It All In One Place

Before deciding what stays and what goes, it helps to see the full picture. Grab a bin, a tote bag, or even a large basket and do a sweep of your house. Pull art from drawers, counters, backpacks, the fridge, and anywhere else it's hiding.

Once everything’s in one spot, take a breath. You’re doing great already.

Step Two: Set Aside a Few Keepers

You don’t have to make every decision today, but here’s a helpful guideline:
Pick 5–10 favorites per year, per child.

That might include:

First self-portraits
Holiday or birthday-themed artwork
Anything with their handprints
Pieces that show personality (“This is our cat on the moon!”)

Choose the ones that make you smile, laugh, or pause—that’s usually your sign it’s worth keeping.

Step Three: Take Photos of the Rest

This is where technology is your friend. You can capture the memory without keeping the physical paper.

A few simple options:

Use your phone and create an album in your photo app
Use apps like Artkive that is designed specifically for organizing kids’ artwork
Scan drawings with a document scanner or app like Genius Scan

If you want to go a step further, Artkive will even create a custom art book for you. It’s a lovely way to keep the memories without the clutter. A bookshelf takes up way less space than ten bins of construction paper and glitter.

Step Four: Get the Kids Involved (If It Feels Right)

Depending on their age, you might be surprised how much kids enjoy choosing their own favorites. It can even be a fun little activity: “Let’s pick the top 5 that you’re most proud of this year!”

Involving them not only lightens the emotional load for you, but helps them learn about letting go, too—in a healthy, empowering way.

Step Five: Create a System Moving Forward

To prevent the paper pile-up from sneaking up again, a simple system helps.

Here are a few you can try:

1. The “In-Between” Bin:
Have one designated spot (like a bin or folder) where new art goes right after it comes home. Once it’s full, it’s time to sort and either photograph, store, or recycle.

2. Monthly Review:
Set a reminder on your phone or calendar to go through the artwork monthly. It takes 10–15 minutes and saves hours down the line.

3. Display, Then Let Go:
Use a rotating display (like clipboards, frames, or a string with clothespins). When new art comes in, old ones come down. This gives each piece its moment to shine before moving on.

What to Do With the Originals You Keep

If you're holding onto physical pieces, here are a few ways to store them:

Portfolio folders (the kind artists use—big, flat, and easy to flip through)
Flat plastic bins under the bed or in a closet
Filing boxes with folders labeled by year or age

Label each piece with the date and a short note if needed (“First drawing of our dog!”). Future-you will thank you.

A Quick Word on Guilt

It’s totally normal to feel a little twinge when tossing a drawing, even if it’s just a scribble. But remember—you're not throwing away the memory. You’re making space for new ones.

Letting go of paper doesn't mean letting go of love.

You’re Doing Just Fine

Decluttering your child’s artwork doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and it doesn’t have to be perfect. The goal here isn’t to archive every single thing—it’s to preserve the special moments while creating breathing room in your home.

Whether you’re snapping a photo before recycling or creating a beautiful book through Artkive, you’re honoring your child’s creativity in a way that works for your family.

And hey, if this still feels like a lot, that’s okay too. You don’t have to do it all at once.

If you’re in Los Angeles or Orange County and ever need a little help creating systems like this in your home, you can always reach out to us. We’re here when you need an extra set of hands or just a calm voice in the chaos.

Until next time,
Elissa