Thursday, January 20, 2011

Kids Document Keeper

It is the start of a new year, and that often makes one look around and take stock in their surroundings.  Like me, for example, it is time to de-clutter and do some organization.  I was given this great box at a baby shower before my son (now 5) was born.

I have used it from the very beginning to store all of his most important memories.  (I do not use this for his vital documents.)  I have certificates from swimming lessons, handouts from the pediatrician, and the hardware and instructions for converting his crib into a full-sized bed.  I made a similar document box for my friend's baby shower.  (Her son just turned 1 last week.)

Well, I am coming clean...my daughter is well over 2 and in need of her own box.  I cannot keep shoving her memories into her brother's box nor can I leave them in stacks all over the house. I am finally going to make her a box of her own.

Following you will find the materials and instructions you need to make your own box.

Here are the things you need to make your own document keeper:
  • A file box for hanging files
  • Hanging file folders (I found these cute folders at Walmart.)
  • Hanging file folder tabs
  • Labels for the folders
  • Bling to decorate the box

First, you have some options for making the labels for the tabs.  You can just write on the card provided with the tabs, OR you can print out your own more decorative labels on a piece of cardstock or label paper.  I used cardstock.  To get the sizing for the squares I made a table in a word document and adjusted the size around each square to be approximately 2' x 0.5".  Use label paper with labels measuring 1.75" x 0.5" such as Avery 8167 or 8927 if you choose the sticker option.  Of course, there are other options for labeling as well.  Use your imagination!

Here is a list of potential label categories, but you can make whatever ones are right for you.

Baby Care Information            Health Records              Cards & Letters
Age 0 - 3                                   Age 3 - 5                         Kindergarten
1st Grade                                  2nd Grade                       3rd Grade
4th Grade                                  5th Grade                        6th Grade
7th Grade                                  8th Grade                        9th Grade
10th Grade                                11th Grade                      12th Grade
Documents and Certificates   Pictures                           Portraits
Sports                                        Scouts                             Young Women
Coupons                                    Warranties                      Directions


Next, cut out the labels and slide them into the tabs.  Secure the tabs into each hanging folder alternating them across so that all of the labels are visible.  I always have a  few extra blank folders at the back of the file for things I haven't thought of yet.


Naturally, the decorating comes at the end.  I used rhinestone stickers and a vinyl rub-on from the craft store.  Now, the challenging part will be to keep my 2-year-old from thinking that this is her toy!

These large pieces of chip board came at the back of the hanging folder packages.  Save them for another project on another day!

Have fun making your own document keeper!

I am linking up to some of the great link parties listed on my Linky Party page.  Click HERE to see a full list.

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If you found this post useful, you might enjoy these other posts on organization: Fun In A File Folder, Feelin' Spicy, and I Am So Hooked Up!

Thanks for visiting!














13 comments:

GardenOfDaisies said...

What a great idea!! My kids papers are just in my regular filing cabinets, so when I want to turn all that over to them, I'm going to have to go through everything to find it! I needed your idea back 20 some years ago when mine were little.

Tracy said...

Oh wow I am so excited I am making one of these what a brilliant idea whilst I am past having babies there will always be grandchildren at some stage what a great way to store all those important things

H said...

What a great idea. I wish I'd thought of it 19 years ago. The stuff I kept is in scrapbooks and odd folders. This is much better!

KDL said...

Great idea. I have one of these for my oldest with all her school documents since she has learning differences and thus a lot of school paperwork to handle that. Each of my kids has a folder that I put stuff in, plus scrapbooks and such, but this would probably be easier to maintain. Wonder if it's too late to start at 7, 3, and 3??

Unknown said...

What a great idea! I need to make one of these boxes for my daughter (now 2). I have so many papers I've collected and thrown into envelopes for future scrapbooking (which I never get to) that it's just a big pile of mess on my desk. I would love to do something like this so that it's all organized and safely kept. Thanks for this wonderful idea!

Jill said...

Great idea - I love the cute princess box!

Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a great week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

This is such an awesome idea! My kids projects are strewn about the house in haphazard chaos like the rest of our life! A memory box would be soo much better.. and of course a great excuse to bust out the craft supplies! Thanks for sharing with the Pink Hippo party! Can't wait to see what you share next week!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful idea. I think I am going to make one for my niece! I started to collect the kids things in binders with the page protectors, but this would be so much easier!

Jenny said...

What a brilliant organizational idea! I have envelopes that I try to keep snippets of sayings and pictures in, but I like this so much better!

Now if I could just get someone to come and put all my kids stuff (they are all around 30 now) in bins like this... sigh...

Thanks for sharing this clever and delightful project with us!

Thanks for linking.

A+

SewHappyGeek said...

Awww, that's so cute! I need to do something similar as my little folder is getting a bit stuffed! Thanks so much for linking up - can't wait to see what else you link up :)

Jenn @ Frugal Upstate said...

My Mom always kept a file folder for each of us for certificates & "important" stuff-I've been lax on doing the same for the kiddos. A hanging file like this would be a perfect way to start.

Carolyn said...

We did a similar thing...keeping special items, and now just waiting to hand them over.

CatCat said...

Such a thoughtful idea and DIY project. Documenting memories will surely be treasured when your children are all grown up already, eh.

Cheers,
Cathy@Essential Items to Complete Nurses Uniform