Ultimate DIY School Memory Box with Free Printables

A DIY school memory box is a fantastic way to preserve and organize your child’s artwork, school work, photos, and other meaningful items. This printable bundle offers various versions to suit your child’s unique style. By creating a keepsake box, you can maintain a tidy and efficient home filing system for your kids’ schoolwork and keepsakes. Let’s explore how you can easily make your own school memory box.

Is your kids’ schoolwork stacking up week-to-week? No more feeling guilty for tossing it because you are running out of space. Taking the time to make your own memory box for your kids will pay off. They may not appreciate it when they are young, but once they grow into adults they will treasure this keepsake for years to come. And so will you!

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Why should parents make a school memory box for their children?

Parents should consider making a school memory box for their kids because it serves as a meaningful and nostalgic keepsake that captures the essence of their educational journey. Here are a few reasons why a school memory box is valuable:

• Preserving memories – School years are filled with countless milestones, achievements, and treasured moments. Creating a memory box allows parents to carefully collect and preserve tangible items that hold sentimental value, such as artwork, report cards, certificates, event programs, and handwritten notes.
• Documenting your child’s progress – A school memory box provides an opportunity to document the progression of a child’s academic and personal development.
• Building self-esteem – It serves as a tangible reminder of their hard work and progress, reinforcing their confidence and encouraging them to continue striving for success in future endeavors.
• Nostalgic reflection – The school memory box provides a treasure trove of memories that can be revisited together as a family.
• Future celebrations – The contents of a school memory box can also be used to celebrate milestone moments in the future, such as high school graduation or college acceptance.

How to Create a School Memory Box

Easily organize school memories in one convenient place.

Grab all supplies here on Amazon

• Mobile File Box – We found a few clear ones on Amazon. They sell packs of four if you are making multiple school memory boxes.
• Hanging File Folders – These are available in different colors and include a slot for file tabs.  Choose the color that fits your child’s personality the best.
• Paper Trimmer – This helps me cut my paper in straight lines. It makes cutting the file tabs easy!
• White Paper or Cardstock – I find cardstock paper looks best and makes the colors really pop!
• Memory Box Printables – Get them below by subscribing or shop here for various designs.
• Printer

Optional Supplies and Equipment

For my memory boxes, I used my Cricut Maker (Cricut Explore Air) to design and cut the names out. The other option is to print the School Memory Box coversheet and write your kid’s name on it. Then, tape it to the front of your box.

For these keepsake boxes, I used yellow vinyl and pink vinyl for the kids’ names. I used a standard grip cutting mat with the Cricut.

Pro tip: Using vinyl transfer tape will ensure proper placement of the name on the front of the box.

How to use a Cricut Explore Air

Not sure how to use your Cricut? It takes some practice, but once you get it down it’s fairly simple. Skip this step if you are not using vinyl cut outs.

Activity Prep

Once you have all the supplies ready, print the printables. (Sign up for our e-newsletter below for the free printables or shop here for the ultimate memory box kit bundle.

Then, cut out the file tabs and place them in hanging folders. Once completed, place the hanging folders inside the box.

Using a marker, write your child’s name on the Memory Box cover sheet. Tape the memory box cover sheet on the front of the box.

Have your child fill out the All About Me sheet each school year. Fill it out for the preschool-aged kids.

Place your memory boxes somewhere where they are easy to access so you can organize schoolwork and memorabilia from your child’s early years until he or she reaches high school.

Tips

• Laminate the Memory Cover Sheet so it holds up nicely over the years.
• Consider making Memory Boxes as gifts for others!

Items to put in your child’s memory box

Once you have your memory box assembled, start placing keepsakes in each grade level as they come or catch up on past years. Here are different things you can place in your diy memory box to capture your child’s school years in the best way:

• Baby/Toddler- There are so many items during the early years. You could create a baby memory box alone. Here are a few baby and toddler items to include: Ultrasound, hospital hat, baby shower invite, hospital wristband, a lock of baby’s hair, photos, footprints, birth, and birthday cards.
• Preschool – photos, art projects, awards, holiday placemats, school pictures, kids’s school papers, progress reports
• Grade school – school report cards, certificates, artwork, awards, photos, sports, and extracurricular memorabilia, First and Last Day of School Questionnaires, time capsules, and year-in-review worksheets.
• High school: special awards, recognition, press mentions, scholarships, sentimental items like photos of their first day of driving.
• Photo albums or photo books with family photos
• Sentimental items like your favorite photos,
• Nostalgic items from special events

Project FAQs

Do you have to own a Cricut to make a personalized name?

No, you can order a name decal for labeling from many Etsy vendors. Here’s a bestselling vinyl name decal maker that makes custom labels in many sizes and styles.

Should I make a memory box if my kid has already grown past preschool age?

Yes! I started this project with my kids already missing many school grades. The good news is that I saved most of their best schoolwork. It was a matter of finding it and placing it in this organized filing system. It may take time to hunt them down, but it’s worth it. There will be plenty of projects and keepsakes to save no matter your child’s age.

More organizing and keepsake projects

• 31-Day Decluttering Challenge – Need more help getting organized? This challenge may help!
• 40 Questions for Kids to Ask Their Parents – Once your children are older, consider answering and recording your answers here for them to treasure into their adult years.
• First Day of School Questionaire
• My Summer Break Report

Download the free basic printable set

Enter your first name and email address in the form below to get the printable PDF. You will receive a link to download the PDF to your email within minutes.

If you would not fill out the form, you can get a copy in my shop here.

The Free Bundle will include:

• Memory Box File Tabs – 2 designs (Baby to 12th grade)
• My Memory Box Cover –  1 design on 1 PDF
• All About Me Printable – 1 design on 1 PDF

If you do not immediately receive the email, make sure to check your promotions, spam, and junk folders!

Shop the Ultimate School Memory Box Bundle

Choose from a variety of designs to personalize your memory box. This bundle is a must for making multiple boxes.

• Memory Box File Tabs – 4 different designs of folder tabs (Baby to 12th grade) on 2 PDFs

• My Memory Box Covers –  6 designs on 6 PDFs

• All About Me Printables – 5 designs on 5 PDFs

These printables are for personal use only. Commercial use of these print files is prohibited! The actual files may NOT be shared, sold, given away, traded, or transferred to anyone else in any form.

Creating a school memory box for kids is a wonderful way for parents to preserve and honor their educational journey. It captures special moments, fosters self-esteem, promotes reflection, and provides a touchstone for future celebrations. It’s a tangible representation of the growth, achievements, and memories that children and parents can cherish for a lifetime.

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