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If you’re a parent, you know that those drawings, finger paintings, and craft projects have a way of building up. Paper clutter is one of the things organizers often recommend people get rid of, but it can be hard to toss your kids’ creations. We tapped organizers who are also moms for tips on how to declutter kids’ artwork.

Organizers say most of your kids’ artwork probably doesn’t need to be kept. We know, you might have a pang of guilt tossing it in the bin, but we promise it will pass. One idea is to focus your energy on creative ways to display or preserve a few prized pieces, rather than saving every half-done drawing in a box forever. You can digitize certain pieces, hang them in a frame, or tuck them into a photo album. Organizers note that you can also have your kids gift pieces to friends or family. We’ve even seen parents use their kids’ drawings as gift wrap.

Ahead, learn more about why organizers want you to throw away your kids’ artwork, creative ways to preserve the most-loved pieces, and tips for sorting through it all. For more tips, read up on things in your kids’ room you should get rid of.

Paper clutter takes a toll on our mental well-being, impacting stress levels and productivity. "As both a professional organizer and a mom, I've seen how excess paper creates this constant visual noise that disrupts our functionality, focus and even our family harmony," says Laura Kinsella, founder of Urban OrgaNYze. "When papers are scattered everywhere, we waste time searching, feel guilty about the mess and lose those truly special items in the shuffle."

Kinsella, who throws out 75% of her kids' artwork, says it's important to be selective. "The real value lies in the creative process: When kids make art, they reduce stress, build confidence and stimulate their minds. We don't need to keep every piece to preserve those benefits."

The pros stress the importance of quality over quantity. "It can be more impactful to save and display a few prized masterpieces than to keep boxes of artwork stashed in a closet," says Lisa Zaslow, founder of Gotham Organizers. "But, no need to feel guilty if you don’t want to keep any of it."

For the small percentage of art you keep, don't toss it in a drawer and forget about it. The pros suggest digitizing or displaying your kids' artwork, so you can eliminate paper clutter without throwing away cherished memories.

Ask yourself: Is it important to keep the art in its original form or could you take a photo of it, instead? "Take a photo and make a digital or printed album of items that are too big or that don’t make sense to store," says Zaslow.

Modern frames with a front opening design allow you to easily swap in artwork. Some options hold up to 50 papers at once, so you can continue to stack artwork as your little one creates.

Before you toss a masterpiece, take a photo and upload it to a digital photo frame, like the Aura frame, so you can keep admiring it.

There are various brands that specialize in turning kids' artwork into something special — think coffee table books, collages, gift wrap or T-shirts. "Artkive is fantastic if you want a done-for-you service," says Kinsella. Fill a box with artwork, send it in and they'll professionally photograph everything.

Sites like Shutterfly and Artifact Uprising allow you to transform photos into personalized art — whether it's a framed print, photo display box or canvas print.

To alleviate guilt and decision fatigue, pro organizers suggest creating realistic systems for organizing your kids' artwork.

Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.

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