One Box, Multiple Kids: How to Organize Your Artkive Box

Been holding off on sending in your Artkive Box? If sorting through two or three kids' worth of artwork feels like a project you don't have time for, this guide is for you."

Here's the good news: packing one box for multiple children is completely doable, and Artkive's team handles the rest. Below, we walk you through exactly how to pack your Artkive Box when you have more than one child's artwork to preserve. These tips will make sure every piece ends up in the book properly.

1. Gather All Your Kids' Arts and Crafts

Before you sort a single thing, do a full sweep of the house. Check the fridge, the walls, the bins, the bedroom floors, and yes — that mystery drawer. Gather all of your kids' arts and crafts in one spot so you're working with the full picture (literally). Kids' art has a way of ending up in every corner; a quick sweep can save you from finding a stray watercolor halfway through.

• Do a room-by-room walkthrough before you start sorting

• If you have any framed artwork you'd like to include, remove it from the frame. Do not send glass in your Artkive Box. If the frame is part of the craft, remove the glass from the window.

• Collect everything into one central pile before moving to Step 2

2. Separate the Art by Child

Once you've gathered the full collection, start sorting it into piles — one per child. As you sort, permit yourself to recycle anything you know isn't worth keeping. Decluttering as you go makes the whole process feel lighter. Use note cards or sticky notes to label each pile with your child's name as you build it out.

• Invite the kids to help sort — they love it, and it speeds things up

• Use note cards to mark each pile clearly (e.g., "Mia," "Lucas")

• Toss anything you're certain you don't want to preserve — no guilt required

This can also be a great activity to do with your kids; feel free to involve them in the sorting process.

3. Sort Each Pile by Age or Grade (Optional)

Once each child's art is in its own pile, organize within that pile by age or grade. Since Artkive photographs your art in the order it arrives, the way you pack the box shapes the flow of your child's book. You can always rearrange pages when you review your book proof, but starting with organization makes the process easier.

• Use note cards to divide each child's pile into age or grade groupings

• Label clearly: "Emma – Grade 1," "Emma – Grade 2," and so on

• If this step feels overwhelming, you can reorganize digitally during your proof review

While this step is optional, you may find it worth the extra time to fully capture each child's creative journey.

4. Secure & Label Each Stack (A Packing Checklist)

The goal now is to keep all this organization inside the box. The best tools for this are large binder clips or oversized zip-lock bags — both keep art together and clearly separated during transit. Paper grocery bags work well too, especially for larger stacks. Label each secured bundle clearly so Artkive's team knows exactly whose art is whose.

• Use binder clips, large zip-lock bags, or paper grocery bags to secure each bundle

• Attach a note card or label to every stack with the child's name and grade grouping

• Contain any glitter-heavy pieces in their own sealed bag to prevent sparkle migration

** Avoid rubber bands as they can be too loose (art slips out), or too tight (edges get bent or torn). Avoid regular paperclips as they tend to slide off in transit

5. Fill Out Your Order Forms / Place Them on Top

Your Artkive Box comes with an Order Form inside. You'll also find one attached to your confirmation email. Here's what you need to know when ordering for multiple children:

• Separate books for each child? Fill out one Order Form per child and place each form on top of that child's corresponding bundle

• All kids in one shared book? Fill out a single Order Form and list each of the children's names on the name line

• Place each completed form directly on top of the art bundle it belongs to before closing the box

• If you need additional Order Forms, you can find them here.

Now Pack That Artkive Box, We're Rooting for You!

Once everything is labeled, secured, and your forms are filled out, you're ready to seal it up and send it off. Need some musical motivation? Queue up the Artkive Packing Playlist on Spotify, curated by our team for this moment.

If you hit a snag along the way, Artkive's support team is always happy to help. Reach out at help@artkivebox.com with any questions about packing, order forms, or anything else. They've seen every scenario, and they've got you covered.

In the words of Jon Bon Jovi, "You're halfway there!" Hopefully, these tips will get you over the finish line. Let's turn those piles into something beautiful.

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