My brother has a system that I think is brilliant. Each child has a color they picked. No two kids can have the same color. Once they pick a color, it is their color for life. When they buy something for that child, it is always in that color.
They have a blanket throw for each child. They know exactly which child left the blanket down because it is their color. They each have a towel in their color. If it is on the floor, they don't have a towel and they know which child left it out. In my house, we all have white bath robes I made. For years when they were younger I would have to run around finding which child left the wet robe on the carpet. They don't have that problem.
They each have one plate, bowl and cup. If they use it, they wash it and put it right away. They then know if they don't, they will have to before the next meal. They have hooks on the wall next to the fridge where they each hang their mug so they don't have cups all over the counters and house. If they take it somewhere and leave it, they have to go find it before getting another drink.
They have cubbies made out of milk crates that they use for stuff that would be left on the floor or tables and for school homework type items.
They have used this system for years and when we go camping, we all know which items belong to his family because their camp chairs, hot dog roasters and even fishing poles are all in their rainbow of colors.
They've also bought carabiners in their colors to attach things and backpacks, fanny packs and water bottles over the years.
It is funny how even down to utensils for camping come in plastic colors. My kids are all getting older now but this is a fun way to give kids ownership and responsibility for their things.
If something doesn't come in their color, they bought the sticky labels that you click raised letter into plastic, in all their kids colors. They use their color label and put their name on items.
Fun idea! My youngest just told me that she is going to use this idea when she has kids.
We did that growing up too (my color was pink)!!! It really was the best system! I have sort of tried to do it with a few of our boys' things, but I haven't been consistent.
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