How Should You Store Kids’ School Gear Between School Years?

To store kids’ school gear between academic years, sort items by category, remove food and prohibited materials, clean and dry everything and pack eligible belongings in clearly labeled containers. Keep the supplies needed first near the front so they are easier to retrieve before the next school year.

A storage unit may help families organize replaceable uniforms, sports equipment and ordinary school supplies during summer break. However, school projects that cannot be replaced, sensitive student records and prohibited items should remain out of the unit.

School Gear Storage Checklist

What Kids’ Gear Can You Consider Storing?

Eligible school and activity items may include clean, dry and replaceable belongings such as:

• Out-of-season school uniforms
• Sports uniforms
• Cleats and athletic shoes
• Sports bags
• Balls
• Baseball bats
• Hockey or lacrosse pads
• Replaceable art supplies
• Empty backpacks
• Clean lunchboxes
• Empty pencil cases
• Rulers and pencils
• Unused paper
• Empty binders
• Replaceable books
• Freestanding sports racks

Every item must comply with the rental agreement and facility policies.

Do not store food, liquids, plants, hazardous materials, medication, sensitive records or belongings that cannot be replaced.

How Should You Sort Kids’ Gear?

Begin by creating five categories:

1. Store for the next school year
2. Continue using during summer
3. Donate
4. Return to the school, team or organization
5. Recycle or discard

Check whether uniforms and equipment will still fit when the next season begins. Children grow quickly, so storing clothing they are unlikely to wear again may use space unnecessarily.

Review school-supply lists before keeping partially used materials. An inventory can help you identify what is already available without assuming every item will be required next year.

This is also a good opportunity to involve children in age-appropriate decisions. They can help match equipment, empty backpacks and identify supplies they still use.

What Must Be Removed Before Storage?

School and activity bags tend to collect items that cannot go into a storage unit.

Check every pocket and compartment for:

• Food
• Candy or gum
• Drink bottles
• Liquids
• Hand sanitizer
• Medication
• Plants or seeds
• Glue
• Paint
• Cleaning products
• Aerosol products
• Batteries
• Identification
• Money
• Jewelry
• School records
• Library books
• School-issued devices

Return borrowed or school-owned items to the appropriate school, library, coach or organization.

Review the Public Storage storage policies and your rental agreement before move-in.

How Should You Store Sports Equipment?

Clean and dry athletic equipment according to its manufacturer’s instructions before packing it.

Uniforms and Fabric Gear

Wash and dry uniforms, socks, practice clothes and washable equipment bags. Fold them into labeled containers organized by child, sport and size.

Do not store damp uniforms or fabric gear with an odor or visible residue.

Cleats and Athletic Shoes

Remove dirt and grass, then clean the shoes according to their care instructions. Allow the interiors and exteriors to dry completely.

Use clean tissue or appropriate shoe forms when the manufacturer recommends them. Avoid placing heavy equipment on top of footwear.

Pads and Helmets

Clean pads and helmets according to manufacturer guidance. Do not use cleaning products or methods that could affect the materials.

Allow each item to dry, and avoid placing heavy boxes on helmets or structured padding. Before the next season, inspect equipment and review manufacturer or league guidance about continued use or replacement.

Balls and Other Equipment

Wipe dirt from balls, bats, rackets and similar equipment. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding inflation and off-season storage.

Keep smaller accessories together in labeled containers. Use a freestanding sports-equipment rack when appropriate, but do not attach organizers to facility walls without permission.

Can You Store Children’s Art and School Projects?

Consider whether a project can be replaced before placing it in storage. Artwork, awards and projects with significant personal meaning may be difficult or impossible to recreate and should remain at home.

For replaceable paper projects:

• Remove staples or attachments that may affect nearby pages.
• Use clean folders or flat document boxes.
• Avoid folding oversized paper when possible.
• Keep the container away from heavy objects.
• Label it with the child’s name, grade and school year.

Photograph or scan projects you do not plan to keep. A digital copy may allow you to remember the work without storing every original.

Do not place sensitive student records, report cards, identification documents or other private information in the unit.

Can You Store Science-Fair Projects?

Science-fair boards may be eligible after all project materials have been removed and the board has been cleaned.

Before packing a project, check for:

• Food
• Soil
• Plants or seeds
• Liquids
• Chemicals
• Batteries
• Magnets
• Electrical components
• Glass containers
• Medication
• Biological materials
• Unidentified substances

Remove prohibited components before storage. If the project depends on those materials, photograph it and follow local guidance for disposal instead of placing it in the unit.

A clean, dry display board may be stored flat or upright in a suitable container. Avoid putting heavy boxes on it.

How Should You Prepare Backpacks and Lunchboxes?

Empty every pocket, pouch and compartment. Small crumbs, forgotten snacks and partially filled bottles are easy to miss.

For backpacks:

1. Shake out debris.
2. Remove papers and personal information.
3. Clean the bag according to its care label.
4. Allow it to dry.
5. Loosely fill it with clean paper if shape support is needed.
6. Place it in a labeled container.

For lunchboxes:

1. Remove all food, containers and utensils.
2. Wash the interior and exterior as directed.
3. Check seams and pockets for crumbs.
4. Allow the lunchbox to dry completely.
5. Store it open or closed according to the manufacturer’s guidance.

Do not store food, beverages or other perishables inside backpacks or lunchboxes.

What School Supplies Can You Store?

Eligible, ordinary school supplies may include:

• Pencils
• Rulers
• Unused paper
• Empty folders
• Empty binders
• Index cards
• Notebooks without sensitive information
• Clean scissors packed appropriately
• Empty pencil cases
• Replaceable calculators prepared according to their instructions

Do not store glue, paint, liquids, aerosol products, cleaning supplies or leaking markers.

Review battery instructions before storing a calculator or electronic accessory. Remove the battery when directed and confirm applicable facility rules.

What About School-Issued Electronics?

Return school-owned laptops, tablets, calculators, hotspots, chargers and other equipment according to the school’s instructions.

Do not place a school-issued device in a storage unit simply because it will not be used during summer. The device may contain student information, belong to the school or require specific care.

Personally owned electronics may be eligible, but keep devices containing sensitive information or items that cannot be replaced with you. Follow the manufacturer’s battery and storage instructions.

How Should You Label and Organize Everything?

Label containers by child, category and season. Examples include:

• Jordan — Soccer — Fall
• Maya — Winter Uniforms
• Elementary Art Supplies
• Backpacks and Pencil Cases
• Baseball Equipment
• Next School Year

Number each container and record it in an inventory on your phone. Include the general contents and location in the unit.

Color coding may also help when storing items for multiple children. Assign each child or activity a different label color.

How Should You Arrange the Storage Unit?

Arrange belongings according to when the family will need them.

• Keep fall uniforms and school supplies near the front.
• Place winter sports equipment farther back.
• Store heavier containers on the bottom.
• Keep helmets, artwork and lightweight projects away from heavy boxes.
• Leave labels facing the aisle.
• Use freestanding shelving when appropriate.
• Leave a walkway when space permits.
• Keep an inventory outside the unit.
• Avoid unstable stacks.

Do not attach shelving, racks or hooks to facility walls without permission.

What Size Storage Unit Do You Need?

The right size depends on the number of children, activities and equipment you plan to store.

Before renting:

1. Create an inventory.
2. Measure sports bags, racks and bulky equipment.
3. Count boxes and bins.
4. Include any freestanding shelving.
5. Allow space to retrieve fall items first.
6. Consider whether family belongings will share the unit.

Use the Public Storage Size Guide to compare available options. Actual sizes, layouts and features may vary, so inspect the specific unit when possible.

Is Climate-Controlled Storage Worth Considering?

Climate-controlled storage may be worth considering for eligible paper projects, books, uniforms, electronics and other materials that can react to temperature or humidity changes.

These units are designed to help maintain more consistent temperature or humidity levels than standard storage. Conditions may still vary, and climate control does not guarantee that belongings will remain unchanged.

Public Storage offers climate-controlled storage at more than 4,300 facilities. Availability varies by location and unit.

How Do Month-to-Month Rentals Fit the School Calendar?

Public Storage offers month-to-month rentals, which may work for families storing eligible belongings during summer or between activity seasons.

Your rental continues until you complete the required move-out process. Review the billing date, rate and move-out instructions before renting. Rental rates are reviewed regularly and may increase over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you store school supplies in a storage unit?

Eligible dry supplies such as pencils, rulers, paper and empty binders may be stored. Remove glue, paint, liquids, food, batteries and sensitive information.

Can backpacks and lunchboxes go into storage?

Clean, dry and empty backpacks and lunchboxes may be eligible. Check every compartment for food, drinks, medication and personal records.

Can children’s artwork be stored?

Replaceable artwork may be packed in suitable containers. Keep projects that cannot be replaced at home, and do not store sensitive student records.

Can science-fair projects be stored?

A clean, dry display board may be eligible. Remove food, plants, liquids, chemicals, batteries and other prohibited project components.

Can sports uniforms and equipment be stored?

Clean, dry uniforms and eligible equipment may be stored. Follow the equipment manufacturer’s cleaning and off-season instructions.

Can school-issued laptops be stored?

Return school-owned devices according to the school’s instructions rather than placing them in a storage unit.

Should you use climate-controlled storage for school gear?

It may be worth considering for eligible paper, textiles, electronics and other materials that react to temperature or humidity changes. Availability and conditions vary.

How long can school gear remain in storage?

Public Storage rentals are month-to-month. Review the rental agreement, billing terms and move-out process before deciding how long to keep the unit.

Organize Kids’ Gear for the Next School Year

Between school years, sort carefully, clean and dry eligible belongings and screen every bag or project for prohibited materials. Keep sensitive records and items that cannot be replaced at home.

Public Storage offers month-to-month rentals at more than 4,600 facilities nationwide. Find Public Storage near you and compare available unit sizes and features before renting.

Public Storage rental agreements prohibit storing property with a total value of more than $5,000 per unit.