family command center

Simple Family Command Center Ideas For Your Busy Family

This post is all about family command center ideas.

family command center

family Command Center

Setting up a family command center is a total game-changer when it comes to calming the chaos of a busy family. We’ve all been there…you’re already running late, your running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to find your car keys. You finally find your car keys, but wait, where’s your kid’s tablet!? Then you find the tablet…battery is dead. Or you’re rushing out to work and daycare/school drop off, and your kid’s backpack is nowhere to be found. It’s a TERRIBLE way to start your day! That’s where a family command center comes to the rescue!

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What is a Family Command Center?

A Family Command Center is a central location for important family information and items that you need to access on a daily basis. The purpose of a family command center is to help busy families organize their schedules and make getting out of the door a much less chaotic process!

What Should Be In A Family Command Center?

What is included in your family command center will vary family-to-family, but typically it will include things such as:

  • Family calendar
  • Charging station
  • A place for car keys
  • A place for incoming/outgoing mail
  • Dinner menu for the week
  • Restaurant kit for toddlers

Where Should A Family Command Center Be Located?

You’ll want to set up your family command center in a high traffic area where your family passes through each day. Kitchens, mudrooms, and entry ways are all great places to set up your command center. It has items that you’re grabbing on your way out the door, or a place where you’re wanting to place things when you come back in the house, so you’ll want it to be somewhere that you pass when coming and going.

How To Set Up Your Family Command Center

1: Decide where you want to set up your family command center

2: Clear the space so you have room to set up all of the command center necessities

3: Put some sort of table in the space, then add in all of your organization products! (Details to below)

Digital Family Command Center

I am a big fan of digital family command centers. Not everything has to be digital, but I personally love having a central digital display for your command center.

Skylight Calendar

Skylight Calendar: 15 inch Digital Calendar & Chore Chart, Smart Touchscreen Interactive Display for Family Schedules – Wall Mount Included
  • The All-In-One Smart Family Calendar: Finally, a WiFi-connected digital calendar + planner touchscreen display that will get the whole family organized and running smoothly. It’s…
  • Quick Set-Up: Simply plug it in, connect to Wi-Fi, and sync your calendars – all your events will automatically populate and sync. Add events or chores directly on the device or…
  • Beautiful and Intuitive HD Smart Display: 15” touchscreen can be mounted on the wall or displayed on its stand. The wall mount or tabletop option make this the perfect daily…
  • Chore Chart and Meal Planning: Add, edit, and easily check off chores throughout the day. Encourage healthy habits and autonomy with the interactive Chore Chart that transforms…
  • Download the Free App to Stay Informed From Anywhere: Access and manage everything on your Skylight Calendar through the mobile app. Add chores and tasks to the list on the go.

This Skylight Calendar is super popular among families for their command center. This one touchscreen device houses your family calendar, color coded chore charts, and meal plan. It’s compatible with Google Calendar, iCloud Calendar, Outlook Calendar, Cozi, and Yahoo.

Echo Show 15

The Echo Show is another great option for a digital family command center. Keep the location of your family command center in mind when selecting the Echo Show, because this device goes beyond organizing your family’s life. With the Echo Show, you can also watch shows (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more.) You can also pull up your Ring Security Camera, and most other smart devices can be displayed on the screen as well. Since this device does SO much, I wouldn’t recommend tucking it away in a mudroom because you likely wouldn’t use it to it’s full potential in a location like that.

More Family Command Center Ideas:

File Holders

X-cosrack Hanging Wall File Organizer, 4-Tier Wall Mounted Metal Kids Bookshelf with Tag Slot, Wall File Holder Rack Floating Book Shelves for Kids Nursery Toddler Office Home, Black
  • 【Perfect wall hanging files organizer!】 X-cosrack 4-tier stackable & detachable hanging metal wall files make everything organizer in perfect way….
  • 【More ways to use】You can use this file holder on the desk, or hanging on the wall/door in any room of your home, work space or office. Wall…
  • 【Saving more space】Wall mounted bookshelf keep your space organized. Take full advantage of your vertical space and keep your desktop clear,also…

File Holders are an absolute must-have for your command center! I like this set because it comes with 4 holders at a great price, and allows your to label each holder. What each bin is used for will vary based on family, but some ideas include:

  • Incoming Mail
  • Outgoing Mail
  • School Papers
  • Adult Documents (i.e. if you have an appointment the next day and need to bring a specific form)
  • Instructions for babysitters/petsitters
  • Take Out Menus
  • Coloring books to take to restaurants

Toddler Chore Chart

toddler chore chart

Your family’s Command Center is a great place to put your child’s chore chart. Here at Mom-Thoughts, we have a great interactive chore chart for toddlers. Get yours HERE. Instant Download, with instructions for use.

HOW TO USE THE TODDLER CHORE CHART PRINTABLE

1) Laminate The Chore Chart, Chore Cut Outs and Days Of The Week (Grab these laminating sheets from Amazon. No laminating sheet required)

2) Cut Out The Daily Chore Options

3) Cut Out The Days Of The Week

4) Place Velcro Dots on the backs of the cut outs, and however many daily chores you want to include on the the daily “To Do” and “Done!” columns of the Chore Chart

5) Each day, select the chores that need to be done, and Velcro them on the “To Do” column of the Chore Chart

6) Once done, your toddler gets to move the Chore Cut Out over to the “Done!” column

7) If they complete all of their daily chores, they get the reward! (Easy Examples: A special snack, an extra book at bedtime, stay up 10 minutes later, watch their favorite movie, etc.)

Calendar/Planner/Cork Board

3PCS Magnetic 12″ x 16″ Small White Board, Wood Framed Dry Erase Boards, Wall Mounted Whiteboard – Weekly Planner Board, Monthly Planner Board, Linen Bulletin Cork Board for Office,School,Home,Kitchen
  • 📆PERFECT DESIGN — Each of the three magnetic plates can be used for different things. Weekly calendar boards allow you to write down your weekly schedule, monthly calendar…
  • 📆MATERIAL & SIZE — Wood framed + strong magnetic board. We use wood as the frame to make the whole board look more retro, more textured, and not easy to scratch your fingers….
  • 📆PACKAGE INCLUDE — 1Pc dry erase weekly planner board , 1Pc dry erase monthly planner board and 1Pc linen bulletion cork board. Package including 12pcs magnetic nails (4pcs…

If a digital family command center isn’t your thing, that’s totally fine! This set is a great option because for an affordable price you get a: Monthly Dry Erase Calendar, Dry Erase Weekly Planner (I like using this for a meal planner), and a cork board. This set also works great if you have a narrow wall that you’re using for your command center.

Refrigerator Command Center

Hivillexun Magnetic Dry Erase Calendar Whiteboard Set (3-Pack) for Refrigerator, Wall, and Fridge Organization with Monthly, Weekly, and Daily Notepads. Comes with 8 Markers and 1 Eraser
  • 【Thickened No-Slip Magnet】Durable and Tear-Resistant Design – Say goodbye to flimsy calendars that easily fall down. The magnetic design of this refrigerator calendar stays…
  • 【Effortless Writing and Erasing】The Hivillexun Fridge Calendar is made of premium PP and PET material, ensuring that it can be easily wiped clean without any residue. The…
  • 【Easily Track Your Month】Are you looking for an efficient way to organize your life and plan ahead? Look no further! Our magnetic monthly planner serves as a clear and visual…

If you want to set up a command center on your refrigerator, I love this magnetic set that includes a monthly calendar, weekly planner, and a daily to do list, which can also be used as a shopping list. A shopping list is another great thing to include in your family command center, so each member of your household can add to it throughout the week.

Key Hooks

Sale
Nekon Mail Holder for Wall – Rustic Mail Organizer with Key Hooks for Hallway Kitchen Farmhouse Decor – Letter Sorter Made of Paulownia wood with Floating Shelf, (16.5” x 9.1” x 3.4”)
  • ORGANIZE CORRESPONDENCE for the whole family and keep keys at your fingertips with this beautiful farmhouse mail organizer and key rack by Nekon. It is thoughtfully designed to…
  • LARGE MAIL ORGANIZER wall mounts in your foyer, kitchen or mudroom, keeping countertops uncluttered. Two keyhole brackets allow neat, sleek flush mounting and maximum anti-tip…
  • PAULOWNIA WOOD KEY ORGANIZER Our mail organizer is made of paulownia wood and equipped with metal double hooks. Double hooks can hang more items than one does, playing a greater…

For your key hooks, you can absolutely just use command strip hooks, but this shelf option is great because not only does it add an element of design to your command center, but it also includes a place for you to put mail, or your wallet, or other documents.

Charging Stations

In todays day in age, charging stations are an absolute must-have. The size of your family, and just how many devices are used on a regular basis will determine which charging station is best for you. But here are some of the most popular (and for good reason!)

CREATIVE DESIGN Charging Station

CREATIVE DESIGN Charging Station for Multiple Devices,50W 6 Ports Charging Dock with 6 Cables Compatible with Cellphone,Tablet, Kindle, Apple Watch and Other Electronic
  • All-In-One Charging Station: Our charging station comes with 3 Lightning cables, 2 Type-C cables, 1 Micro USB cable, an apple watch charger holder (watch charging cable is not…
  • Safety Charging Dock: 6 USB ports can charge 6 devices simultaneously with a max output of 2.4A which amounts to up to 80% faster charging than other regular chargers with 2A or…
  • Sturdy & Durable: Our multi charger station is made of high-quality flame retardant ABS material, anti-slip rubber surface protects your devices from accidentally slipping off….

30 Port USB Charging Station

Charging Station for Multiple Devices, 150W 30 Ports Phone Charging Station with Fast Charging, USB Multiple Charging Station Ipad Charging Station for Travel Home Office Party
  • 【30 in 1 USB Charging Station 】If you find yourself needing to routinely charge more than 20 devices at once, this 30-Ports USB charging station is an exceptional charging…
  • 【Certified Safe】This upgraded charging station for multiple devices equipped with temperature sensor and safety system to offer enhanced protection for you and your connected…
  • 【High-Speed multi charger station】Charges up to 30 USB powered devices simultaneously, especially support 15 iPads at once. Rapid charging port provides power up to 5V 2.4A of…
  • 【Wide Compatibility】The chargers for multiple devices compatible with all iPhone and Android phones, iPad, earphone, kindles, etc. Can be used at the home, office, school,…
  • 【What You Get】USB charging hub package included 30 ports charger station organizer, detachable power cord, welcome guide, worry-free 18-month warranty and 24/7 customer…

Power Strip Tower (USB + 3 Prong)

Sale
Power Strip Tower Surge Protector, SUPERDANNY Desktop Charging Station, 10 Ft Extension Cord, 9 Outlets, 4 USB Ports, 1080 Joules, 3-Prong, Grounded, Multiple Protections for Home, Office, Black
  • 【Multi-Outlets】This worldwide voltage outlet extender features 9 AC outlets and 4 smart-charging USB ports (max 2.4A/port, 4.5A shared) to power multiple devices like for…
  • 【Guardian of Valued Devices】To protect you and your valuable electronic devices, this universal power socket has advanced multifunctional protection technologies including…
  • 【Master Switch】This energy-saving power strip tower with USB ports has a master switch (wireless charging not compatible) on the top, easier for you to manage all connected…

Bamboo Charging Station

Bamboo Charging Station for Multiple Devices, Alltripal Wood Desktop Docking Station 7-Port Multi-Charger Organizer Fast USB Charger Compatible with iPhone, iPad, AirPods, iWatch, Cell Phone, Tablet
  • ➤【Declutter Your Desk & Simplify Charging】With our fast charging station. Designed to house 7 devices at once, this charging station can replace a box full of messy cables &…
  • ➤【Durable & Sustainable Bamboo Construction】Our USB charging station is crafted out of authentic bamboo shoots, a durable and eco-friendly alternative to plastic. The natural…
  • ➤【Suited For Charging Multiple Devices】The premium bamboo charging station comes with 7 USB charging ports, and is compatible with iPhones, iPads, Airpods, Android…

SUPERDANNY 6-Port USB Charger

SUPERDANNY 6-Port USB Charger, 40W 8A Mini USB Charging Station, Charging Station for Multiple Devices, 4ft Cable, Compatible with iPhone, iPad, Galaxy, Pixel, for Travel, Cruise, White
  • 【6-Port USB Charging Station】This multiple USB charger detects your devices automatically and delivers the fastest possible charge up to 2.4A per port, totally 8A/40W, for up…
  • 【Small But Powerful】Mini sized but features 40W charging output, this USB charging station for multiple devices satisfies most of your everyday charging need, for phones,…
  • 【Safe and Quiet】Our multi-USB charger station boasts all-round protection against short-circuit, over-current, over-voltage, and overheat, making it a reliable USB charging hub…

Now that you know what a family command center is, and what to include in your command center…go get started!

PRINTABLES MOMS ARE LOVING:

family command center ideas - sight word printables
FAMILY COMMAND CENTER - preschool and toddler printable bundle
daily learning calendar ad on family command center post
Inspired by preschool classrooms, this Daily Learning Calendar is a perfect way to start the day! It includes Days, Months, Dates, Season and Weather. Adding this to your toddler’s routine helps them develop recognition for before & after, and what comes next!

family command center