I don’t know about you, but my family can easily slip into complete chaos if we are not well organized. With three kids and a husband who all have their own things going on, a dog, a career, extended family, and all of my side hustles and goals, it can be extremely difficult to keep track of everything and ensure we are all aware of what each other has going on and when.
As my kids have grown older and started making plans of their own, driving, working, playing sports, etc., I have increasingly found it more difficult to ensure we are all on the same page and no one has set expectations that just cannot be met. As a result, I have tried many different apps, bulletin boards, group messages, etc., to keep us organized.
What I have found works best for my family, in particular, is actually a combination of different tools. You see, here’s the thing, most of our kids and many of our spouses just can’t be relied on to always check and update something just because Mama asks them to. I know you know what I’m talking about!
For our family, we use a family organizer app as our primary collaboration tool and we also keep a dry erase calendar on our refrigerator that I always try to keep updated with any appointments we have. This way, if someone doesn’t check the app, I know they will have no choice but to see these important scheduled events every time their hungry little selves go to raid our refrigerator.
You can find dry erase refrigerator calendars almost anywhere. I am an Amazon junkie so I ordered mine from them, of course. There’s just something about being able to shop for anything you want online and have it delivered right to you… ahhh, heaven!
There are MANY family organizer apps out there to choose from, and with all families having different needs, it’s important to choose what fits for you. So I compiled a list below of a few of my favorites to help you out!
(Please note: Neither myself or Columbia Mom are associated with any of the apps or app developers below and we do not receive any profit from providing this list to you. This is simply a list of my personal favorite family organization apps.)
Cozi Family Organizer
Cozi Family Organizer is available on both the Apple and Android app stores. This one is my favorite and the one I use currently. It allows your family to each have their own login and access the app from any mobile device or a computer. This app has everything we need; calendar (with reminders and the ability to email an agenda), shopping lists, to-do lists, recipes, and meal planner. There is even a family journal!
Best of all, the basic version is FREE and it works with Alexa, which is a great plus for us!
Calendar – Family Organizer
This app is very much like the Cozi app and is available in Apple and Android app stores. It allows you to create a family calendar and assign family members to events. You can sync your schedule across devices and integrate your shared calendar events.
It provides a daily journal and to-dos with reminders. It also provides the ability to create a shared shopping list and other checklists. You can even personalize the app with your own background photos. For an ad-free experience, unlimited storage, and premium wallpapers, you can upgrade to a premium subscription for only $1.99/month.
FamilyWall – Family Organizer
This is another great app that I love which is also available in both Apple and Android app stores. This app has a beautiful user-friendly design and provides your family with a shared calendar, grocery lists and any other lists you need. It also boasts real-time locator services, secure messenger, and a shared photo/video album.
This app also offers a premium package for $4.99/month which provides you with the ability to sync your Google and Outlook calendars, plan meals ahead for the week, receive safe zone notifications when loved ones are arriving or leaving places you have specified.
TimeTree – Shared Calendar
This app is also FREE and available on both the Apple and Android app stores. The primary purpose of this app is to provide a place where everyone’s schedule can be kept in one calendar. It also provides the ability to communicate with others within the app through chat rooms that are available with each calendar event.
CURAGO Family Calendar
Available on Apple and Android app stores, this FREE app is awesome for keeping all of your family members schedules in one location with a nice user interface. It allows you to customize your themes and events, attach photos, lists, and comments to events as well! This app also provides a great list management tool for all of the family to share any type of list you need to create. Curago even provides the weather for your current location.
Regardless of what app or method you choose, keeping your family organized will always have its challenges.
