My grandkids live with us now, 10,11,12 I tried to organize everything

First don't forget wall and ceiling space( example ceilings can hold airplanes hanging on a sting) put shelves on the walls and above windows and door frames. Great for collection or treasured toys not always played with.

This is a tough one, especially if you don't have a lot of room. But the kids are pretty big, so maybe you can enlist their help in getting organized? Have them help figure out how to organize their stuff. Maybe a designated spot for each of them to keep their bookbag? And it helps to have a basket for the dozens of papers (permission slips, report cards, teacher notes, PTA notices, etc.) they bring home from school, and that will have to be returned, or marked on your calendar, etc.

This might be out there in left field but my first and second thoughts were these.

It might be time to rent a storage unit close. Not a huge one but just big enough for the overflow. So each week the kids can "exchange" toys/books, etc. Then the next it happens again.

The second thought was to downsize. I can assume this was a sudden event and you weren't prepared. If I am wrong, I am sorry. But a family meeting to discuss what to do, letting the kids be involved, might help. You could lay out the issues, and several options. Let the kids help. This will make them feel included and they won't feel like "we are the problem" but more "we can help".

I hope this helps.

Kids are messy but at that age they are old enough to be responsible for their own space. You just need to teach them. Spend a weekend organizing their room(s) and label if necessary. Find a home for everything and have a 10 minute tidy up before bed every night. Book bags and homework packed and ready to go for the next day, laundry in the hamper, shoes put away, outfits picked out for following day, toys put away. Start giving them chores - take out the trash, vaccum a room or two, set the table for dinner, wash dinner dishes, etc. Make a chart and have them rotate. No chores = no priviledges, no tv or computer games, etc. My parents taught us everything - my brother can iron adress shirt and sew on a button (or his tent), better than most people I know - he can cook a gourmet meal and clean the house. I know how to change the tire, change oil in the car and other "manly" activities. You can do this, just be patient and consistent.

Don't panic, One step at a time, It is nice to have people come and stay, but when they move in with you the initial euphoria soon dulls. You all have to be able to learn to live together. Things will never be the same again, that quiet place you had is no more! BUT You will have to give them a few house rules, and say , It will help you be able to give them some time, and be able to enjoy them and embrace the new life you are all starting together. Hopefully, they will take it onboard, and everyone will gain from the experience............... Good Luck!

Use baskets. Each child should have his own.

those large storage bins work great for things like this and you can find them in a fabric as well as places like Home Goods, Marshalls, even Walmart and Dollar Tree

Maybe make a recessed bookcase between 2 wall studs to handle the books. Can you create a mudroom area for hanging bookbags, coats, shoes, boots etc. near the door they come into the house

Make an area in the garage for sports stuff, a few bins, some wall hanging area above them.

As to the toys, weed out the broken ones, and maybe give each child a bin and make them responsible for putting them away before bedtime.

If you have a lot of stuffed toys, hang a shelf all around the top of the room, to put them up but still visable.

Closets, hang double rods, put a shoe bin for each child. Use the top shelf for out of season clothing storage using crates like milk crates. Maybe create a color code for each child.

If you don't train them now to clean up, it will be hopeless once their teens.