In 1:1 classrooms, teachers use iPad Charging Stations for the Classroom. Students need to be able to access their device and return it in an organized system that requires simple labeling of the iPads and their charger cords with numbers to match each desk. iPad classroom storage ideas do not need to take up a lot of space.

Classroom iPads can be stored and charged in DIY charging stations, iPad storage carts, and charging racks. It is easy to create a cheap DIY storage rack for iPads, all you need are inexpensive bakeware racks, dish racks, or pot lid storage racks. They require no assembly, just pop in your iPads into the slots.

I love to find awesome classroom decor ideas. As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a commission for purchases using my links. This list below has different storage options for classroom iPads. The most affordable iPad storage and charging stations are at the bottom of this list.

Secured iPad Charging Stations for the Classroom

Large storage charger cart for iPads: This mobile locking cart is lockable you that you will have the option of locking up the iPads when you don’t want the kids to have them.

Small iPad charging cart: This charging cart fits eight iPads. It is sturdy and effective for a tabletop locking storage station. The iPad size can be as large as 17 inches.

Belkin charger stand for iPads and laptops: This Belkin Charging Station holds full size iPads with the full multi-piece cases with room to spare. Since the partitions are fixed, the iPads are kept fully upright. It holds iPads as well as Dell XPS laptops.

Affordable iPad Charging Stations for the Classroom

iPad organizer dock: This USB charging station can charge up to ten iPads. Keep it on a library shelf or a tabletop in your classroom. The removable dividers fit in snug and can accommodate large kindles with thick rubber covers.

Metal storage rack: Kitchen racks for pot lids and plates can added to your DIY charging station for iPads. This rack was added onto an old tablet charging station to hold up the tablets after the original tabs had broken out. These pot lid storage racks are used to store iPads in the classroom. They work perfect to keep them organized and fit the iPads even with their cases. 

Use a metal mesh organizer: These iPads, in their thick rubber cases, are being stored in a simple metal mesh organizer. The frame of it has been zip tied to the shelf for stability. It can hold five iPads in cases. This other wire mesh organizer is used to store mini iPads, two in each slot.

Wooden peg racks: Bamboo dish racks can be placed in deep containers or a rolling cart, to store classroom iPads or to make a DIY iPad charger cart. The bamboo racks on their own are cheapest and lightest way to store iPads. But the addition of a cart on wheels, makes your charging station mobile.

Store iPads in a classroom mailbox sorter: A strong wooden classroom mailbox can do more than store papers and worksheets. Teachers are using them to store classroom iPads, even ones with cases on them. For safety, the mailbox itself can be kept in a locked cupboard. There are cheaper cardboard mailboxes available, but they will fall apart. Only the wooden construction ones should be used for any kind of iPad organizing and storage.

Use a pan or lid organizer for storing iPads: This metal organizer is usually for frying pans and storing container lids, however, teachers use organizers like it for storing their classroom iPads. They are available in pairs and each one holds eight iPads. The metal organizer can be placed in a classroom 3-tier trolley cart to make it a mobile charger cart for your classroom iPads. See recommendations for roller carts in this blog post.

A light-up charging dock for iPads: Sometimes students can forget to unplug the iPads from charging. Using a charging dock, like this one, that lights up when a device is plugged in is helpful for you to prevent over-charging the iPads.

Pearington charging station for iPads: This charging station with USB ports is great charging iPads in the classroom. The dividers are wide enough for iPads to charge with their cases on.

Prosumers Choice iPad universal charging station: A first grade teacher used to keep the classroom ipads all in two big bins which was chaotic because iPads stacked on top of each other and chargers were getting squished and broken constantly. Now with this iPad universal charging station, no chargers are being broken and her students are getting to their iPads easily. It also fits the bulky cases little kids use.

Store iPads in bamboo peg racks with adjustable pegs: The pegs in this peg rack can be taken out and moved to other slots for the i-Pads to fit how you want. Cords can fit in the tray below.

How to Protect The iPads From Scuffs and Scratches

To prevent scratches on your iPad screens, use screen protectors. Keep the iPads in rubber cases to give them some protection from spills and falls. For many of the kitchen storage racks, you can make them more cushioned for iPads by putting down lines of hot glue along the parts that the iPads will touch. Put the glue along the base to prevent scratching on the iPads.

How to Organize the Classroom iPads

Be sure to color code your iPads with assorted colorful tapes or number stickers to have an affordable way to match the storage slots to the charging cords. Here is a wide assortment of washi tapes in different colors that you can use. Colorful cases and charging cords can aso be used for color coding your iPads.

Use multiple types of organizers to maximize your storage capabilty: This kindergarten teacher chose to have two different set-ups for her iPads. For charging the iPads, she would use this USB charging station, and pair it with these bamboo peg racks to hold a lot of iPads.

How to Store iPad Charger Cords

Charger cords for your classroom iPads can be stored individually in clear containers that you can label with student numbers. I do not like to mix up cords for devices especially if all of the cords look the same. Keeping them in clear containers with self-locking lids helps to keep track of cords and provides handy storage for them.

Power Strip Surge Protectors for Classroom iPads

Use a 28 Power Outlet Surge Protector: This large power strip is great for schools that do not offer much outlets for classroom iPads. Use it for your device collection where all iPads need to be fully charged before reset. This power strip would get hot so I recommend that you switch it off for a few hours before charging the next batch of iPads. Also, charge them during the day and turn off the power strip on weeknights and weekends.

A surge protector can fit neatly in a cable management box. These boxes are used to hide the charging hub and cords to give your charging area a neater look. I recommend this box set that comes with three boxes of different sizes to fit any iPad power outlet surge protector hub. See the picture above with the lids on the left, and the three sizes of boxes on the right.

If you are looking for a good charging port hub for your iPad charging station, this free standing hub has six vertically stacked ports.

I hope you have been inspired by these ideas for iPad charging stations for the classroom. If you need tips for storing other technology devices, like classroom laptops and headphones, I have put together different storage and organization ideas in this blog post.

More DIY iPad Charging Stations for the Classroom

Store classroom iPads in bamboo peg racks in your classroom: A teacher used these wooden peg racks to organize all of her students’ AAC devices while they charge for easy access throughout the day.

More ideas for how to store students’ iPads in the classroom will be added as I find them. If you’ve discovered a new idea for classroom iPad storage, I’d love for you to share about it in the comments. Teachers are the ones who innovate and think up the most creative solutions for their classrooms.

You can find more blog posts about charging and organizing storage for these classroom devices: Kindles, cell phones, Chromebooks, tablets, laptops, and earphones. Click on any device listed to take you to its blog post.

If you have any questions, you can ask me anything in the comments below.