As a school-based occupational therapy assistant, I’m constantly moving between classrooms, therapy spaces, and sometimes even different school buildings. Over the years, I’ve tried just about every bag, tote, and organizer imaginable.
People often ask what I actually use to carry all of my therapy supplies, so today I thought I’d share what’s worked best for me.
The answer?
I use both a therapy cart and Hulken bags.
My Therapy Cart Stays at School
I work in two schools that are connected, so my rolling therapy cart stays there full-time. I keep it stocked with the activities and supplies I use most often, which means I don’t have to unload and reload everything every day.
Having everything organized and ready to go saves a lot of time and makes it easy to head to my next student without wondering if I forgot something.
An Unexpected Benefit
One of my favorite memories involving my therapy cart had nothing to do with organization.
I had a second-grade student who loved helping me push the cart over to my other school at the end of the day. Since he would be attending that school the following year, it became a fun way to help him get familiar with the building before the transition.
He would proudly push the cart part of the way, then climb on top for a ride the rest of the trip. It became part of our routine and something we both looked forward to.
Sometimes the best therapy moments happen when you’re simply walking down the hallway.
It Even Doubles as a Chair
If you’ve ever worked in classrooms, you know that finding a place to sit isn’t always easy.
One unexpected bonus of my therapy cart is that it makes a surprisingly sturdy seat when I need one in a pinch. It has probably saved my knees more times than I can count!
My Hulken Bag Goes Everywhere Else
When I need to transport supplies between home and school, bring materials to meetings, or carry a large Amazon delivery inside, I reach for my medium silver Hulken bag.
Mine gets plenty of attention rolling through the hallways. It’s bright silver, easy to spot, rolls quietly, and glides effortlessly—even when it’s packed full.
Here’s what mine usually looks like after a delivery.
(Insert photo here.)
My Favorite Organization Tip
Instead of throwing everything into one giant bag, I organize smaller tote bags inside my Hulken.
Each smaller bag is filled with materials for a specific student, activity, or therapy group.
That way I can simply pull out one bag instead of digging through a mountain of supplies.
This one change has probably saved me hours over the course of a school year.
I Also Own the Large Hulken
Yes…I have two.
The large Hulken has become one of those items I find myself using for everything.
When my daughter moved into her college dorm, it was perfect for hauling boxes, bedding, and supplies.
In fact, she liked it so much that she started using it to bring all of her dirty laundry home on weekends.
I eventually had to buy her a different laundry bag because I wanted my Hulken back!
It’s Perfect for Scrapbook Retreats
If you’ve ever been to a scrapbook retreat, you know how much stuff we bring.
Paper.
Albums.
Tools.
Embellishments.
Storage containers.
The large Hulken works almost like a wagon. It folds flat in my car, and once I get where I’m going, I open it up and load several bags inside. Even when it’s packed full, it still rolls easily. My medium Hulken is light enough that I can lift it in and out of the car when it’s filled with therapy supplies, while the large one is my go-to for heavier or bulkier loads.
No more carrying multiple heavy bags or making several trips from the car.
Why I Like Using Both
I’ve found that each serves a different purpose.
Therapy Cart
- Stays stocked at school
- Easy to move between classrooms
- Great mobile therapy station
- Doubles as a classroom seat
- Creates opportunities for student involvement
Medium Hulken
- Daily therapy supplies
- Amazon deliveries
- Meetings and trainings
- Materials traveling between home and school
Large Hulken (Directly from Hulken.com)
- College move-in days
- Laundry (if your kids borrow it!)
- Scrapbook retreats
- Large supply hauls
- Anything heavy or bulky
My Final Thoughts
After nearly 30 years working in schools, I’ve learned that staying organized makes my day so much easier.
Neither my therapy cart nor my Hulken bag is something I need to do my job, but both have become tools that save me time, reduce the number of trips I make, and help keep everything organized.
Sometimes the simplest organizational tools end up making the biggest difference.
If you’re looking for practical ways to transport therapy materials, classroom supplies, or craft projects, both have earned a permanent place in my routine.
What do you use?
I’d love to hear your favorite organization tip or the one item you couldn’t work without. Share it in the comments!
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