How to Make the Ultimate PTO Cart

If your PTO has ever hauled supplies from home, borrowed equipment from the school, or made multiple trips across campus to grab something from your car (or the school office), you know how helpful a dedicated storage solution can be.

One PTA leader decided it was time to solve that problem once and for all. Her volunteer team dreamed up their ideal mobile PTA cart—a sturdy, organized setup that could travel around campus and hold the supplies they use again and again.

After an inexpensive plastic drawer cart fell apart almost immediately, they upgraded to a heavy-duty rolling tool cart that could handle elevators, ramps, outdoor events, and plenty of mileage around school. Then they customized it with magnetic accessories and loaded it up with the supplies their team reaches for most often.

The result? A mobile PTO command center that keeps everything in one place—and makes event setup a whole lot easier. 

Expect to spend around $350–$500 to fully stock a PTO cart like this (plus the cost of the cart itself), depending on what you already have on hand and where you shop. And remember, you don't have to buy everything at once. Start with the basics and build your cart over time!

Start with a sturdy cart

Think of the outside of your cart as bonus storage space. The PTA chose a HUSKY rolling tool cart (Home Depot) for its durability and mobility. A sturdy metal cart also gave them an added bonus: the ability to attach magnetic accessories to the outside to keep frequently used items within easy reach without taking up valuable drawer space. Their exterior setup includes:

• Magnetic paper towel holder
• Magnetic trash can
• Cup holders
• Power strip
• File box
• Magnetic toys for kids who tag along to school
• A volunteer committee sign with a QR code
• Sport-Brella clipped to the handle for outdoor shade
• LED strip lighting around the sign for evening events

Photo: Lubna Dadabhoy, Institute of Knowledge Volunteer Committee, in Diamond Bar, Cal.

What to put in your PTO cart

The PTA organized its cart by category, making it easy for volunteers to find what they need without digging through one giant drawer.

Drawer 1: “Supplies”

This is the catch-all drawer for everyday tools, office supplies, personal-care items, and things volunteers are likely to need in a pinch. Think of it as place for those little things volunteers are always asking for during an event—the pen that disappeared, a charger, a Sharpie, or a Band-Aid.

• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Exact-o knife
• Box cutter
• Staple remover
• Boning tool
• Multi-head screwdriver
• Tape dispenser
• White-out tape
• Calculator
• Notepads
• Post-it notes
• Stapler and staples
• Extra-long measuring tape
• Push pins
• Paper clips
• Rubber bands
• Keys for the money box
• Gum and cough drops
• Common over-the-counter medicines
• Bandages and Neosporin
• Hand sanitizer
• Dry-erase marker and pad
• Android and iPhone chargers
• Markers
• Pencils and pens
• Sharpies
• Erasers
• Extra pencil lead

Drawer 2: “Adhesives”

Every PTO event seems to require something to stick something to something else (IYKYK). Keeping all of those options together makes setup much easier. PTO tip: Stock a variety of adhesives rather than relying on one type. Painter’s tape might work for a temporary sign, while mounting squares or a glue gun may be better for decorations.

• Double-sided tape gun and refills
• Packing tape gun
• Masking tape
• Electrical tape
• Duct tape
• Painter’s tape
• Foam tape
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Glue dots
• Mounting squares
• Mounting putty
• Wet glue
• E600 adhesive
• Extra boxes of tape
• Glue gun stand

Drawer 3: “Fasteners”

You may be surprised how often zip ties, clips, and binder clips come in handy at school events. Having several sizes on hand means fewer emergency trips to the store! This drawer is all about securing things in place, from decorations and signs to tablecloths and event equipment.

• Zip ties in multiple sizes
• Table clips
• Magnetic clip squares
• 260 balloons in clear, white, and black
• Clothespins
• Binder clips
• Fishing line
• String
• Metal wire
• Ziploc bags in multiple sizes
• Plastic snap clips
• Clamps

Drawer 4: “Events”

This drawer contains the items that are ready to grab when it's time to head out to an event. Consider creating your own “event essentials” drawer with the supplies you almost always need when volunteers are working a fundraiser, family night, or school activity.

• Volunteer badges
• Table cover
• Money box
• Aprons
• Balloon pump
• Manual balloon pumps

And one final PTO must-have: insurance. It may not fit in the cart, but it belongs on your back-to-school checklist. The right coverage can help protect your PTO/PTA and its volunteers from the unexpected—from accidents at events to other situations that could put your organization at risk. Before the school year gets too busy, make sure your group’s coverage is up to date and meets your needs. Check out PTO Today's comprehensive insurance coverage for PTO and PTA groups 

Make your cart work for your PTO

The best PTO cart isn't necessarily the one with the most stuff. It's the one stocked with the things your team actually uses. Start by thinking about the supplies you find yourself carrying from room to room, borrowing from the school, or buying at the last minute. Group similar items together, label each drawer, and keep frequently used supplies easy to access.

And don't forget the outside of the cart. Magnetic accessories, a power strip, signage, and other add-ons can turn a basic rolling cart into a true mobile command center.

For this PTA, the cart has become one less thing to worry about when event day arrives. Instead of asking, “Where is that?” or making another trip to Staples, volunteers can simply roll their supplies where they need them.

Have a PTO cart of your own? We'd love to see it! Share a photo and your best organization tips and tag @ptotoday on social! 

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