Toy Storage Made Simple

Do you get frustrated because your child’s toys are scattered all over the place?   Are toy pieces missing or broken because your child dumps them all into a big toy box?  Do you constantly admonish your child for not putting his toys away?  If any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone.  Toys seem to be the biggest organizing challenge for a mom.

The answer, to these problems, is to implement kid friendly storage solutions that make it easy for your child to find, use, and put his toys away.  The following guidelines will help you in choosing toy storage solutions that are kid friendly.

1. Convenience

Any storage product you choose should be easy for your child to access and use.  If a unit is too difficult to open or close, clean up will become a struggle.  Make sure that drawers and lids open easily.   If possible, remove lids so your child can easily reach in and get things.

2. Visibility

Use clear containers whenever possible.  Children need to be able to easily find what they are looking for and easily see where things should be put away.

Clear Plastic Box

Clear Plastic Storage Unit

3. Sturdiness

The containers you choose should be sturdy enough to handle daily wear and tear.  Choose products that can handle being dropped, bumped and slammed.

4. Affordability

Don’t spend a lot of money on organizing products for your child’s room.  Children outgrow toys and decorating themes quickly, so you don’t want to invest a lot of money in high-end products.  You can stretch your toy storage budget by using a variety of inexpensive items.  Check for bargains at dollar stores and thrift stores.   Think of creative ways to recycle a container.  And don’t forget to check around your home.  You may be able to use items you already have.

Plastic dishpans can be used as containers for blocks, trucks, dolls, etc.  Their shallow design makes them easy to use.  Dish pans can be placed on a shelving unit.

Dish Pan

A laundry basket can be used as a toy box or as a container for balls and outdoor toys.

Laundry Basket

Metal or plastic buckets can be use as containers for toys.  Place several of them in a row on a shelf for a pretty display.  Paint metal buckets to match the decor of your child’s room.  Your child can also use the bucket to collect toys during cleanup time.

Metal Bucket

Moving boxes or shoe boxes covered with contact paper are a very inexpensive storage solution.  Just make sure that the box is sturdy.  You might want to decorate the box with pictures of the toy category (cars, trains, dolls) cut from magazines, children’s books or old greeting cards.  Then cover the entire box with clear contact paper for added strength.

5. Practicality

Use items you already have like wicker baskets for small items and laundry baskets for larger toys.

 

 

Small Wicker Basket

Re-purpose a bookshelf for organizing toys and books.

Bookshelf with Organizing Bins

Legos® are hard to keep organized.  The Lego® sorter pictured below is ideal for sorting all those little pieces and it makes clean up a breeze.

Box4Blox Sorter

It can be hard to find a way to store a large collection of stuffed animals.  This toy hammock gets stuffed animals off the floor and when placed at the right height, keeps them within easy reach for nighttime snuggles.

Teddy Hammock

Don’t forget to use the space under your child’s bed.  Use a long rectangular storage bin with wheels so that your child can pull the bin out easily.  If needed, remove the lid for easy access.

Under-Bed Storage Box