7 Smart and Easy Ways to Store and Organize Kids Toys
I recently turned our guest bedroom into a playroom for my son. I want to share the best ways to organize and store toys in a playroom.
One thing I have learned from the past when it comes to storing toys is “out of site is out of mind”. If my son couldn’t see the toys, he tended not to play with them. He would also constantly dump entire bins of toys out onto the floor to look for something specific which created a bigger mess. So I am sharing the best toy storage ideas that I have found that both keep things organized and store toys in a way that keep them as visible as possible.
Clear Storage Cubes
Clear storage cubes are my favorite way to store his toys. They are large so lots of toys can fit in them and since they are completely clear, they are a great storage solution because my son can easily see inside and find the toys he is looking for without dumping the bins out. These plastic bins are a great way to store small toys like Magnatiles, legos or blocks, train track sets, hot wheels toy cars, or any toy that has a lot of pieces. I like to store them in a storage cube book shelf for easy access and they work great in open shelving too.
2. Clear Plastic Zipper Storage Bags
We recently started using these plastic storage zipper bags and I have become a huge fan. I use these for toys and games that have a lot of pieces but aren’t quite big enough to fill up a full storage cube. We use the extra-large bag for board games but they come in all different sizes. This method also allows you to throw away the original boxes which saves a ton of room. These storage bags can be stored in toy chests, in storage bins, drawers, or even in storage baskets.
3. Drawstring Bags
These drawstring bags are great for games and toys that aren’t flat enough to slide into the zipper storage bags. We used them for our Greedy Granny Game, Poppin’ Pirate Game and other oddly shaped games and toys. I will take a few of these drawstring bags that have toys in them and put them into a larger basket to help keep them all organized in one place. Outside of just toys, these drawstrings also work great for storing shoes and organizing items in your suitcase while traveling.
4. Tall Bookshelves
I am all about using vertical space in a room and tall bookshelves are the best way to create storage vertically. Whether they are located in a playroom, kid's room or living room, a tall storage unit can hold a lot of items and are idea for small spaces. I like to keep storage cubes on the bottom shelf and then line up my son’s play vehicles, action figures and other oddly shaped or larger toys on the other shelves. He really loves to be able to walk up to the bookshelf and grab one of his trucks right off the shelf. You can use a bunch of storage cubes on all the shelves or choose to keep some toys out and exposed like we did. These tall bookshelves also are a great option if you are needing to add storage to a living room or office area in your home because you can keep storage bins for toys on the bottom shelves and have picture frames and home decor on the upper shelves perfectly blending your toy storage with your home's style.
5. Large Baskets
We always keep at least two larger baskets in our playroom. I use them to store a bunch of the clear zipper bags or store the drawstring bags. A large basket also works really well to store your zipper bagged board games because you can stand them all up inside the basket. If you are looking for clever ways to hide toys in other parts of your home like your kid's bedroom, family room, a flex space or in the living room, large decorative baskets are a great place to keep toys nearby but also hidden to the eye.
6. Rolling Utility Cart
There are so many uses for a 3-tier rolling cart in a playroom but my favorite use is for art and craft supplies. We keep a container of paint supplies on the bottom tier, coloring books and paper on the middle tier, and all my son’s markers, crayons, and pencils on the top tier. The uses are really unlimited for a rolling cart like this!
7. Use Labels
I have a small, portable label maker that I like to use to label all of the plastic tubs and clear zipper bags with the name of the game inside. As my son grows up and begins to read, I am hoping that the labels will help with clean-up time and with us putting the toys back in their labeled bags. For me, its been extremely helpful in keeping things organized.
Creating a functional and organized play area can be accomplished by utilizing some of these creative toy storage ideas . From toy bins and storage bags to vertical shelves and bookcases, each component will aid in keeping toys organized and well kept.
By utilizing these toy storage ideas, you can create a play space that not only meets your practical needs but also helps your children easily locate their favorite toys and help contribute to clean-up time. A well-organized and toy area will make both kids and parents happy.
