Most parents understand the importance of offering their child hands-on toys, games and activities to play with. In this electronic age, it is imperative that parents introduce their children to the joy of using their imaginations, exploring with their hands and minds, and gaining all the benefits that can be had from real games and toys in comparison to virtual ones.
If you are like many other parents out there though who understand the importance of providing your child with hands-on physical toys as opposed to solely digital ones,you are probably completely stumped about what to do with the ever-growing mountainyour child has accumulated through the years and are looking for kids’ toy storage ideas. What is a parent to do with all those toys?
Many savvy parents choose to take toys in and out of rotation. They keep some toys out, and put others away. This serves two purposes. First of all, it cuts down on the clutter in children’s bedrooms and playrooms. Secondly, it keeps them interested in their toys. When parents bring the toys out again that have been stored, they feel fresh and new.
Another solution that many parents rely on is the parent-to-parent swap.They either swap outgrown toys with other parents in the community, or they swap toys with families who have children the same age. Again, this makes toys feel exciting and new, but is a cost-effective way of exchanging toys that a child is tired of for ones that are new to them. If you are looking for new and creative ways to organize and store your child’s toys, then read on.
Before You Invest in Kids Toy Storage Units
- Give away any toys that are broken or missing pieces.
- Sort toys into three categories: things my child plays with, things that a sibling may play with or has sentimental value to me, and things to donate
- Take stock of what toys your child actually has and uses so you can plan accordingly. You do not want to end up with more storage than you need, or not have enough!
In the meantime, after you have inventoried, swapped, stored and purged, you still probably find yourself looking for solutions to tame the toy room. What good is a room filled with toys if your child cannot find what they are looking for or if all the pieces they need for an activity are missing? Below are some kids’ toy storage ideas that will have your toy room neat and organized before you know it!
Considerations for Kids Toy Storage Ideas
Before you rush out and start to buy a hodgepodge of tools for storing toys, it is a wise idea to develop a plan. There are a few things that you need to take into consideration when planning.
- Size of the room: Are you looking for something compact, or do you have a large space where you can spread storage areas out around the room? Will you need storage units that will occupy nooks and crannies in the room, or will you be looking for something to go along the walls?
- Where the child plays: Many times, parents store toys in a child’s bedroom, only to have them drug out into the family room or other living area and left there. If your child prefers to play primarily in one room of the house, it makes good sense to store toys there. The storage system should encourage, not discourage, your child from playing with their toys.
- Size of the child: One of the goals of a storage system is to make the toys easily accessible to your child. If you store materials on a high shelf, your child will not be able to play with them or put them away independently. Toys should be stored at a height that is appropriate for the age and size of your child. You do not want them scaling the closet shelves in an attempt to get to a favorite toy.
- Personal taste: Are you the type of person who feels that it is okay for toys to be visible as long as they are neatly organized, or would you prefer toys to be stored somewhere out of sight, but still within reach of your child.
- Child’s gross and motor skill development: If you want to encourage independence in your child, you need to provide them with containers and storage solutions that they can handle independently. Containers with tight or tricky lids will not allow your child to open or close them on their own and they can only play with your assistance. If you choose containers with lids, they most come on and off easily, or else they will not be used independently.
- Budget: Develop a budget and stick with it. There are a lot of very beautiful (and expensive) toy storage systems out there. If this is within your budget, it is certainly worth investing in. You do not, however, need to spend a fortune to create some organization in your home and some independence for your child! There are many inexpensive or do it yourself projects that can be created with minimal expense.
- Safety: Make sure that toys are stored in an easily accessible place for your child. Do not place things on top of dressers or high bookshelves. The last thing you want your child to do is to try and climb their dresser to get to a toy, game or book that they want. This is extremely dangerous.
- Durability: Yes cardboard boxes, or recovered shoe boxes can make inexpensive and effective toy storage units, but they will not last long and you will very soon find yourself in the same position you started in. Invest in something that will be durable.
- Goals: Remember that the goals of creating a system for organizing toys is to not only remove some of the clutter from your home, but also to allow your child to find, play with and return their toys independently. If you purchase one large toy box, you are simple creating a new dumping ground. Yes, you may not be stepping on Legos in every room of your home, but your child will not be able to find what they are looking for. Teaching your child to keep things organized is setting them up for lifelong good habits that will serve them well.
Toys that store themselves are the easiest way to address the toy accumulation in a child’s room and some toys are designed with storage in mind. The Spielgaben, for example, eliminates the need for toy storage ideas, as it is cleverly housed in wooden box drawers. This versatile toy has endless learning opportunities and comes with a neat and safe storage system. Part of the fun of playing with the Spielgaben is sorting and organizing the parts. Although the Spielgaben is composed of many small parts, cleanup is a breeze because of the design.
There are other toys on the market that were designed with storage and cleanup in mind as well, which are both attractive fun and functional.
If you are still facing a toy overload, here are 7 more ideas for kids’ toy storage.
Storage Ideas for Kids’ Toys
1. Clear plastic drawers
One of the most efficient ways of storing toys for children is by using clear plastic drawers. The drawers are easy for children to open and close independently, and since they are clear, children can see what is inside without much effort.
There are many different styles available at both online and in store retailers. Some of these items have wheels, which make moving the entire cart easy, and some do not. You can also purchase these systems in different colors.
Although the drawers are clear, it is a good idea to label the outside of each drawer with a picture, and also with words so that your child can easily identify what is in each one. An added bonus to this is that it creates environmental print that your child will recognize as they begin reading!
These drawers are durable, and can easily be reorganized as your child grows to house whatever it is that needs to be kept inside. They can be stored in any room of the house, as well as in a closet.
2. Wooden racks with colorful bins
If you are looking for something that will pack a stylish punch to your child’s bedroom or your family space while also being easy for your child to use, consider a wooden rack with open topped bins. There are many different styles available, and the bins range from plastic to canvas. They are also available in a variety of colors, so you can choose according to your taste and also to the décor of the room the unit will be housed in.
3. Under the bed storage
One of the most underutilized spaces in a child’s room is under their bed. First of all, the area is low enough for a child to reach independently. Secondly, if there is not something useful under the bed, it could ned up being a place where you child shoves every odd and end they don’t want to put away!
Under the bed storage units vary from the most simple clear plastic tubs on casters, to more clever and creative. Either way, make sure that the tubs are not so large that they become dumping grounds!
4. EZY Tidy Buddy Storage Bags
For those toys with very small pieces, like Legos, Rainbow Looms, Hot Wheels, Polly Pockets or any other small toy other, an excellent solution has arrived in the way of the EZY Tidy Buddy Storage Bag. These bags open up into a 17 inch diameter and turn into a mat that can be placed on a surface. When your child is finished playing, the simply put the toys back into the middle of the mat and draw the strings. The bags have handles, and are perfect for transport.
5. Kill Two Birds with One Stone
A clever do-it-yourselfer can easily make a beautiful seating area for their child’s room (or any room for that matter) that doubles as a storage area. Directions for creating a gorgeous seating bench which is perfect along a wall or under a window are below. This is a perfect spot for a reader to curl up and enjoy a book, or to sit and daydream. Underneath are cubbies that can be filled with crates that will help keep toys, games and books organized. Any furniture that is designed to do double duty is a great investment!
6. Over the door shoe organizers
These thrifty treasures are fantastic for keeping small items organized, not to mention that they are very inexpensive! The clear plastic pockets make it easy for your child to see what is in each pocket. With smaller children, you may choose to use only the bottom few rows for their toys, since they may not be able to reach the higher levels. Safety first!
7. Low cupboards
Consider the installation of kitchen style cupboards for your child’s playroom or bedroom. Cupboards come in a variety of finishes and many can be painted to match your décor. By placing these cupboards on the ground, your child can easily reach their toys, and when they are done playing, an unsightly mess can be tucked away behind closed doors!
To make the cupboards even more efficient, a few clear shoebox style storage containers with picture labels can make organization a snap.
You can see that toy storage ideas are plentiful. With a little creativity, you can design an easy to use and functional bedroom or play area for your child. This will help your child learn to appreciate a tidy space, teach them independence by making it easy for them to find and put away their own toys, and most of all let them have fun! Once your child can easily see all the toys they have at their disposal, they may begin to use and combine them in ways they had never thought of before. A little organization could be the stepping stone to a life of ingenuity!
