Organisational Tips for Children's Toy Storage
Every parent knows the joy—and occasional chaos—of a house filled with children's toys. While toys inspire creativity, imagination, and hours of entertainment, they can also quickly overtake your home. From stuffed animals to building blocks and tiny figurines, finding a system to store and organise toys can feel overwhelming. The good news? With some smart strategies, toy storage can be functional, stylish, and fun for both you and your kids.
Children thrive in an organised space. Creating systems early teaches valuable habits that can last a lifetime. Items are more likely to be taken care of and treated with the respect they deserve. Kids will always be kids, but by creating fun and colorful spaces for them, we can encourage a lifelong love for tidy and organised spaces.
Here are some tips on how to tackle the challenge of children's toy storage and create an organised space that encourages more play and less clutter.
Declutter First
Before diving into storage solutions, start with a good decluttering session. If age-appropriate, involve your children in the process to teach them about donating toys they no longer play with. Sort through everything and group items into categories: keep, donate, recycle, or throw away.
Decluttering not only makes it easier to organise but also helps your child appreciate and take better care of their favourite toys. Make this a regular habit, especially before birthdays or holidays when new toys are likely to be added to the mix.
Assess Your Storage Needs
Once you’ve pared down, take stock of what’s left. Look at the types and sizes of toys that need to be stored. Do you have a lot of books? Tiny figurines? Oversized plush animals? Different types of toys require different storage solutions.
Create a defined play and toy storage area—a tranquil place for your child to play independently. This space should have an accessible and easy-to-use storage system that allows children to participate in the cleanup process, fostering independence and responsibility.
Identifying and assessing your space and storage needs will help you choose the right combination of storage options.
Keep It Simple
Let’s be real: many of us struggle with keeping things tidy, and kids are no different. If we want children to help tidy away their toys after playing or crafting, we need to make the process simple and enjoyable.
Complicated storage systems often fail, whether it's paperwork for adults or toys for children. Children need an easy process they can follow—and most importantly, one they can complete and feel satisfied with.
The simpler the system, the more likely they are to stick with it.
Cubes for Easy Accessibility
Cube storage is perfect for kids because it allows them to store and access toys independently. You can find cube storage in various sizes to fit different items—from books and puzzles to stuffed animals. Each cube can be assigned to a specific toy category, which keeps everything in order.
The Ikea KALLAX range is a favourite for many parents—affordable, versatile, and perfectly designed for children's storage needs. Low-level shelving and cube systems make toys and boxes easily accessible, which is crucial for kids.
Organise your child's play space from their eye level. Get down to their height and see how accessible the toys and storage are from their perspective. For younger children, use floor-level storage and open containers for toys they play with the most.
Shelves are great for maximizing space, but make sure they’re not too high for your child to reach. Organise from the bottom of the room up, and ensure that any higher shelves are for storing items that require supervision (like messy art supplies or small puzzle pieces).
Safety First!
Remember, safety is paramount when setting up any play or storage area. Make sure all shelving units are securely attached to walls to prevent tipping, childproof blind cords, and always store heavier items on the lower shelves.
Keep Like Items Together
One of the most effective organising strategies is to store similar items together. Group toys by category —cars with cars, dolls with dolls, blocks with blocks. This method encourages kids to know where their toys are and, more importantly, where they should go when it’s time to tidy up.
clear categories
Clear storage bins are a lifesaver for organising smaller toys like building blocks, action figures, or craft supplies. By using clear bins, kids can easily see what’s inside without rummaging through everything.
Labelling is key to any successful storage system. Make large, clear, child-friendly labels with pictures for younger kids and words for older children. Labels with pictures of cars, dinosaurs, dolls, and blocks help remind young children where things belong, making tidy up time easier. Over time, adding words to the labels will also enhance your child’s reading skills.
For an added element of fun, turn cleanup into a matching game! Ask your child to match the toys to the correct labeled bin or shelf—it’s an enjoyable way to teach organization.
Baskets and Bins for Quick Cleanup
For a quick and easy cleanup, have a few large baskets or bins around the room. These are perfect for tossing in larger toys or items that don’t have a designated space. You can even use attractive woven baskets to enhance the room’s decor while serving a functional purpose.
Top Toy Tidy Ups
Play and Go playmat - www.playandgo.com
Seagrass basket - www.bellybambino.com
Over the door organiser
Tuff bags - Amazon
Ikea KALLAX Shelving
Think Outside the Toy Box
Traditional toy boxes might seem like a great solution, but they often end up being bottomless pits where toys get jumbled and lost. Instead, opt for smaller baskets and containers that can be categorized by toy type.
You don't have to choose storage specifically designed for toys...
Over the door shoe organisers can be used for dolls and Barbies, arts and crafts, small cuddly toys.
Empty bean bags can used to store cuddly toys.
Tuff bags and clear zipped toiletry bags can be used to store sets of small toys, games, jigsaws, puzzles, and Lego sets.
Toy Rotation
Toy rotation is a method that keeps your child's playroom fresh while reducing clutter. Store some toys in a closet or storage area and rotate them out every few weeks. This prevents toy overload and keeps children interested in their "new" toys. Plus, it makes cleaning up much more manageable since there are fewer toys out at one time.
Keep Some Toys Out of Reach
Certain toys—like puzzles, models, crafts, and Play-Doh—can be messy and are better kept out of reach. This helps prevent disasters when children are playing unsupervised and allows parents to control when these toys come out. Keep them stored higher up or in a designated area where they need to ask for access.
tidy up time
Once your storage system is in place, it's crucial to teach your children how to use it. Show them where everything belongs and make cleaning up part of their daily routine. The more involved they are in the process, the more likely they will maintain it. A tidy room can feel empowering for kids, fostering responsibility and independence.
Storage Systems That Grow With Your Child
Toy storage doesn't have to be a temporary fix. Invest in storage solutions that can grow with your child. Opt for adjustable shelves, versatile bins, and neutral-coloured furniture that can transition from storing toys to school supplies or hobbies as your child grows.
Toy storage doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By keeping things simple and practical, you can create a space where your child feels empowered to play and clean up independently. An accessible and easy-to-use toy storage system is essential for maintaining order—and ensuring that toys don’t turn into a trip hazard!
Creating an organised play space helps children focus more on play and creativity while reducing stress for parents. With thoughtful planning, the right tools, and consistent habits, you can tame the toy chaos and enjoy a clean, clutter-free space.
You’ll soon see that an organised play space encourages more play and creativity while reducing stress for everyone.
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