Toy Storage for All the Things
LOLs, Legos and Nerf guns, oh my!
We’ve all got our favorite things. For our kids, they’re usually teeny tiny, painful to step on and Very Important—meaning, they’ve got to be stored intentionally and be easy to access on a daily basis.
Over the years we’ve seen and tried a lot of different toy solutions. Here are a few of our favorites:
LOL Dolls
We love that Caboodles are back and their compartments are ideal for organizing the LOL’s tiny clothes and accessories. As it gets full, give the power of editing to your child—who’s getting voted out of the Caboodle.
Legos
Color-coding Legos is gorgeous in theory but unless your builder is deeply invested in maintaining the system, it likely won’t stick. We prefer to buy small bins and separate the Legos by set. Use an adhesive photo protector on top to store the instructions and keep the parts inside. It’s also helpful to institute a time limit for how long a creation can stay out. After the time’s up, it needs to be taken apart and put in its bin, where it’s ready to be built again (or, eventually sold with everything accounted for!).
Puzzles
Wrap the box in a large rubber band and store them vertically bookshelf-style.
Costumes
Have a closet in the playroom? Buy a set of garment bags and label them by child or category. This frees the closet from being filled with sequins and tulle and makes it a special event when the costumes are unveiled. No closet, no problem. A decorative basket is a great spot for dress-up clothes and accessories.
American Girl Dolls
Doll stands are an affordable option to display a few favorite dolls (and protect their hair!). Encourage your child to keep a tight collection. Large accessories can be kept out as decoration or stored under a piece of furniture in an under-the-bed box. Clothing and smaller parts work well in stackable shoebox drawers or clear lidded boxes.
Video Gaming Systems
Consider investing in a closed console where gaming systems can stay hidden. Reduce the clutter by using cord ties and baskets to separate games and accessories by system.
Nerf Guns
We love a good Nerf gun wall and it’s super easy to DIY. Have a pegboard custom-cut at Home Depot and hang it on a wall or over the back of a playroom door. Use S-hooks to store the Nerf guns and keep a basket with bullets nearby.
