Creative Solutions for Kid-Friendly Toy Storage: A Parent's Guide

One of the biggest challenges of parenthood: dealing with your kids accessories. If you're not badgering the kids to clean up, you're on your hands and knees in the playroom at 11pm. trying to find every last piece of plastic. There has to be a better way and there is. 

One of the easiest ways to keep kids accessories organized is to develop an organization system that meshes with their natural tendencies. Ahead, we've rounded up the best toy storage ideas for kids from kids toy store online, plus expert advice from a professional organizer about how to create a system that works. From play room ideas to kids' bedroom inspiration, these kids accessories storage ideas and organization techniques will make it so your kids actually want to clean.

1- It's possible to keep child accessories neat

Most play areas are dumping grounds for toys, but once a space is set up with the right structures and systems, kids actually love to clean up because it gives them immediate gratification and there’s no better motivator.

2- Edit the childerns accessories

More toys does not mean better play. Keep only those toys your child actually plays with. Also try to avoid toys that only do one thing: A train that can be arranged only in a figure eight, for example, is nowhere near as engaging as a train with tracks a child can put together multiple ways.

3- Limit how many of each type of toy there

When kids are surrounded by too many toys in a cluttered environment, they choose to play with something for only a few minutes because they’re overwhelmed. Instead, keep only a few of each type of toy around: a few puzzles, a few games, a few cans of Play-Doh. Store or give away what you don’t need.

4- Lose the boxes the toys came in

Blocks, building sets, and pretend playing kids accessories that come in cardboard or plastic boxes add clutter and the pieces never seem to fit back in exactly the right way. Mixing pieces from different sets also promotes more creative play, as a child isn’t limited to just one thing.

5- Build a bookcase for accessories

A wall of toy storage could be a game changer. If you build your shelves low enough, you can make a bench on top. Or, build them child-height so you can put even more organizational bins up there. As your kids grow, this space can grow with them and they can replace those baskets with books.

6- Think small, lidless bins

Huge storage squares typically hide their contents leading kids to dumping them everywhere and you can buy these from kids toy store online. Plus, when they’re putting stuff away, they have to first pull them out. Bins with lids are even more difficult.

7- Or find tilted bins that show what's inside

You can only put so many bins on top of your cabinets. If you still need more storage space, opt for tilted bin units that show off exactly what's inside. Removing the barrier of having to pull out the bin and put it back could be just what it takes to get your kids to put away their toys.

8- Group likes with likes

Group all the kids accessories together in one bin, all the toy people in another, all the animals in another. Place games that encourage cognitive thinking together labeled brain teasers. Not only does this organize, it makes your kids begin to think in mental compartments a forerunner to the type of thinking they employ once they're in school, and a key cognitive functioning skill.

9- Set up a craft cart

That way, craft time can take place wherever you want it to. We love the idea of pairing your cart with a hanging filer for coloring books, a clothes line for artwork, and a desk for crafting. Creating designated corners for specific activities helps kids know exactly where to put something away.

10- Don't forget hanging storage

Use the backs of doors to hang shoe racks and fill them with odds and ends. Make sure you buy clear ones so your kids can see what's inside. Pro tip: Put any messy toys that should only be used with supervision up top.

11- Try a toy hammock

The best toy organizers are the ones that take up as little floor space as possible. You can buy these from kids toy store online. Part of the reason we love this one? It takes up absolutely none. A toy hammock is perfect for kiddos who collect stuffed animals, but it can also work for a range of other toys too. You can hang one across the corner of a room or on a wall.

12- Utilize under-bed storage

Rolling drawers under the bed or couch can be used to stow away lesser used childers accessories like board games, train tracks, and niche craft supplies. It's space you definitely don't want to waste.

13- Use simple photo labels

Photos are imperative to guide children with clean up they take out the guesswork and assure consistent results. They hangs them on the inside of the cubbies, so children know exactly where bins go. They takes a photo of some objects that will go in a bin and labels them on a photo editor app. Then they prints out a 4 x 6 photo, laminates it, and affixes it to the bin. You can also put pictures on the outside of the bins, as seen in this streamlined playroom.

14- Display small childerns accessories on the wall

A wall rack of small toys looks great and helps with organization too. The idea works especially well for toy cars. Kids will love picking and choosing their rides and putting them back, given children's love for putting things into little spaces, And this time, it's not your air conditioning vent!

15- Turn clean-up into a game

Five minutes before cleanup, make an announcement to your child that it's almost time to put everything away. When the time comes, ring the bell and challenge your child to get everything tidy before you can finish singing the ABC song. After a week, skip the song and just ring the bell.