Toys have a way of taking over a home, especially when space is tight. The best storage is not the fanciest. It is the kind a three-year-old can use without help. Here are seven ideas that keep toys contained in small spaces.
1. Keep fewer toys out at once
Put some toys away in a closet and swap them every few weeks. Children often play longer with fewer choices, and there is simply less to tidy.
2. Give every kind of toy a home
One basket for soft toys, one bin for vehicles, one box for building bricks. When everything has a place, tidying becomes a sorting game.
3. Use open baskets for soft and bulky toys
Lids slow little ones down. An open basket on the floor is the easiest tidy-up there is. The Cotton Rope Pom & Tassel Basket, Large ($64.99) is soft, has handles for carrying from room to room and looks good enough to leave in the living room.
4. Sort building bricks as you store them
Bricks spread everywhere and are hard to find at the bottom of a big bin. The Wooden Building Brick Sorter & Storage Box ($79) sorts pieces by size as you shake it, so the next build starts with the right piece.
5. Divide drawers
Small toys, art supplies and doll clothes stay neat in drawers with dividers. Small fabric bins, shoeboxes or trays all work; pick ones that fit the depth of the drawer.
6. Go up the wall
When floor space is short, use the walls. Wall shelves can display favourite books and special toys up off the floor, and hooks at child height hold bags and dress-up clothes. Mount everything securely and keep heavy items low.
7. Make a short daily tidy part of the day
A few minutes of tidying before dinner or bath time keeps things from piling up. Put on one song, and everyone tidies until it ends. For children who cannot read yet, add picture labels to bins so they know where things go.
At a glance
| Problem | Solution | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Soft toys everywhere | Cotton Rope Pom & Tassel Basket | $64.99 |
| Building bricks underfoot | Wooden Brick Sorter & Storage Box | $79 |
Questions
How many toys should be out at once?
There is no magic number. Start by putting away about half, then rotate every few weeks and see what your children reach for.
What is the safest toy storage for toddlers?
Low, open storage without heavy lids that can fall shut. Anchor tall furniture and shelves to the wall.
For more ideas, read How to Organize a Busy Family Home or shop Home Organization.
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