Toy Storage--what Works for You?

I did daycare out of my home and the sterilite containers were the best bet. It allowed me to rotate toys and because they were a bit difficult to open, the kids were less likely to just dump.

We also use a lot of sterilite. We use the 20 qt. clear tubs sitting on their closet shelves for toys like Barbies, doll clothes, legos, leappad, etc. and label with pictures on the front of what's supposed to go inside. I like to find pictures online to match the type of toy inside.

Their 3 drawer sizes have also worked great to organize polly pockets, crafts, and the little treasures they collect. http://www.sterilite.com/Category.html?Section=Storage&am... I love it that you asked this because I'm always looking for ideas to keep the house from being taken over. Good luck!

At walgreens you can get the fabric fold bins, a set of three is $6, normally they are $6 a piece anywhere else. These work great, you can see in them but they are durable and the kids can't get hurt on them.

I have three kids of my own and do day care, so my toy storage needs might be a bit more intense than yours. : ) But I really like the 12-bin storage that another person mentioned. And I printed out simple clipart pictures of the contents (animals, cars, balls, etc) and used packing tape to "laminate" them to the fronts of the bins. Then I also really like the Sterilite Showoffs: http://www.sterilite.com/Category.html?Section=Storage&am... (the 1896 here). They hold just about the right amount of something, plus I keep an eye out and often find them on sale for $3 or so apiece. I put labels on those as well and at least I have a target for the organization. Plus with the latch tops, the little ones can't just dump them without getting someone to open them first.

I only have a 12 month old and so far what I use are the fabric fold out bins from Target. He can pull them out and look in them and they are soft so he won't hurt himself. Obviously they are all low though.

An inexpensive idea is fabric bins - they sell at target or walmart for around $5 on sale - maybe $8 regular price. They are soft yet sturdy, and they're large enough to hold a few toys, but small enough for a child to carry and access. I like the sterilite containers, too, but you have to keep in mind that YOU will likely be the one opening and closing the lids as they're often too difficult for children. This can be good in that not too many toys are taken out, but it can be difficult to always have the time to open the container. I try to limit these to toys with a lot of small pieces or just many pieces, like blocks. This way, I know when they're opened and can make sure they're all cleaned up rather than left all over the house!! Good luck!

Check out IKEA website. We have the 4x4 EXPEDIT and LOVE it! http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80071319 It comes in two different sizes and then you can buy however many clear bins you want. We own four clear bins which work great to store blocks, small toys, etc. Larger toys get their own 'block' and it's very easy for the kids to grab and put away thier own toys. I've also begun rotating toys and have them sorted (stuffed animals, puzzles, dress-up,etc) in clear bins in the basement and limit toys to what can fit in the EXPEDIT at any one time.

I use the under-the-bed sterilite containers and stack them in his closet. They're not super kid friendly; at 4 he is just starting to be able to open them on his own...BUT...I like that. He has a box for Lincoln Logs, a box for Playmobil, a box for Legos, a box for Play-Doh, a box for blocks...etc. He loves to mix-n-match--use the Lincoln Logs to create a village for his train next to the farm for his Playmobil horses. This is ok, sometimes, but it really takes up his whole room when he does it, and he's not good about putting it away when he's done, as his play progresses from one day into another. So, the sterilite containers allowed me to, well, contain his play a little and make his room less dangerous to navigate. Now that he's four and can open the container, he follows a "one box at a time" rule and simply asks when he wants to open multiple boxes (which is ok as long as he cleans up before bed; I hate tripping over and breaking toys if/when he calls me at 2 am to take him to the bathroom!).

We use some red and blue bins from Ikea. They are not see through but they are the perfect size for most of our toys. A plus is they are only $1.50 each so you don't have to limit yourself because of price. I just label them and most of the time the toys get back where they belong. We have closetmaid shelves that we put all of them on. They also sell cubbie bookcases to fit them in that will work great in our future toy room.
tubs: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/57192396
bookcase: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40047675

Hope this helps!

We use a version of this and our twin boys love it. We store books and ALL of the toys that can fit in them here. If there are more toys than bin space we weed out toys with the thought that there is too much.

I know they make these in more "girly" versions, so it might be good for your little girl.

http://www.target.com/Whitmor-Kids%E2%80%99-12-Bin-Organi...

My husband and I have a small house - just enough room for our bedroom and our son's on the main level. We're not big fans of having toys out all over our living room, so we've come up with some practical yet fashionable solutions. IKEA sells a shelf that is made up of cubes. You can buy them in several different sizes. Into these cube fit several different types of storage bins that IKEA makes - you can use baskets, fabric bins, plastic bins, whatever suits your fancy. These bins are super handy and hold lots of toys. On the shelves without the bins, you can put your picture frames, books, and other household decorations. Also, our end tables (from IKEA - we're big fans) have a lower shelf that holds even more toy storage baskets. I just purchased a storage ottoman from Target that has a leather top. It doubles as a comfy bench. They're on sale till Saturday!! Anyway, my son has learned to look inside all of the baskets and bins available to him to find his toys, and at the end of the night we can just throw the stuff right back in!!
Good luck with storage solutions!
Amy K

My exerience with kids, if they know where the item goes, they can put it away. I have toys in one of those contianers that comes with a little shelf/cubbies for toys. It is a set of four. I minimize what is in those and associate the toy with a color container, ex. red for lightening mcqueen, green for john deere items, etc.
The containers are tilted so it's easier for kids to see what is inside of them. The won't always dump the toys out of the container, if they can see the bottom.
I have rubber maid shelves, the kind you would maybe buy for the garage, with cloth baskets and colored bins. Blue is for my daughter's baby doll things, red for little people, green for kitchen, etc. Try to associate the items with the container. Or even put a picture of little people on the container, that way they know it is right. I would stay use the sterlite containers with covers as well as those that are open on top. You will want to keep some items away from your baby in a few months. The covered containers are great. They will have to ask to open them and you can keep an eye on small pieces, only have those out at suppervised play times. Don't worry, eventually they will be able to open the containers. I also like the ones with the tops that latch on the side and have a handle. Mine learned to open these quickly. It's great to be organized.
Good luck!