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Frugal toy storage

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If your home is anything like mine, you have toys with small components. I’ve started storing mine in the “toss or re-use” containers made by Gladware and Ziploc. So long as you stick with one brand they stack really nicely for shelf storage. They are relatively cheap, they come in a range of sizes, they seal tightly, and they are clear so you can see which toy is inside which container.

Because they are designed to hold hot food, these containers are made out of polypropylene (recycling symbol 5) – one of the safest plastics.

I also use these containers to store a few pieces from a multi-piece toy set like  our wood pattern blocks (see top container in picture). These particular blocks came in a set of 250. I didn’t want to pick up 250 small wooden blocks every day, so I put together a couple kits of 36 (6 of each shape) in smaller containers. This way Emma has enough to make some fun patterns and to use her geometric shapes play mat, but few enough that cleanup isn’t overwhelming.

What are your best toy storage tips?

MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.

6 thoughts on “Frugal toy storage”

  1. I love the collapsible hamper idea – perfect for stuffed animals!I’m a total IKEA addict – it’s probably a good thing our closest store is over 50 miles away so I can’t shop there very often – and I have a couple of those Costco animal cracker tubs too :)

  2. I love the Ikea toy storage systems, the ones that are just bins that slide in and out. We get those huge tubs of animal crackers from Costco, and the containers are great for holding toys afterwards! I have one tub for craft supplies, one for toys for the baby to chew on, one for blocks…

  3. You are so right about the 250 pick-up-blocks thing. Very smart to split those up into smaller sets!

  4. Infant Bibliophile

    Good idea! We need some tips. Our toys are everywhere. I like the cheap circular collapsible hampers with lids… they hold a lot and the little guy likes emptying and refilling them. I have a laundry basket full of various sized balls. Other than that, mayhem rules.

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