Toy Storage Ideas?!

[TheGoodLife]

Does anyone have any suggestions for good DC toy storage- recommendations or, even better, things that do NOT work well in a DC setting. I have ages 3 months- 4 years. I'm only concerned with making sure it is sturdy and can't tip/fall over or break easily. Thanks guys

[snbauser]

Stay away from toy boxes of any sort. They just become a bottomless pit. Anything that has shelves and small buckets/baskets/etc and can be labeled helps them sort and put away toys.

[momofsix]

The thing that did NOT work for me at all was this
http://www.amazon.com/Honey-Can-Do-S...ds=toy+storage
The toys just seemed to scream "dump me all out!!" from those bins!

Right now I'm using closet-maid type shelves with bins
http://www.amazon.com/ClosetMaid-899...d+shelf+6+cube

I have most of them resting on the sides, so they are low enough to see over and not be a tipping hazard. I have pictures of the different toys hooked on to the outside of the bins so the kids can see what goes where. I've had these for a while now and really like the way they help the kids stay organized with clean up

[melilley]

I have both toy shelves that momofsix mentioned. Both of them come with hardware where you can attach the shelves/storage bin rack to the wall or like pp said, put them so they are short and long. I like the storage bins (the first link from momofsix) for all the kitchen and baby doll toys and accessories. But it is hard for the littles to reach the toys in the top bins so I put toys for the older children in those. I love the storage shelves (2nd link). You can leave them open or get baskets or cloth bins. I also use the 6 cubby unit for personal belongings on the top (with a cloth bin) and shoes/boots on the bottom and have coat hangers above them for coats. That is the cheaper route. There are several sites that sell furniture for daycares, but it's very expensive in my opinion! And I agree, no toy boxes, though I do have a deck box outside, but that's all I could think of for outside storage.

[MarinaVanessa]

I personally don't have anything fancy, just a bunch of sturdy clear storage bins from Target that come with lids. All of my toys are sorted, stacked and put away at the end of the day and even when the lid is on and they are stacked you can see what's inside. One day when I have more space I will invest in daycare/pre-school shelving. They're heavy duty, made of real wood and will last me for years and years.

I bought a kids fold-able table and chairs set and that only lasted 7 months before it gave out. Last year I bought a pre-school type table and some plastic chairs to go with it and I LOVE IT. They kids can't move it, they can't tip it, they can beat on it and still it doesn't have a scratch on it. Definitely worth the extra money now for the benefit of the long run.

[Lyss]

I have the Ikea Trofast containers (attached picture; hope it shows up) and really like them. I put pictures on each storage bin (i don't think the picture shows that) so the kids know whats in each one. I also bought 4 extra bins with lids so I can swap out the toys easier. I also just have a basic shelf that we've had for years, its older and heavy to move but it's really sturdy if the kids pull on it.

[MarinaVanessa]

Originally Posted by Lyss

I have the Ikea Trofast containers (attached picture; hope it shows up) and really like them. I put pictures on each storage bin (i don't think the picture shows that) so the kids know whats in each one. I also bought 4 extra bins with lids so I can swap out the toys easier. I also just have a basic shelf that we've had for years, its older and heavy to move but it's really sturdy if the kids pull on it.

Oh I've seen these too!! I also love these!! These are great for smaller toys and manipulatives. I want some too.

[DCMom]

Originally Posted by Lyss

I have the Ikea Trofast containers (attached picture; hope it shows up) and really like them. I put pictures on each storage bin (i don't think the picture shows that) so the kids know whats in each one. I also bought 4 extra bins with lids so I can swap out the toys easier. I also just have a basic shelf that we've had for years, its older and heavy to move but it's really sturdy if the kids pull on it.

I have a couple of these in different areas. They come in lots of different configurations/bin sizes to accommodate what you need to store.

I love the lids, it makes it really easy to switch things out and store.

I IKEA in general...it's dangerous that one is only 20 minutes away!

[daycarediva]

I wish I had an Ikea!


I built wooden sturdy shelves, and purchased plastic colored bins. I have a photo label on each bin with what goes inside. Shelves will last forever and the bins I replace if they crack. Each kid gets one bin at a time. No massive toy messes!

[TheGoodLife]

Originally Posted by Lyss

I have the Ikea Trofast containers (attached picture; hope it shows up) and really like them. I put pictures on each storage bin (i don't think the picture shows that) so the kids know whats in each one. I also bought 4 extra bins with lids so I can swap out the toys easier. I also just have a basic shelf that we've had for years, its older and heavy to move but it's really sturdy if the kids pull on it.

I love the pic! I think i'm going to just stick with less expensive wooden cube storage for now, and wait to go all out for more expensive storage later. I will definitely be using pictures to label the drawers, though, Did that when I was in my Head Start classroom and it's so helpful. Thanks for the help, ladies!

[MotherNature]

I use the same sort of cube storage shelves as momofsix. I have 2 9 cube cubbies & a bench w/ 3 cubbie cubes under it. Looks kind of built-in. BTW, hi! I'm new.

We have shelves like these at our center. There are units with 6 and 9 spaces too. They can be pricey, but they last forever! On the shelves we (in the toddler room) have some clear containers with lids, and some without. The ones with the lids the toddlers need help opening, so we are able to control the mess.

Originally Posted by daycarediva

I wish I had an Ikea!

Me too!

[coolconfidentme]

Originally Posted by Mama2Bella

Does anyone have any suggestions for good DC toy storage- recommendations or, even better, things that do NOT work well in a DC setting. I have ages 3 months- 4 years. I'm only concerned with making sure it is sturdy and can't tip/fall over or break easily. Thanks guys

Different color milk crates bolted to the wall are cost effective & also works well as cubbies!

[MsLaura529]

Originally Posted by coolconfidentme

Different color milk crates bolted to the wall are cost effective & also works well as cubbies!

Oh, that's a great idea! I've been trying to look for some nice cheap shelving, and this might just be it

[lovemykidstoo]

I have 3 of these sets of plastic colored shelves in my playroom. I have storage bins for pretty much everything and labeled them with my lovely label maker. To alleviate alot of the dumping and pouring I only let them have so many bins out at the same time. Then I use the big 3M sticker hooks at the top and put a cheap plastic pvc pipe and hung curtains that can cover up all the toys when I'm not open for business and have company. It's nice to be able to have a curtain wall over the toys to make it look neat.


This is mine with arts and crafts materials in bins on top and toys in bins on middle and bottom shelves.


And this is when I pull down the curtains.






Does anyone know how to make my pics smaller? HELP!!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Traditional daycare shelving can fall over if pushed. I learned that recently when 4 of my kids decided to "lean against it" ???? I have no idea why this was a good idea but it scared the daylights out of them when it fell over the other way.

I bought mine from discount school supply. It is natural wood (like everything in my daycare).

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Originally Posted by Sunshine74

We have shelves like these at our center. There are units with 6 and 9 spaces too. They can be pricey, but they last forever! On the shelves we (in the toddler room) have some clear containers with lids, and some without. The ones with the lids the toddlers need help opening, so we are able to control the mess.



Me too!

Mine look similar, they are just 3 levels high instead of 2.

[lovemykidstoo]

I anchor everything to the wall. I'm way too paranoid about something falling on the kiddos.

[Meeko]

I use wood cubbies with clear containers.

[TheGoodLife]

Originally Posted by Meeko

I use wood cubbies with clear containers.

I love those shelves, Meeko! I'm looking for cheap wood ones but I find more cubes than anything- makes it hard to use the rectangular plastic bins I already have.

[Springdaze]

I was just given a bag full of small puppets and I want to come up with something other than a bin.....thinking of a clothesline?

[Blackcat31]

Originally Posted by chellenj

I was just given a bag full of small puppets and I want to come up with something other than a bin.....thinking of a clothesline?

A child's coat tree is an awesome puppet holder!

Like this:

[Springdaze]

Originally Posted by Blackcat31

A child's coat tree is an awesome puppet holder!

Like this:

oh, yea!