Whenever you enter any home, what is the one thing that will give away the fact that there are kids in that home? I’m sure you’ve guessed it right. TOYS!!

Having kids in the house can liven the atmosphere with all the laughter and cheer that they cause. The joy that they bring comes along with many other challenges for parents, especially mothers; and one of them is “Toy Storage“-the daunting task of managing their sometimes bulky, sometimes tiny pieces, sometimes soft and sometimes delicate pieces of treasure; their TOYS!

All you moms will agree that this is one of the biggest challenges you face at home; struggling to keep your homes organized and clutter-free. We try to make sure that our kids make the most of their toys but at the same time wish that we could make everything fly back into its place by the swish of a magic wand after they are done with their playtime.

I came across a thought-provoking anonymous quote recently which said, “For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned.” And this rightly aligns with the fact that moms invest such a lot of time into clearing their living rooms or even sorting out their child’s rooms and keeping stuff organized.

Toy storage should be given its due importance as it not only helps to keep things in order but also helps a great deal in teaching a child the importance of winding and cleaning up after their playtime, thereby developing a sense of responsibility as well.

As a mother myself, I can at times be a bit of a conformist and play by the rules. So, I started off by this ritual of clearing up my son’s toys just before his screen time right from an early age of two. I would ask him to help me and only after the last toy has been put in its place, would the TV be put on. This habit has now been conditioned into him so well, that it sometimes slips out of my mind, but he doesn’t forget to put his toys back in their place before he sits to watch his cartoons.

We must also look at toy storage as a great means to inculcate certain values in a child; like caring for their possessions, the importance of organization, and also being grateful for all that they have.

So as rightly quoted by Benjamin Franklin. “A place for everything, everything in its place”, we need to have a place for those not so important to us, but very important little valuables that our kids hold so dear. 

The various types of toys and other articles that we have around the house include soft toys, bulky toys (trucks, dolls, musical instruments), miniatures (blocks, Legos, animal figures, etc), board games, books, stationery and art & craft materials.

This post highlights some very useful and practical toy storage ideas, especially for Indian homes. Hope you find it insightful.

DIY’s are a great way to sort out toy storing. Nothing like it, if you can create something out of waste or throw away materials. It’s a fantastic way to engage your kids and get them into doing a creative activity along with you.

DIY Toy Storage Ideas

DIY Doll House

We all know how much our little girls Love the playhouse. This simple and sweet little DIY can help keep her dolls and home/kitchen sets in one place. All you need is one big empty cardboard box, glue, scissors, and some craft paper for neatness if you will and you should be good to go.

Car Garage

Another interesting DIY for the boys who love their cars, trucks and fire engines. This one again was made from empty Amazon and Flipkart boxes, a glue gun, a kitchen roll cardboard and chart paper for the flooring. Every night, before going to bed, all the vehicles get parked neatly inside the garage.

Drawstring Cloth Bags

This was originally made to keep clothes for laundering. However, one fine day my little fellow decided to put all his soft toys in it. He called it their ‘sleeping bag’. So, the storage problem of another category of toys was sorted with this simple drawstring bag that was sewn out of an old bedsheet.

For those of you who don’t find the time for DIYs or are not feeling the creative streak, the market today is filled with a range of storage products that you can explore. Right from plasticware to wooden furnishings, it is all out there.

Other Toy Storage Ideas

Pull out drawers for toy storage

This option is suitable for small-sized toys like blocks, Legos, puzzles, animal figures, magnetic alphabets, and numbers, etc. Everything can be sorted categorically. This colorful and sleek piece of storage item will just add to the vibrance of your kid’s room or nursery.

Storage Baskets

This is perfect if you wish to have just one place for all of it. It gives your child easy access to the toys, especially to toddlers, who love to have every toy in front of them while playing. Well, don’t be surprised to see your little munchkin empty the basket only to climb and sit inside it. 

For those of you who prefer to go eco-friendly or have a rustic theme in your home décor, there are a number of storage items in bamboo and cane items available such as these.

Storage Tubs

An ideal way out for those who have loads of toys that need to be segregated and kept. These tubs come with a lid which is great to keep unwanted dust and dirt from settling on the toys especially if they are kept unused for long periods of time.

Shelves with Bins

A great way to keep your kids’ stuff easily accessible yet organized. Shelves like these can have everything, be it books, board games, stationery, craft supplies, or toys in one corner of the study or the bedroom.

Collapsible laundry bags/baskets

They may be called ‘laundry’ bags, but I have witnessed the use of this item in multiple ways. They make for brilliant storage places. They are lightweight and can be easily folded and kept aside when not in use.

Multi-utility compact foldable laptop table

Wondering how this adds up to a toy storage item? Well, you should check it out especially if your child is into drawing, painting, or craft.

This awesome foldable table doubles up as a breakfast table, bed tray, reading stand, gaming desk, kids study desk, and more. It comes with some storage space under the desktop for pens, paper, colors, and other art supplies. It has a strong closure at the top to securely hold all of the stuff inside.

Further, if you are one of them who loves to adorn their home with furnishings that make amazing storage spaces as well, and you don’t mind going that extra mile with spending on it, then there are some amazing choices within your reach.

Sideboard Cabinets

Cabinets have been the go-to option as far as storage is concerned. They fit into any room or corner of the home. A variety of styles, colors, and designs are available to suit your taste and the feel of your home.

Chest of Drawers

I personally love drawers. One can keep everything so organized and sorted. Be it books, stationery, paper, electronic gadgets, or even clothes, a chest of drawers will solve all your storage needs. This is one thing that I really look forward to having when I get a place of my own.

Upholstered Furniture, Box, or Bench

This beautiful piece of upholstered furniture is simply the best when it comes to storing things right from linen, quilts, bags, small toys, and even long items like rolls of charts or gift wraps. It comes with a hydraulic lift mechanism that holds the top while you rummage through your stuff. They are perfect for toy storage!

These are just a few of the countless alternatives available nowadays to resolve your woes of toy storage. We would love to know if you think that toy storage is worthy of giving thought to. Let us know your views in the comment section below. Until then, Happy Toy Store-ying!!