Creating kid-friendly storage solutions doesn’t have to be challenging. If your child’s playroom closet has seen better days, don’t worry — we won’t judge. After all, playrooms are meant to be spaces for fun and play. However, kids still need to learn and practice responsibility, and cleaning up their play space is a great way to do so. We’ve gathered some of the best organization hacks to help you manage the playroom in a way that is functional, fun, and educational.
Clear organizers
Clear organizers keep everything in one place without overcomplicating the process. This trick is especially beneficial for young children, since many kids struggle with object permanence and memory. As they age, this will disappear, but kids can be a bit forgetful about where to put toys or how things are organized when they’re young.
Clear organizers allow you and your child to see the contents within. It makes it easier to get the toy they want without digging through all the bins and boxes, which translates to less clutter on the floor. Additionally, since children can easily see where their toys go, clean-up time will be much more manageable.
For older kids, adding colorful, large labels to the bins is a great way to ensure they remember the age-old adage: “A place for everything and everything in its place.” They’ll know where their toys are meant to go, and will have no excuse for leaving them on the floor at the end of the day.
Large baskets and bins
Larger baskets and bins are a fantastic storage solution for toys. Whether you put them in the closet or somewhere nearby, these bins allow for more accessibility. By placing the bins or baskets on the ground, you allow your child the opportunity to pick out their toy whenever they choose as well as the chance to put it back where they found it. If you tag-team at clean-up time, this can be an excellent way to practice the value of teamwork to achieve a goal.
Tiered storage carts
Tiered storage carts provide mobility, accessibility, and unlimited storage opportunity. A simple three-tiered cart allows you to stack books, crafts, or toys vertically, saving space in the playroom. Also, tiered carts will enable you to utilize cups, dividers, and smaller boxes to categorize toys or art supplies in a simple yet effective way.
Since these carts are mobile, craft time won’t require several trips up and down for supplies. Simply wheel the cart to the table or other area where you want to engage with your kids. It’s such a simple trick that makes all the difference.
Pegboards
As mentioned above, keeping things in reach for your child is important to establishing autonomy. While valuables, scissors, and other tools and toys that require parental supervision should be placed on higher shelves, you can place items like dress-up clothes, dolls, blocks, and other toys within reach.
Pegboards are a great way to implement vertical storage solutions in the playroom while maintaining the child’s ability to access and put away toys when necessary. Hang dress-up attire, small storage containers, and bags to the pegboard. This will not only decrease floor clutter but will also make the space more visually appealing.
Door-hanging solutions
While you may see hanging storage solutions for clothing inside a closet, there’s no reason you can’t use these items for storing toys! Shoe organizers are great for holding action figures and dolls, preventing them from becoming damaged in a box.
You can also include racks and bins to store books, larger toys, and other materials that require separate storage space. Using door-hanging storage solutions keeps items intact and saves space through a vertical organization system.
No matter your child’s age or your playroom situation, these organization hacks can significantly reduce mess and simplify your life when it comes time to clean up. Try out lower storage solutions to teach your child about responsibility and teamwork when putting away their toys, and use mobile storage solutions like tiered cards for easy and simple clean-up after craft time.
Whatever you choose, keep in mind that kid-friendly storage isn’t just about keeping items off the floor; it’s also about functionality and time-saving systems that allow you and your child to have more fun together!
