DIY Toy Storage

Get Down--Way Down

• Remember that your child is, well, childsized. They often are unable to reach shelving units or hanging rods, and you really don't want them climbing up the bookcase to get to that favorite game. Put yourself at your child's height, and you'll have a much easier time coming up with storage solutions that your child will actually use.

Think Outside the Box

• Most of us had a toy box growing up; however, this isn't the most efficient method of storage, even if it is super easy for clean up time. Smaller toys end up down in the dark depths of the box, pieces fall out, go missing or get broken and cleaning out the box becomes more like a scavenger hunt than anything else.

  Containers that sort as well as store toys are easy to find and make: A wooden rail shoe rack with brightly colored plastic bins becomes an inexpensive way to hold blocks, small dolls, cards and art supplies. Net hamper bags in pretty colors can round up stuffed animals when hung from hooks on the wall or under a bunk bed.

  Shoe organizers hung on the wall or behind doors are fantastic for storing Barbie or other fashion dolls, their wardrobes and those teeny-tiny shoes and brushes that seem to get everywhere. It works for GI Joe dolls and other army men, too.

  Board games can always be stacked on lower bookshelves, but consider replacing their flimsy boxes with plastic ones. It doesn't take long for the original boxes to fall apart with handling.

Clean Up Counts

• Whatever storage ideas you choose, remember that the easier they are for your child to access, the more likely they are to actually use them. Keep them low and easy to open and close, and label them. If your child doesn't read yet, label them with photos or hand-drawn pictures. It works in kindergarten classrooms, and it will work for you, too.