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This all started the way many questionable decisions start.
It was 2:00 AM.
My toddler is asleep next to me. I should’ve been asleep.
Instead, I fell straight into an Instagram black hole of toy organization videos.
You know the ones. Perfectly styled homes. Neutral bins. No visible evidence that children actually live there. Meanwhile, my living room looked like a tiny tornado hit it…which isn’t that far from the truth honestly.
So instead of doom scrolling forever, I decided to make it useful.
I rounded up the most viral toy storage ideas I kept seeing on Instagram and broke them down:
- how to actually do them
- which ones are worth the effort
- and which ones only work if no one ever touches anything
Before we get into it, you can find all the links to the organization products shown, here!
and if you’d like the links to some of my favorite toys in my daughter’s playroom click here.
Puzzle Storage Solutions
Let’s start with puzzles, because puzzle pieces are basically feral. And find a way everywhere except where they should be.
Jigsaw Puzzle Storage That Saves Space
This first idea comes from @lifeinjeneral, and it’s especially great for jigsaw puzzles that don’t have a backing.
Instead of keeping puzzles in those giant boxes that take up way too much shelf space, she puts all the pieces into zippered bags, then stores the bags inside one bin.
I love this for a few reasons:
- Kids learn how to use zippers pretty early
- By the time they’re doing jigsaw puzzles, they can clean them up themselves
- The bin keeps everything contained
- It saves so much space compared to puzzle boxes
Board Puzzle Storage for Younger Kids
For younger kids who are doing wooden board puzzles, I really love using drawers.
You’ll often see upright puzzle racks, and while they look fine, they don’t actually contain anything. Little hands can still grab pieces through the sides, and suddenly half the puzzle is missing.
Drawers:
- Keep all the pieces together
- Prevent wandering puzzle parts
- Are easier to manage long-term
Storage needs to be effective more than it needs to be pretty. If racks work for your house, use them. But if you’re tired of rescuing puzzle pieces from under furniture, drawers are a great option.
Play Kitchen Storage That Doesn’t Overflow
Play kitchens are adorable.
Play kitchen accessories? Absolute chaos.
Tiny food, tiny utensils, tiny cups… there is so much stuff involved.
Open Basket Storage for Play Kitchen Accessories
I found this idea from @sarahguiler, and it’s one of my favorites.
She used a stacking tower with removable baskets, which makes it easy to organize kitchen items by category:
- food
- dishes
- cooking tools
You can also use produce racks like the ones you can find on Amazon or sometimes Costco. Same concept, same benefits.
What I love about this setup is that it’s:
- open
- visual
- easy for kids to use
When you’re organizing toys, it’s important to think about your kids’ ages and abilities. The goal is for them to clean up eventually — not for you to create a system that only works when you maintain it.
Toy Car and Truck Storage for Every Size Collection
Car toys deserve their own section because Hot Wheels, monster trucks, and tractors all need different solutions.
Hot Wheels Storage for Collectors
This idea (also from @lifeinjeneral) uses a dedicated Hot Wheels storage case.
And honestly? Sometimes you just need the thing that’s made for the thing.
If your child collects Hot Wheels:
- they don’t want them scratched
- they want to see what they have
- they want it to feel special
This is one of those cases where a purpose-built organizer really does make life easier.
Monster Truck Wall Storage That Doubles as Display
For monster trucks, I loved this idea from Not Just Amanda.
She used picture rails to create a wall display for her child’s monster truck collection.
And let me tell you — my brothers would’ve lost their minds over this. My husband probably would too.
Yes, it’s visual.
Yes, it’s not hidden storage.
But out of sight really does mean out of mind. Kids are way more likely to play with toys they can see. It’s okay for a playroom to prioritize function over aesthetics.
Large Truck and Tractor Storage Using Vertical Space
For big toys like fire trucks, tractors, and construction vehicles, I loved this idea from The Mindful Organizers.
She used a shoe rack to store them.
It:
- keeps everything organized
- uses vertical space
- minimizes tripping hazards (at least a little)
This is such a practical solution for bulky toys that never seem to fit neatly in bins.
Outdoor Toy Storage That’s Easy to Clean
Outdoor toys don’t need to be precious. They’re going to get dirty no matter what.
Simple Bin Storage for Outdoor Toys
Creator @nattiejopo used large laundry or beverage tubs and just tossed everything in.
It’s easy, it’s practical, and when it gets gross, you can hose it out or pressure wash it.
Racks and Carts for Balls and Outdoor Gear
You can also take inspiration from @busytoddler and use:
- garage carts
- ball racks
- beverage carts
If your kids are obsessed with balls — basketballs, footballs, bouncy balls — having a designated rack can actually save space compared to stuffing everything into one giant bin.
Quick tip: store water toys in a laundry basket so they can drain and dry properly.
Seasonal Book Storage That Makes Rotation Easy
We love books in our house, but seasonal books don’t need to live on the shelf year-round.
Clear Storage for Holiday and Seasonal Books
I loved how @hellomrshubbard organized seasonal books in clear plastic containers.
You can:
- store them under beds
- keep them on a closet shelf
- label them by holiday
Because they’re clear, it’s easy to see what’s inside, and rotating books for different seasons becomes aaaaalmost effortless.
Doll Storage That’s Visual and Easy to Maintain
Barbie Doll Wall Storage
I saw another creator use narrow wall-mounted containers — similar to picture ledges — to line up Barbie-style dolls.
I love this because:
- dolls stay visible
- kids can grab and put them away easily
- nothing gets buried in a bin
Small Doll and Figurine Storage
For Little People-style dolls, pine cones and pacifiers used a container to organize them all together.
This is where it’s important to think about how your kids play. Sometimes it makes more sense to store small dolls with their sets instead of in one big container.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — the best system is the one your family actually uses.
Dress-Up Storage Kids Can Actually Handle
This is one of my favorite ideas.
I loved what @homelovetoledo did for dress-up clothes.
Instead of cute racks with hangers (which look great but are hard for kids), she used laundry hampers on a rack.
Why this works so well:
- kids can grab what they want
- no hangers to deal with
- cleanup is as easy as tossing items back in
- when it’s time to wash, you just grab a hamper
It’s just so so practical all around.
Storage for Blocks, Large Legos, and Bulky Toys
For blocks, large Legos, Lincoln Logs, and other bulky toys, I love play mat storage bags.
They:
- define a play area
- keep pieces contained
- pull closed quickly
- store easily when you’re done
Cleanup is faster, which makes everyone (especially mom) happier.
Storage for Tonies, Play-Doh, and Small Toys
For Tonies, I loved the idea of using a lazy Susan with magnets to keep figurines visible and safe.
For Play-Doh, Life with Laney used a craft box:
- tools organized on top
- dough and mat stored below
- everything contained in one place
For small toys and board games, classic file box organizers work beautifully in cube shelves.
Another great option is drawstring bags inside a lidded hamper — especially if you rotate toys. (WARNING: do not use drawstring bags around small children at risk of strangulation.)
The Final Piece: A Cleanup System That Actually Works
If toys exist, cleanup needs a system.
My final tip is having assigned baskets for each child stored somewhere central in your home.
As toys wander:
- kids can gather their own
- or you can help, depending on age
- everything goes back where it belongs
One of my favorite ways to teach kids how to clean (and make it less painful) is using my Cowboy Cleanup podcast routines. They guide kids through cleaning using themed audio shows and weekly routines — and they actually make it fun.
I have free episodes you can try, and I’ll link those for you.
And stay tuned — the my next post is all about getting motivated to clean after the holidays, especially heading into February when everything feels heavy and the momentum is gone.
We’ll tackle that together too. 💛