17 Clever Storage Ideas for Toys and Kids Gear

Kristy Pepping:  Reading is great for kids of all ages, but bookshelves can be hard for little kids to reach their books. This shelf is low to the ground and colorful! It makes organizing and selecting books easy and fun!

A stylish and functional solution for taming stuffed animal clutter. It doubles as a cozy bean bag chair and a spacious storage container, keeping stuffed animals organized and out of sight.

Shila:  Parents will tell you that hanging shoe organizers aren't just for shoes, they also act as awesome toy organizers for kids! Use each compartment as needed and shut the closet door to keep them out of sight. These products are super affordable storage ideas, too.

Many family playrooms (and preschools and daycares) are outfitted with these popular organizer racks for stuffed animals, books, arts and crafts - and Legos! The open-faced storage bins are angled for easy viewing and allow for a quick and easy way to tidy up with a simple toss. The bins themselves also pull down for easy transport to the floor or a play table.

Shila:  Neatly store stuffed animals with these toy organizers for kids. Hang these hammocks above the bed or in any corner of the room. These type of storage ideas for toys and kids gear up to help keep floor space clutter free!

Shila:  Take puzzle organization out of drawers or bins where puzzle pieces get tossed around and misplaced. I love this wire puzzle rack from Melissa & Doug for a clean and stackable puzzle storage option. It holds 12 board puzzles.

Shila:  Just like at the salon, these multi-tiered nail polish racks can store dozens of bottles at home too. The acrylic rack can be placed under the sink, or on a desk or dresser as a neat bedroom display. I think this is a cool gift for tweens or teens, paired with more kid-friendly nail polish of course!

Shila:  The universe has created one of the best toy organizers for kids by developing a mess-free solution to playing with Legos and other small tinker toys! A two-in-one-deal, this storage unit's lid transforms into an actual play mat too. This means that fewer pieces find themselves lost on the floor or wedged in the carpet.

When playtime is over, the mat easily funnels all the toys back into the bag for safe keeping.

Check out even more Lego storage solutions parents swear by!

Shila:  When kids are into collecting, whether it be a fun hobby or for the latest toy trend, first-rate storage ideas are key. These toy organizers for kids hold and display many small collections, and are great "briefcases" to take on-the-go while playing at friends' houses, too. Be sure to check the dimensions of the case to ensure size compatibility with whatever figurines you wish to store (i.e., Legos, LOL Dolls, Shopkins, Calico Critters, Hatchimals, etc.).

Shila:  These multipurpose bins on wheels act as awesome storage ideas for toys; imagine each bin holding something new. I would recommend using it as a creative station: crayons in one, markers in another, colored pencils, gel pens, rubber stamps, etc.

Shila:  Jewelry boxes are fine, but don't underestimate how many pieces easily get tangled up one confined space. To reduce those knotted-headaches, try arranging your child's jewelry on a wall pegboard instead. Each charmed necklace, friendship bracelet, scrunchie, etc., gets displayed on their own hook. It's a cute décor idea, too!

Shila:  Parents often invest in a wardrobe rack for costumes - and for good reason too! Year after year, toddlers and kids seem to accumulate more and more dress-up clothes. From Halloween to dance recital get-ups, organize all your accessories and rack them in sight. Kids will always know to return here for imaginative play!

Shila:  These 4-foot high cubby lockers are for designed school and home use! The storage shelves and hooks are perfect for backpacks, lunch boxes, computer bags, uniforms, etc. Depending on your home layout, this storage unit can be placed in your hallway, mudroom, garage, even a bedroom. They are paintable, too!

Shila:  Storing sphere-shaped balls in a box or bin is never ideal. This sports organizer keeps balls on a rack and has buckets for bats, rackets, helmets, etc., to be stored in one convenient place for the family. Use it in the garage, basement, or playroom. It comes with wheels for easy around-the-yard play, too.

Shila:  Beyond the bulky beach bag, this is a great pool backpack for kids to be organized. Use it for swim lessons, the pool, or a fun day at the waterpark. It includes wet and dry storage compartments for swim attire, towels, goggles, flip flops, sunscreen, and more.