12 Best Toy Organizers to Keep the Clutter in Check
All parents can attest: Kids acquire a lot of stuff. Once that happens, the question becomes, where to put it all? Not only does having heaps of toys scattered around the room clash with your home decor, but keeping toys well organized and smartly displayed will encourage kids to engage with them more, and develop independence as they get and put away their playthings on their own, says Naeemah Goldson, certified professional organizer and owner of Restore Order Professional Organizing. “Teaching kids how to return items to their rightful place when they are done playing will build positive habits in organization that they can use throughout life.”
Plus, toys that are strewn about the floor can also pose some safety concerns. (Yep, stepping on stray Legos really hurts that much.) Sick of tripping over your little one’s playthings? We’ve come to the rescue with toy organizers for every area of your home—indoors and out. Read on for our favorite toy storage solutions, as well as some expert-backed top tidying tips.
The best toy organizers help clean up clutter in your home, while also making the toys you already have more accessible to your child. Organizing solutions are often an investment, making these items that you want to choose wisely. To choose the best toy storage solutions:
- We consulted with three organizing experts for their input on important features to look for in these items and the kinds of products they use in their own homes.
- We analyzed the market and tracked down the most popular toy organizers, narrowing the field based on elements like size, material, durability and value.
- We considered reviews from real parents, and only products with average reviews of four or more stars made the final cut.
- Since many of us are parents ourselves, we relied on our experiences with our own children and their toys.
Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.
Best shelving for toys
- Sleek design
- Has roomy hidden storage, too
- Perfect for rotating toys
- Expensive
- Requires solid amount of floor space
A toy shelf is a great way to display just a few toys at once, so your little one can easily pick and choose what they’d like to play with and then put it away once they’re finished. “Object permanence prevents children from utilizing their toys as often if they are hidden in out-of-sight toy storage,” says Veronica Hanson, a minimalist coach at Nomad Veronica LLC. “The best way to organize toys is to display them visually.” That’s the idea behind the Montessori method of teaching, and it’s the inspiration behind this wooden playshelf from Lovevery. Built with sturdy birchwood, this setup features a large shelf and two smaller cubes for storing toys, supplies and books.
Dimensions: 41" (L) x 23" (W) x 20.5" (H) | Weight: 90 lbs. | Material: Birch wood
Best toy storage with bins
- Pretty colors
- Different bin sizes
- Removable bins
- Small bins don’t fit larger toys
Need a lot of toy storage space? Consider this mega toy storage with bins. The bins are movable and stackable to really customize your toy organization, and the entire unit also coordinates with other B. spaces by Battat furniture for a seamless kids’ room design.
Dimensions: 35" (L) x 14" (W) x 26.2" (H) | Weight: 15 lbs. | Material: Plastic, composite wood
Best storage for small toys
- Low profile
- Easy to move
- Durable construction
- Pricey
- Bins may be too small for some
This popular toy storage organizer isn't just a parent favorite, it's also a favorite of Goldson. “This is the exact toy sorter I have,” she says. “It’s durable and I’ve had it for 10 years. I love it because the bins are small, and they can fit the little action figures my youngest son plays with.” The storage solution features 12 brightly colored bins that are displayed at an angle, making it easy for kids to see what’s inside. The sturdy plastic construction also raises the odds this organizer will hold up to regular use.
Dimensions: 37.5" (L) x 14" (W) x 27.5" (H) | Weight: 19 lbs. | Material: Plastic
Best toy basket
- Adorable look
- Good size range
- Easy to move
- Expensive
- Bins collapse when empty
Pehr makes tons of fun kids’ toy storage bins, so poke around to find the perfect style. We personally love this set of pom-pom toy baskets in assorted sizes that come in a range of colors! If mauve doesn’t match your vibe, Pehr also offers these cute toy baskets in multicolor, blush, marigold, gray, sage, light blue and dark blue.
Dimensions: 8" (W) x 7" (H) (mini); 10" (W) x 9" (H) inches (pint); 13" (W) x 12" (H) | Weight: N/A | Material: 100 percent cotton canvas
Best large toy box
- Generous size
- Folds up when not in use
- Waterproof
- Not sturdy enough to sit on
Most organizational experts don’t recommend tossing a bunch of toys into a huge toy box, since it doesn’t encourage kids to engage with their playthings—but sometimes you just need a break from the clutter. If you’re looking for a huge toy box that can ensure a speedy clean-up, this oversized box is the one for you. At more than three feet long, it’s got the capacity you need to fit just about everything (including dress-up costumes!).
Dimensions: 40.6" (L) x 14.2" (W) x 16.5" (H) | Weight: 8.9 lbs. | Material: Cardboard, Oxford fabric
Best small toy box
- Petite size
- Built-in handles
- Easy for kids to open and close
- Won’t support a child’s weight
Whether floor space is limited or you just want to put a few toys out of sight, sometimes a smaller toy box is needed. This adorable option from 3 Sprouts is just 24 inches wide, giving you enough space to hold a few items. The lightweight lid can be easily opened and closed by little hands, too. Handles on the sides make it easy to move around as needed. If the sweet sloth design isn’t for you, choose from an array of other adorable animal themes.
Dimensions: 24" (L) x 14.5" (W) x 15" (H) | Weight: 5 lbs. | Material: Polyester, chipboard
Best outdoor toy storage box
- Good capacity
- Weather-resistant
- Top can double as a seat
- No locking feature
If those toys are headed outside, opt for this water-resistant outdoor toy storage box. Reviewers rave about its ability to keep water (and pests!) out, so no matter how much it rains or how many mosquitos are out and about, those precious toys will stay protected.
Dimensions: 46" (L) x 23.6" (W) x 25.5" (H) | Weight: 39.5 lbs. | Material: Resin
Best bath toy storage
- Good for small spaces
- Matches with everything
- Dries toys easily
- Suction cup can unstick periodically
This concept is so smart: Simply scoop up your kids’ toys from the bath water using the handy mesh pouch, then mount it to the wall and let them drip dry. It’s the perfect bath toy storage solution for families with limited bathroom floor space—no need to squeeze another basket or bin into the corner! I’ve had this in my daughter’s tub for a year, and it’s held up nicely. The mesh is surprisingly durable, despite being constantly poked at with toys.
Dimensions: 10” (L) X 6” (W) X 12” (H) | Weight: 6.2 ounces | Material: Plastic, mesh
Best toy storage bench
- Multi-functional
- Large capacity
- Sleek design
- Larger footprint
- Assembly may take time
How about storage for toys that also includes a place to sit and play? Seems like a win-win to us! This pretty white kids’ toy chest from Melissa and Doug checks all the boxes (no pun intended). It boasts more than eight cubic feet of storage space, plus a handy place to sit that includes a backrest for added comfort. Toss some pads or pillows on top for a great reading spot as your little ones get older.
Dimensions: 32.8" (L) x 19" (W) x 24" (H) | Weight: 29 lbs. | Material: Wood
Best clear toy box
- Easy to see inside
- Wheels make it mobile
- Collapsible
- Not big enough for some
These clear toy boxes are stackable, movable, collapsible and multi-functional—who says you can’t have it all? The clear plastic allows you and your little one to see what’s inside, and when they’re ready to play, there’s no need to shuffle things around; your tot can easily open the bin from the side to grab what they want to play with. Easily move the bins from room to room thanks to the maneuverable wheels, and whenever your kiddo is old enough to get rid of those toys, simply collapse the bin until it’s ready for its next use.
Dimensions: 19.3" (L) x 12.2" (W) x 11.8" (H) per box | Weight: 10 lbs. | Material: Plastic
Best personalized toy box
- Good capacity
- Can double as a seat
- Customizable
- Pricey
This popular toy box allows you to customize the font style and color to create a container that feels right for your child. You get up to 12 characters to write your child’s name, initials or a special saying that will be emblazoned on the front. The seller also offers boxes in different colors, styles and even with seat cushions for the lid if that’s more your style.
Dimensions: 30" (L) x 18" (W) x 19.3" (H) | Weight: N/A | Material: Composite wood
Best stackable toy storage
- Stackable design
- Can add bins as needed
- Easy access for kids
- Bin finish may transfer on rubber toys
This chic and understated unit offers multiple toy storage options thanks to cubbies that come as a single, double or triple unit to fit your needs. Did we mention it’s stackable? Use with other toy organizers or stack several of these together to ensure everything has its own special place.
Dimensions: 47.2" (L) x 15.8" (W) x 16.5" (H) | Weight: 14.3 lbs. | Material: MDF wood
The right toy storage ultimately depends on your own needs, as well as those of your child. “The solution you use totally depends on your child’s age, the amount of toys you’re dealing with and the amount of storage space you have available,” says Brenna Peyton, owner and lead organizer of One Organized Girl. “The younger your child is, the more simplistic the system should be and, as they grow and learn, the system should, too.” However, there are certain factors to keep in mind as you shop. Look for these elements.
- Size. If space is limited, Peyton recommends measuring the area where you’ll put your storage solution to make sure it will fit. “For super tight spaces, a system may have to forgo form and instead be heavy on the function,” she says. “The amount of space you have should also guide the volume of toys there are as well.” Goldson says that it’s OK for larger items to sit out. “Just pick the space for it to live and make sure it’s put back at the end of the night,” she says.
- Versatility. It’s ultimately more cost-saving to choose an option that you can use for years. “When you’re looking at storage furniture, you want something that can grow with your child, is versatile enough to work in multiple areas of your home and is well made,” Peyton says. “The super cute princess storage bin shelves and systems are great when they’re four, but realize that when they’re nine, the child is going to want something more grown-up.”
- Durability. There are a range of fabrics and materials for toy organization, but you’ll want to choose wisely. “You want to make sure the storage solution is durable so it can hold up over time,” Goldson points out. Plastic, wood and canvas are all durable options to consider.
- Adjustability. Not every storage solution is adjustable, but it’s a nice feature to have. “If you have a shelving system, being able to move the shelves to the height you want them at can help customize your organization,” Goldson says.
Goldson also recommends revisiting the toys you’re storing on an annual basis. “Kids outgrow toys quickly, but they also accumulate toys quickly,” she says. “When you’re deciding what to purge, make sure your kids are involved in the decision making if they are old enough.” Once you decide which toys you no longer want to keep, they can be donated or tossed, depending on their condition.
About the writer:
Korin Miller is a freelance writer who’s written dozens of health features for The Bump. She specializes in commerce, wellness and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Women’s Health, Forbes, SELF and more. Korin is mom to four kids, ranging in age from 1 to 10 years old. She has a master’s degree from American University and lives by the beach.
Naeemah Goldson is a certified professional organizer and owner of Restore Order Professional Organizing. She is also the founder of the National Association for Black Professional Organizers and the host of the Organize Me! Radio podcast.
Veronica Hanson is a minimalist coach at Nomad Veronica LLC. She’s a blogger, minimalist, nomad and travel hacker.
Breena Peyton is the owner and lead professional organizer of One Organized Girl, a home services company based in Nashville, Tennessee.
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