Question of the Day: Organizing Outdoor Toys

by Mandi on June 17, 2009

source: ~Asturnut~

source: ~Asturnut~

How do you organize your outdoor toys?

Do you have a designated toy storage area?

Do you limit the number of outdoor toys your kids have?

Do you store sports equipment separately from everyday toys?

What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to storing outdoor toys?

What’s your best piece of advice for others trying to organize their outdoor toys?

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Tagged as: questions of the day

  • Mandi

    We don’t yet have an official toy storage bin or anything like that. We’ve been looking at a large Rubbermaid chest of some sort, but they’re more than we want to spend right now! For now, we keep the buckets and shovels in the bottom drawer of the grill, which unfortunately we have to empty when we want to actually use the grill because we’re afraid they will melt!

    Other than that, we don’t have many outdoor toys – a water table, a croquet set and a few balls round out the bunch. We find that our girls play much, much better when they have less toys (although I don’t think it would hurt to have another shovel or two), and they spend more time exploring, imagining and playing make believe this way too!

  • Mandi

    We don’t yet have an official toy storage bin or anything like that. We’ve been looking at a large Rubbermaid chest of some sort, but they’re more than we want to spend right now! For now, we keep the buckets and shovels in the bottom drawer of the grill, which unfortunately we have to empty when we want to actually use the grill because we’re afraid they will melt!

    Other than that, we don’t have many outdoor toys – a water table, a croquet set and a few balls round out the bunch. We find that our girls play much, much better when they have less toys (although I don’t think it would hurt to have another shovel or two), and they spend more time exploring, imagining and playing make believe this way too!

  • http://www.completeorganizingsolutions.com Tanna

    We have a large Rubbermaid tote that slides right under our deck and we put everything in there. We also have a Rubbermaid chest on top of our deck that holds the chair cushions and sometimes the kids will put toys in there which is ok during the summer but by winter I put everything back into the box under the deck. They also keep the most played with toys in the sand box during the summer because it has a lid.

  • http://www.completeorganizingsolutions.com Tanna

    We have a large Rubbermaid tote that slides right under our deck and we put everything in there. We also have a Rubbermaid chest on top of our deck that holds the chair cushions and sometimes the kids will put toys in there which is ok during the summer but by winter I put everything back into the box under the deck. They also keep the most played with toys in the sand box during the summer because it has a lid.

  • http://momsmagic.blogspot.com RLR

    We looked at a Rubbermaid bin or storage benches, but they were too pricey for our budget and took up too much space on our modestly-sized back porch. We opted for an inexpensive, rolling garbage bin – purchased specifically for the purpose of storing toys. It holds a large number of balls and other outdoor toys. And, although I prefer sand toys stay in the sandbox (they fit underneath the cover), they often end up in our toy bin, too. For around $20, it fit our budget, and our toys, perfectly!

    RLR’s last blog post…Convenient Scratch Baking

  • http://momsmagic.blogspot.com RLR

    We looked at a Rubbermaid bin or storage benches, but they were too pricey for our budget and took up too much space on our modestly-sized back porch. We opted for an inexpensive, rolling garbage bin – purchased specifically for the purpose of storing toys. It holds a large number of balls and other outdoor toys. And, although I prefer sand toys stay in the sandbox (they fit underneath the cover), they often end up in our toy bin, too. For around $20, it fit our budget, and our toys, perfectly!

    RLR’s last blog post…Convenient Scratch Baking

  • mary b

    On our farmer’s porch we have 2 of the Suncast Deck boxes for toys, a small one for the 5 yo and larger for the 10 yo. Most of the toys in them are sporting goods of some sort, and lawn games. Plus we keep an air pump in there for keeping things inflated.

    In our shed we keep the bikes/skateboards/scooters and also have a big Rubbermaid tub for the “wet” toys like beach stuff, bubbles, and squirt guns, and another one for the trucks and sandbox toys (well, the ones not currently in the sandbox). It is right next to the sandbox, so more convenient than going up to the porch for sand toys.
    All the winter toys are kept in the shed, too.

    My best advice is to try smaller containers to keep like toys together, just like many of us do inside!

  • mary b

    On our farmer’s porch we have 2 of the Suncast Deck boxes for toys, a small one for the 5 yo and larger for the 10 yo. Most of the toys in them are sporting goods of some sort, and lawn games. Plus we keep an air pump in there for keeping things inflated.

    In our shed we keep the bikes/skateboards/scooters and also have a big Rubbermaid tub for the “wet” toys like beach stuff, bubbles, and squirt guns, and another one for the trucks and sandbox toys (well, the ones not currently in the sandbox). It is right next to the sandbox, so more convenient than going up to the porch for sand toys.
    All the winter toys are kept in the shed, too.

    My best advice is to try smaller containers to keep like toys together, just like many of us do inside!

  • http://thesoundaras.blogspot.com Clara S.

    This is a great topic. I’d love to hear what others do with bikes, helmet, scooters, etc. We keep all that stuff in the garage but it is a mess. I’d like to hang it up but then the kids can’t reach it when they want to ride so it ends up being all piled together right behind the garage door. For our backyard toys (buckets, shovels, a few plastic bats and balls, jump ropes, etc) we got one of those large rubbermaid buckets with the big rope handles, drilled holes in the bottom and put everything in there. We slide the whole thing under the porch and since everything in there is plastic it doesn’t matter if it gets wet when it rains. The water drains out the bottom and the stuff dries quickly. We keep our toy amount limited to this bucket – if it starts to overflow then it’s time to get rid of some toys. As an aside, I’ve found that the best outside toys are recycled kitchen containers. My kids love to play with old pb jars, cool whip containers, etc. Most of these things have lids so it keeps there treasures safe and when they start to crack we just toss them in the recycle bin.

  • http://thesoundaras.blogspot.com Clara S.

    This is a great topic. I’d love to hear what others do with bikes, helmet, scooters, etc. We keep all that stuff in the garage but it is a mess. I’d like to hang it up but then the kids can’t reach it when they want to ride so it ends up being all piled together right behind the garage door. For our backyard toys (buckets, shovels, a few plastic bats and balls, jump ropes, etc) we got one of those large rubbermaid buckets with the big rope handles, drilled holes in the bottom and put everything in there. We slide the whole thing under the porch and since everything in there is plastic it doesn’t matter if it gets wet when it rains. The water drains out the bottom and the stuff dries quickly. We keep our toy amount limited to this bucket – if it starts to overflow then it’s time to get rid of some toys. As an aside, I’ve found that the best outside toys are recycled kitchen containers. My kids love to play with old pb jars, cool whip containers, etc. Most of these things have lids so it keeps there treasures safe and when they start to crack we just toss them in the recycle bin.

  • http://perfectsentiment.blogspot.com/ PS~Erin

    Oh goodness… My backyard currently looks like we have abt 7 kids. There are abt 8 balls strewn abt, along with bubbles, chalk, hoola hoops and more. We need to put an outdoor clean up time into the routine. I could definitely use some organizing tips in this area. It’s probably the only area we don’t have some organizational system to aid us.

    PS~Erin’s last blog post…Spending Hiatus: Filling the Gaps for Free

  • http://perfectsentiment.blogspot.com/ PS~Erin

    Oh goodness… My backyard currently looks like we have abt 7 kids. There are abt 8 balls strewn abt, along with bubbles, chalk, hoola hoops and more. We need to put an outdoor clean up time into the routine. I could definitely use some organizing tips in this area. It’s probably the only area we don’t have some organizational system to aid us.

    PS~Erin’s last blog post…Spending Hiatus: Filling the Gaps for Free

  • http://keilah76.blogspot.com Keilah

    Since we are currently staying with family and I am trying to keep things contained and to a minimum. So all of our sand toys/outside toys are in a pop-up net laundry bag. It is great because I can throw all of the toys in it and shake it out then it limits the sand in my car. Good question.

    Keilah’s last blog post…Pancake Saturday

  • http://keilah76.blogspot.com Keilah

    Since we are currently staying with family and I am trying to keep things contained and to a minimum. So all of our sand toys/outside toys are in a pop-up net laundry bag. It is great because I can throw all of the toys in it and shake it out then it limits the sand in my car. Good question.

    Keilah’s last blog post…Pancake Saturday

  • GRITS

    We have a huge Rubbermaid tote and a frog toy box for our back patio. I would have liked a deck box, but they were a little too spendy for me. It’s nice because everything fits in them and since they both have lids, rain and snow is not a problem either.

    The kids park their bikes in the garage. Their helmets (and sometimes shoes) go in the stacking baskets by the door. This is a new system for us and seems to be going good so far.

  • GRITS

    We have a huge Rubbermaid tote and a frog toy box for our back patio. I would have liked a deck box, but they were a little too spendy for me. It’s nice because everything fits in them and since they both have lids, rain and snow is not a problem either.

    The kids park their bikes in the garage. Their helmets (and sometimes shoes) go in the stacking baskets by the door. This is a new system for us and seems to be going good so far.

  • http://www.savingqueen.com Maria@SavingQueen.com

    I agree with many of your readers. I have been looking for a Rubbermaid product that can hold up to the outdoors, but they have been too pricey for me also. It would help to find a reasonably priced storage container that is waterproof or allows the water to drain from it.

    Maria@SavingQueen.com’s last blog post…Printable Food Lion Coupons

  • http://www.savingqueen.com Maria@SavingQueen.com

    I agree with many of your readers. I have been looking for a Rubbermaid product that can hold up to the outdoors, but they have been too pricey for me also. It would help to find a reasonably priced storage container that is waterproof or allows the water to drain from it.

    Maria@SavingQueen.com’s last blog post…Printable Food Lion Coupons

  • Mandi

    I love this idea, Keilah! I think I might be picking up one of these this weekend!

  • Mandi

    I love this idea, Keilah! I think I might be picking up one of these this weekend!

  • Mandi

    I’m laughing about the outdoor cleanup time, Erin, only because we seem to forget every day until everyone is inside and cleaned up. That’s the hardest part about routines – making them into habits in the first place!

  • Mandi

    I’m laughing about the outdoor cleanup time, Erin, only because we seem to forget every day until everyone is inside and cleaned up. That’s the hardest part about routines – making them into habits in the first place!

  • Mandi

    I love the idea of just using a large bucket with holes in the bottom too, Clara – it seems like a simple and easy way to clean up!

  • Mandi

    *My best advice is to try smaller containers to keep like toys together, just like many of us do inside!*

    Great advice, Mary!

  • Mandi

    I love the idea of just using a large bucket with holes in the bottom too, Clara – it seems like a simple and easy way to clean up!

  • Mandi

    *My best advice is to try smaller containers to keep like toys together, just like many of us do inside!*

    Great advice, Mary!

  • Mandi

    Y’all are so creative – this is a great idea for toy storage too! Does it have a lid to keep water out?

  • Mandi

    Y’all are so creative – this is a great idea for toy storage too! Does it have a lid to keep water out?

  • Mandy

    I just recently got so tired of toys all over my backyard that I found three old milk crates and hung them on the fence. It cost be about $6.00. One crate is for bats and balls, one for trucks, and one for kiddie pool toys. It has been working great! It’s the same organization system that’s in the house in their rooms…everything has it’s specific place. And the toys stay pretty nice because they are up off the ground when it rains. Before, they would get muddy and gross, and I’d have to spray down the toys far too often. Now my yard always looks nice and only a few toys are out at a time.

  • Mandy

    I just recently got so tired of toys all over my backyard that I found three old milk crates and hung them on the fence. It cost be about $6.00. One crate is for bats and balls, one for trucks, and one for kiddie pool toys. It has been working great! It’s the same organization system that’s in the house in their rooms…everything has it’s specific place. And the toys stay pretty nice because they are up off the ground when it rains. Before, they would get muddy and gross, and I’d have to spray down the toys far too often. Now my yard always looks nice and only a few toys are out at a time.

  • http://www.overcomingbusy.com Marci

    We just put “picking up the outside toys” on the kids’ chore charts. It was seriously getting out of hand. We just put all the plastic trucks and buckets in the sand box. The sidewalk chalk, bubbles, squirt guns and such go in a small rubbermaid container in the garage. The rubber balls and jump ropes get stored in the radio flyer wagon, which stinks when you want to use the wagon!! What we really need is storage for all the bikes and scooters and tricycles!!!

    Marci’s last blog post…Technical difficulties resolved!!!

  • http://www.overcomingbusy.com Marci

    We just put “picking up the outside toys” on the kids’ chore charts. It was seriously getting out of hand. We just put all the plastic trucks and buckets in the sand box. The sidewalk chalk, bubbles, squirt guns and such go in a small rubbermaid container in the garage. The rubber balls and jump ropes get stored in the radio flyer wagon, which stinks when you want to use the wagon!! What we really need is storage for all the bikes and scooters and tricycles!!!

    Marci’s last blog post…Technical difficulties resolved!!!

  • Kim

    We put the helmets on the bikes! When the kids are done riding they hand their helmets on the handlebars. The bikes have a corner in the garage where they are parked so they take up unusable floor space.

  • Kim

    We put the helmets on the bikes! When the kids are done riding they hand their helmets on the handlebars. The bikes have a corner in the garage where they are parked so they take up unusable floor space.

  • http://www.ballclaw.com John Kurcheski

    You may want to try this Sports Ball Holder..

    It is called the Ball Claw, which is an individual sports ball holder. It comes in 3 different sizes (Basketball, Soccer/Volleyball and Football.. Please check it out at: http://www.ballclaw.com
    I have been selling them for about 4 years, and have had great response.. “Parents Love what they look like on the Wall” and the “Kids Love using them…”

    MADE IN U.S.A!

    I recently got into the October issue of REALSIMPLE, HGTV and TBS… Would love to hear your thoughts..?

  • http://www.ballclaw.com John Kurcheski

    You may want to try this Sports Ball Holder..

    It is called the Ball Claw, which is an individual sports ball holder. It comes in 3 different sizes (Basketball, Soccer/Volleyball and Football.. Please check it out at: http://www.ballclaw.com
    I have been selling them for about 4 years, and have had great response.. “Parents Love what they look like on the Wall” and the “Kids Love using them…”

    MADE IN U.S.A!

    I recently got into the October issue of REALSIMPLE, HGTV and TBS… Would love to hear your thoughts..?

  • http://www.toddlerrideontoys.net/ Tina

    I designate an area in the back of the garage for all of our outdoor toys. I do have to say that the area is pretty full right now and we’re getting ready to shop for new toys for this summer. We’re thinking of getting bike racks to lift the bikes off the floor and on to the walls to make more room.
    .-= Tina´s last blog ..The Little Tikes Pony =-.

  • http://www.toddlerrideontoys.net/ Tina

    I designate an area in the back of the garage for all of our outdoor toys. I do have to say that the area is pretty full right now and we’re getting ready to shop for new toys for this summer. We’re thinking of getting bike racks to lift the bikes off the floor and on to the walls to make more room.
    .-= Tina´s last blog ..The Little Tikes Pony =-.

  • http://outdoorplaytoys.com Jill C

    We have a great big plastic toy box outside – everything fits in their perfectly! The bigger pieces we store in the bottom of her play set where the sandbox used to be! Clean yard = happy mom!

  • http://outdoorplaytoys.com Jill C

    We have a great big plastic toy box outside – everything fits in their perfectly! The bigger pieces we store in the bottom of her play set where the sandbox used to be! Clean yard = happy mom!

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