Ideas for organizing Outdoor Toys

Ideas for Storing and Organizing Outdoor Toys

In this post we are sharing creative and practical solutions for storing and organizing your preschool outdoor toys.
From maximizing space to protecting your toys, these ideas will help you maintain a tidy and functional outdoor play area while keeping it easily accessible for your preschoolers.

When it comes to enjoying the outdoors, having a collection of outdoor toys is a must! Keeping preschool toys and equipment organized and clean can be a daunting task. With the right storage solutions, you can keep everything in its place and ensure that your young learners are able to access their favorite playthings whenever they want and easily put them away when they are done.
The process for creating an organization system for your outdoor space can be done all at once or in stages, whichever works best for you!

Observe

An important first step is to observe how your preschoolers are currently using their outdoor space. Is there a specific play they gather to use the hula hoops? Taking their current patterns into consideration can help to make the process a success.
Also note what they are doing when they are done playing with a toy, what toys seem to be untouched, which toys are favorites, and any obstacles that your preschoolers are encountering when playing or cleaning up.

De-clutter

Discard Broken, duplicate, worn out, and Unwanted toys.
Consider the condition of your toys,  the ages you provide care for, and the number of children in your care.  If you find yourself with too many outdoor toys, but aren't ready to give them up, consider rotating them. Just like in the classroom this helps with engagement.

Group Like Items

Organizing the outdoor play space is just as important as having an organized indoor learning space. Grouping like items together supports preschoolers in knowing where to find their favorite toys and knowing where to put them away when they are done.

Plastic and Metal Bins

One great option for storing outdoor preschool toys is to use a large plastic bin with a lid. This type of container is perfect for keeping toys protected from the elements and can be easily stacked in a storage shed or garage. Consider labeling the bin with a picture or word to help children identify which toys are inside.

Great bins can be found at Target, Wal-Mart, and Home-Depot and they are easy to stack so that you can maximize space while being able to store your larger items. If you choose to use a shelf be sure to secure it doesn't fall over on children.
Combine containers with outdoor shelves to maximize space. 
When selecting outdoor storage options consider the material. Choose Bins or Buckets that can withstand the weather, and remember to drill holes for drainage.
These open bins from Domestic Charm are fantastic, open tops make it easier for preschoolers to clean up and the lids are available to pop on if needed.

Domestic Charm

Another option is using containers like milk crates (purchase at home improvement stores) if you would rather not use lids.

Source: Moosha Girl

Having storage for loose parts is a great idea, preschoolers love to collect all kinds of random things. Designating a space for them like our friend Lori C helps keep the space tidy.

Lori C

Hanging Shoe Organizer

Another idea is to use a hanging shoe organizer to store smaller toys and equipment. Hanging shoe organizers are inexpensive and really easy to find,  This is a great solution for keeping items like balls, jump ropes, and sidewalk chalk separate and easy to access. Simply hang the organizer on a fence or wall and let the children grab what they need. We love how easy it is to transport and you can bring it back indoors to hang when it's not being used. 

Storing Water and Sand Toys

Sand and water toys can be a challenge for storage, they need storage that allows for the sand and drops of water to strain out through the bottom. Here are a few solutions.

A wooden crate is a great option as it is portable and allows for debris to fall through the bottom.

Our friends at Gingerbread Playhouse shared this photo of their space. The hooks are perfect for hanging shovels and the laundry basket is a great solution for sand and water toys.

Lori C. shared this photo, she used planters that attach to a vertical space for her sand and water toys.

Milk crates are another great portable solution and are now easily available at most hardware stores.

Mesh Laundry Bags are an excellent choice for storing outdoor toys, especially sand and water toys. If you have a lot of sports equipment like balls and frisbees, consider using a mesh laundry bag to keep everything together. This type of bag is perfect for allowing air to circulate and keeping toys separate and easy to access. Mesh laundry bags are also very easy to transport and store which is great if you use multiple locations like an all purpose room, gym, and outdoor area.
Teacher Tip: Mesh bags are also a great tool for sanitizing large batches of toys at a time.

DIY Storage Ideas

Mobile Toy Cart

For preschools with limited outdoor space, a rolling cart can be a great way to keep toys organized and easy to move from one location to another. Simply load up the cart with toys and equipment and wheel it out to the play area when it's time for outdoor play. Rolling carts can be used for so many different reasons and they work great for transporting items. Switch off letting preschoolers choose what items they want to bring and have them assist with loading the cart!

Shanty-2-Chic

This DIY Kids Car Garage posted on Mom Endeavors. is fantastic. With a few modifications you could create a similar structure over outdoor shelving as well.

Source: Mom Endeavors

Toy Garage

Storage Bench

This DIY storage shed from We're Parents is super cute and wereparents.com supplies all the necessary information and step-by-step building instructions!

Source: We're Parents

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DIY Bench If you decide to build a unit for storage, consider outdoor benches that serve a dual purpose of seating and Outdoor toy storage! If DIY is not your thing a deck box also works great!

Source: The Handyman's Daughter

Other options

Deck Boxes

Deck boxes and storage benches are storage solutions that provide a ton of space for various outdoor toys. They are weather-resistant containers come in different sizes and designs to suit your specific needs. They are perfect for storing items like balls, outdoor cushions, inflatable toys, and smaller play equipment. Deck boxes can often be a more expensive solution but they are durable and you can get lots of life out of them.

Sheds

Consider a shed if space allows. . This solution can be a bit more expensive, but it offers the benefit of being able to store larger items like bikes, scooters, and ride-on toys. This solution is especially great if you live in a climate that experiences colder temperatures, rain, and snow. Storage sheds allow you to also lock your stuff which is great if you are using a shared space. Another great option for protecting your equipment and outdoor toys! Grove House Reno built this one and has a tutorial for anyone handy enough to build their own!

For preschools with vertical space (a fence or free wall) using a vertical garage storage system to keep everything organized and easy to access. This type of rack can be attached to a wall or fence and is perfect for keeping items off the ground and out of the way. Many of these systems can be cut and customized for your space, and include a variety of hanging options such as hooks, or wire shelves. We love this solution especially for areas that get to utilize their outdoors areas all year long! It's a great way to keep things organized and protected.

Another portable option is a canvas storage bag.  This type of bag is perfect for storing larger items like tents and tunnels and can be easily transported from one location to another. You can find some that have handles which makes it great for storing and transporting from different areas. 

Keep it Tidy

Supporting your preschoolers in understanding where items go and getting in the routine of putting toys back when done with them is one of the more challenging parts. Reducing inventory, grouping items together, and using simple storage solutions that kids can find and use on their own are all an important part!

By using these creative storage solutions, you can keep all of your outdoor preschool toys organized and easy to access. By investing in proper storage, you'll protect your toys from damage, create a clutter-free outdoor environment, and ensure organization for all of your preschool toys!Whether you have a large outdoor space or a small one, there's a storage solution that's perfect for your needs.

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