Toy Storage

I wasn't sure if this was more kid stuff or craft stuff, but since it involved me being at least a little creative, I put it here.  The kids' toy area has been bugging me for a long time.  I didn't have enough boxes and we had too many toys.  I pulled out lots of things that they never play with and made a list of all the things that still needed boxes.  I hit The Container Store and bought 6 more small boxes, one medium shoe box, 4 hooks, and a plate rack.  Here is the finished product:

Yike! We have a lot of stuff. Believe it or not, there is still room for at least 3 more small boxes and one shoe box is empty.

A slightly better look at more of the play area.

Where I used the hooks.  I'm thinking about adding one more between the hat and the dustpan.

For the labels, I found some stock images, sized them, then added the words.  I printed them on regular paper and attached them to the boxes by putting packing tape over the top of them.

Here are the puppets on their wood plate stand.  The stand is nearly impossible to see, but it keeps the puppets together and from spilling all over the place.

My other cleaver storage solution: the puzzles are in stacked paper trays.  It makes them much easier to get to and most of the puzzles fit well.  Some of the baby puzzles are too chunky, so they sit on top.

We'll see how long this stays nice and organized, but for now (just a few hours in) the kids are doing a great job of putting things back.  Part of the reorganization included moving some things that they were tired of up high and bringing some new things down low where they can reach them.