The Small Storage Bins This Dad of Three Is Obsessed With

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My two older daughters have an obsession with small toy sets and craft supplies. They’d love to have their favorite toys within reach all the time, but their little two-year-old sister can’t be trusted. Because all three girls share a play space, and because the playroom in our NYC apartment measures 6.5 feet wide by 14 feet long, we have a toy/art supply setup in our kitchen pantry. On the higher shelves we store messy art supplies, sensory activities, and board games (they have to ask us for help reaching these items); learning materials and puzzles go on shelves the older girls can reach; and the lowest shelves have toddler toys, instruments, and small toy sets that all three girls can reach independently. 

Here are the containers I use to keep all those toy sets and art supplies organized!

These Iris medium plastic organizers measure 8.5 x 5.1 x 2.0 inches, and have a super compact design. They feature a snap-tight closure latch that remains attached to the bin, which means the lid won’t get lost! We’ve organized individual bins for scissors, tape, paint brushes, crayon and marker sets, colored pencils, washi tape, and more. I love that the snap-tight latch securely closes the supply box and that the boxes can stack on top of one another. These bins also feature a see through design so you’re able to clearly see what is organized inside. 

These Iris 5-quart storage bins measure 13 x 8 x 5 inches. These bins are great for shoe or kitchen storage, but they have also been the perfect size for larger art supplies and toy sets. We have a row of 12 bins stacked two high at the top of our pantry and they house paint, art smocks, stickers, beads, dot markers, and various block sets. They feature removable latching lids and have ridges on the top that allow them to securely stack on top of one another. 

To store larger toys, sensory supplies like Play-Doh, cardboard, and fabric scraps, we use the Iris 17-quart storage bins, which measure 17.5 x 12 x 7 inches. These bins are also stackable, see through, and have latching lids. They’re the depth of our shelves and help to maximize storage for our larger toys. They’re also the perfect height to slide under beds, if you need additional storage in your child’s bedroom.