Whether you have a lot of children or just one, you’ve probably experienced some level of disorganization with their toys, especially when it comes to the ones they use outside. Their toys have to share the garage with at least one family car—maybe even two—as well as bikes, yard tools, and whatever else you’re storing out there. Getting everything to fit just right is never easy, so check out this guide on how to organize your child’s outdoor toys in a way that makes everyone happy.
Buy Some Storage Racks and Wall Hooks
The best way to start this process is to find a way to get all their toys off the ground. With cars in the garage, you have very little floor space to work with. That’s why you need to raise things up where you can.
Multi-tiered racks and wall hooks are the best way to do this. They will give you more room to store your kid’s toys while using the same space you originally had. Just make sure you keep everything low enough that your child can reach it. If their bike is hanging from the ceiling, the chances that they’ll ever use it will drop significantly.
Store Toys Outside When You Can
If you still don’t have enough room, the next best thing to do is find some toys that you can store outside with minimal risk of damage or loss. Bikes and sports equipment are the go-to choices here. Get a bike rack for your child’s bike. A simple bike lock can keep it secure.
You can probably leave some larger sports equipment out in the backyard, such as a soccer goal. Put smaller pieces of equipment into an outdoor storage bin or shed. These can withstand the elements and usually have a place to install a padlock to keep all of your kid’s gear secure.
Put Unneeded Things Into Deep Storage
One mistake many parents make with their children’s toys is not switching them out according to the season. Instead, they just leave everything out all year long. While this is the easier option, it’s not great for space management.
For example, your child won’t be able to use their electric ride-on motorcycle in the winter with all that ice and snow. If you put it in your shed or basement during that time, that will free up a lot of garage space for sleds and other snow toys.
Get Rid of Some Stuff
One last way to organize your child’s outdoor toys is simply to get rid of ones they aren’t using anymore. Whether your child has outgrown them or doesn’t like playing with them anymore, keeping these items in your garage is doing you no good. They’re just taking vital space away from more deserving toys. You (or, more likely, your child) might find it difficult to part with some of them, but it’ll be worth it in the end.