Toys, toys, and more toys! We have twin toddlers and there are days (many days) where toys are covering every square inch of our home! Part of why it feels like toys are everywhere is because we have boy-girl twins, so double the toys. Between toys for him, toys for her, and toys they play with together, it adds up quickly.
After many months of frustration over bending over to pick up a million toys everyday, I finally landed on a toy storage system that works for our family. It’s simple, flexible, and doesn’t make our house feel like a daycare. I keep things minimal with one extra large rope basket for stuffed animals and six storage bins with bamboo lids for rotating toys. To further keep things contained, I use clear storage cases with a zipper.
Why Toddler Toy Storage Needs to Be Simple
Toddlers thrive on independence, but they also thrive on simplicity. Honestly, I need simplicity too! I’ve watched countless hours of The Minimal Mom and I have learned from her that being more organized is not the goal, but having less inventory to manage is the goal. It should not take hours to organize kids toys, or anything in the house for that matter.
Simple storage systems help toddlers:
- Learn age-appropriate responsibility
- Recognize that their toys have a home
- Start to understand categories
- Learn organization skills
Simple storage systems help parents:
- Less daily overwhelm
- Faster clean-up
- Reduces decision fatigue
- Creates a calmer home environment
- Allows more energy for what matters
Benefits of Minimal Toy Storage
I am sure there may be days where you ask yourself, “Why bother picking up the toys when my toddlers are just going to make a new mess of them tomorrow?” I know it is overwhelming and frustrating to have to pick up the same toys every. single. day. But hear me out - your efforts are not in vain. You are demonstrating to your children how to be tidy, responsible, and how to take care of their possessions. Whether you realize it or not, they’re learning what it looks like to care for their home because they see mama doing it every day.
Less daily overwhelm
When there are fewer bins, labels, and systems to manage, your brain gets a break. Simple storage reduces visual clutter, which can make your home feel calmer and more manageable.
Faster clean-up
With simple storage, toys can be tossed into one bin instead of sorted into five different places. This saves time (and sanity), especially at the end of a long day.
Reduces decision fatigue
Us moms make countless decisions every day. Simple storage removes unnecessary choices and keeps routines streamlined.
Creates a calmer home environment
Fewer visible toys = less noise and overstimulation. A calmer space can help you feel more present and less stressed.
Allows more energy for what matters
When you’re not constantly organizing, or stuff shuffling (as Cass from the Clutterbug calls it) you have more energy for your kids, your home, and yourself.
Extra Large Rope Basket
A visually appealing and super simple storage option is an extra large rope basket. We have two of these baskets - one for all the quilts I’ve ever made and the other for the twins’ stuffed animals.
I love this basket because:
- It’s soft and safe (no sharp corners)
- It looks neutral and blends into any room
- Toys can be tossed in quickly, no sorting required
- It is machine washable
This bin is intentionally unsorted. At this age, speed matters more than perfection. If clean-up takes more than five minutes, it’s probably not going to happen consistently.
Storage Bins Bamboo-Lid Bins
For everything else, I use six storage bins with bamboo lids. These bins are a game-changer because they keep toys organized and out of sight. I love the aesthetic. The bamboo lids make them look more like furniture than toy storage, which helps keep our space feeling calm.
Each bin has a category, but I keep the categories broad. Too many specific bins just lead to frustration.
Here’s how I break mine down:
- Crochet fruits and vegetables
- Mega blocks
- Animals
- Wooden toys
- Animal puppets
- Musical instruments
Because these bins have lids, I can stack them or slide them onto shelves without visual clutter. Out of sight truly does help reduce overwhelm for both toddlers and parents.
How Toy Rotation Changed Everything
One of the best things I ever did was start rotating toddler toys. When our twins were around 20 months old, I was pregnant with our third baby. I was tired and low energy from pregnancy hormones and not to mention keeping up with two high energy toddlers who love to get into everything. Something had to change. I didn’t have the energy to keep up with toy messes all day every day. I talked to a friend who also had boy-girl twins and two other children about keeping her home organized. She recommended keeping some toys out of reach during this stage.
Instead of having every toy available at all times, I keep only a small, manageable selection out and rotate toys every few weeks. Or sometimes I take down one bin of toys, we play with it for about an hour, and then we clean up the toys by putting them back in the storage bin, and I put it back up on the shelf in their closet.
The bamboo-lid bins make this easy. When my toddler starts losing interest or making bigger messes, I swap toys from the rotation bin with what’s currently out. Suddenly, old toys feel brand new again.
Why Toy Rotation is Important:
- Reduce overstimulation
- Keep clean-up manageable
- Extend the life of toys
- Encourage deeper play
And the best part? Fewer toys out means fewer toys to clean up at the end of the day.
Teaching Toddlers to Help With Clean-Up
Storage only works if your toddler can participate. We keep clean-up expectations very simple:
- Toys from the rope basket go back in the rope basket
- Toys from a bamboo bin go back in that bin
I don’t expect perfection. The idea is to teach them how to tidy up their environment, and clean up after themselves. Some days, toys end up in the wrong bin—and that’s okay. The goal is progress, not a perfectly organized system. And I enjoy organizing toys anyways haha!
We also keep clean-up short and positive. A song, a timer, or simply cleaning together makes a big difference. When toddlers feel capable, they’re more likely to help. My daughter loves singing the “clean-up” song!
Keeping Your Home Calm (Even With Toys Everywhere)
Having toddlers doesn’t mean your home has to feel chaotic. Neutral storage like rope bins and bamboo lids helps toys blend into your space instead of dominating it. I intentionally avoid loud colors or character bins in shared spaces, saving those for bedrooms or playrooms if needed.
This storage system allows our home to function for our family right now, without pressure to be perfect. It gives my toddler access to play while giving me peace of mind—and that balance matters.
In Conclusion
Toddlers benefit with less toys, and you will too! Having simple storage solutions in your home like an extra-large rope basket for everyday toys paired with bamboo-lid storage bins for organization and rotation will help your home feel calm, neat, and organized. If you’re overwhelmed by toys, start small. Choose a system that’s easy for your toddler to use and easy for you to maintain. This season is short, and simple systems make it sweeter. Remember, grace over perfection, always. 🤍
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