Outdoor Toy Storage Ideas

Trying to figure out how to organize outdoor toys in the backyard and garage? Check out these great outdoor toy storage ideas that are both practical and have been working for years. Whether you have a small collection of chalk and bubbles or a large armory of bikes, balls, and other toys, these ingenious ideas can help you say goodbye to clutter and hello to a serene, orderly house.

storing outdoor toys — Image credit: @FamVeld

How Do You Organize Outdoor Toys?

Three easy steps will help you control the toy chaos outside: evaluate, sort, and contain.

Start by picking up all the balls, bats, and beach buckets that are lying around in your yard. Evaluate your collection and organize it by size and frequency of use. This will help you make sense of what you have and select where to keep each thing.

Next, take a walk around your outdoor space and look for any cracks, crevices, or unused spots that would be great places to store toys outside. The possibilities are infinite, ranging from sheds and cabinets to coffee tables and fences.

Finally, utilize containers, baskets, and organizers to organize your toys and hide them when not in use. Inform the family of these locations and encourage kids to return toys after usage.

Outdoor Toy Storage Ideas – Outside Options

Outdoor Storage Box or Storage Cabinet

An outdoor storage box is a great option for large objects such as balls, frisbees, and even pool toys. Kids simply go around the yard and put everything in, making cleanup easy. The sizes of these storage boxes vary, and some of them can be used as benches to add more seating for backyard parties. That being said, water does get inside if the kids don’t close it all the way. It’s a catch-all, so some toys end up near the bottom.

To keep up with the weather, look for materials that can, like plastic or treated wood.

Playhouse or Toy Storage Shed

A shed or playhouse is another great way to store things outside. These small buildings not only give your kids a cozy place to hide, but they also have lots of room to store all of their favorite outdoor toys. Adding a comfortable chair for the adults to take a well-deserved break is a plus.

Trash Can Shed as Toy Parking Lot

Toys like bikes, cars, and other ride-ons would be suitable to stay in a “trash can shed,” which isn’t really a shed but more of a secret place to park trash cans. By adding a few shelves or niches to collect smaller goods, you can turn an ordinary trash can enclosure into a clever outdoor toy storage option.

Storage Coffee Table or Storage Ottoman

Consider a coffee table or ottoman with dual storage for your deck or patio. Find storage coffee tables and ottomans with secret compartments for balls, jump ropes, and other small toys. It will prevent your garden from being cluttered and add some usefulness to your outdoor living area.

Hanging Milk Crates on the Fence

Do not overlook vertical space! Hanging milk crates or similar containers on the fence provides convenient storage for small to medium toys. This keeps the tools and toys in this area of the yard off the ground and more visible. Additionally, kids can enjoy this method for organizing their things.

Outdoor Toy Storage Ideas – Indoors

Rolling Storage Cart

A rolling storage cart is a handy and portable way to store outdoor toys. Depending on your needs, it’s easy to move and store away in a clean garage or utility room. For smaller or less solid things, like the reusable water balloons and chalk, we also use small plastic containers.

Ordinary Baskets and Bins

You can store your kids’ toys in these bins if you can find a place for them on a shelf in your shed. Mesh bags are another alternative for keeping little items organized in baskets and boxes. For a clean, orderly look, put smaller outdoor toys in attractive baskets, boxes, or even reused crates before placing them on shelves or tucking them into corners. It’s even better if you can find ones with fun patterns or colors that will make your space more unique. We can use them to store balls, sand toys, and so forth.

A Toy Box

There are times when you want to keep outside toys in a standard toy box. If you want the most usefulness, look for one with wheels or built-in storage spaces. You could also add some cushions or pillows to make it into a cozy reading nook when it’s not in use.

Wall Hooks

This is a great way to store a lot of things and keep them close at hand while also making more room in the shed. Make the most of it by hanging hula hoops, jump ropes, and other small outdoor toys from a series of wall hooks. We use ours for anything from strollers to sleds to sports equipment bags, and so forth. It will organize and keep things off the floor while adding quirkiness to your room.

Final Thoughts

Finally, store outdoor toys using clever, space-efficient solutions that meet your family’s lifestyle and space. Set aside a space for each type of toy, and teach the kids where to put them back when they’re done playing. Organizing a bit makes playtime pleasant and your outdoor space appealing!

FAQs

How do you store outdoor toys?

Smaller items like bubbles, toy trucks, or dare we say it, silly string, can be stacked in clear bins and subcategorized with dividers or Smart Store cups. We also like using tiered shelving carts so toys can move with them as they play, making clean-up time more efficient.

How do you protect outdoor toys?

Whenever possible try to keep outdoor toys in a dry, shady area when not in use such as your garage, shed, or covered porch. Just be sure they aren’t stored near dangerous chemicals. If toys have been stored for a long time, double-check for any bugs or spiders and wipe them down before use.

How do you store kids toys in the backyard?

1: Milk Crates on the Fence. On our fence, we store toys for digging and “mud kitchen-esque” play.
2: Rolling Cart. Rolling carts are where it’s at.
3: Large Bins for One Item.
4: Outdoor Shelves.
5: Laundry Baskets.
6: Bike Rack.

How to store outdoor ride on toys?

Medium-sized deck boxes are perfect for storing larger toys like ride-on cars or small play structures. They can be placed on your deck or patio to keep your outdoor space organized and clutter-free.