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20 Tips for Storing Outdoor Toys

Playing outside is healthy – both for your child’s body and for their mind. It keeps us sharp, connects us with nature, and allows lots of time for physical activity that helps everyone to stay healthy and happy.

Whether you have a huge backyard or a small plot of land next to your home, it’s important that outdoor toys (including big toys like electric vehicles) are stored effectively in order not only to keep the space neat and clean but also to keep them accessible for when your child needs them. So if your child thinks in this exact moment that they want to go play basketball, but the basketball isn’t there, then they’ll lose interest and run back inside to that video game.

But keeping those things outside neat and clean can be a challenge. Keeping a room neat and clean is one thing, but outside there’s dirt and weather, animals and trees with falling leaves. Not to mention the potential for things to “walk away” if they aren’t put away safely.

Here are 20 real and effective ways to store outdoor toys!

1. Get kids involved

You’ll want to decide carefully at what point you want to get your child involved in the process. If you get them on the board early, then you’ll have more help. If you wait a bit, then you’ll be able to purge old and broken toys with little fuss. Either way, then need to be part of the process at some point so that they’re invested in it.

2. Sort, sort, sort

This doesn’t have to be done all at once, but you can do this step over several sessions. Go for the tried and true method of three places that toys can go – “keep,” “donate,” and “toss.” Outgrown toys need to go on to other kids who will love them, and unless something is really truly worth the value and time to fix it, it needs to be tossed.

3. Categorize

One thing about outdoor toys is that they aren’t used all of the time. Water toys are a summer thing, but bikes are good even in cold weather. As you categorize, keep this in mind. First create categories that are general (sports, garden, pool, riding, snow, etc.) and then split those by summer and winter. Don’t make it complicated! Depending on your storage space and it’s demanded, you’ll want to organize your toys so that they’re easy to get to and easy to move as one unit. That way you can scoot the gardening toys to the back of your space and pull those snow toys to the front easily.

4. Get good storage

You invest a lot of money in outdoor toys for your child, and to keep that investment protected, you need to make sure that you’ve got solid storage. These storage solutions are really affordable, durable, and most importantly easy to use.

Tips 5-20 offer storage solutions for all of those outdoor toys!


Lawn Care Toys

1. Deluxe Tool Tower Rack with Casters

Key Features:

You can store the grown-up lawn tools here as well, or get a separate rack so that the kid and adult tools are separate. Either way, this rack makes it easier and makes it much more likely that everyone will clean up after themselves!

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2. WallPeg Garden Tool Rack

Key Features:

This alternative is space-saving if you’ve got the wall space. Be sure to hang it low so that your kids can reach it easily!

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Riding Toys

1. YardStash Outdoor Bike Storage

Key Features:

Cost-effective and simple to install, these hooks hang right on the garage door tracks. Again, hang not just bikes but also other riding toys up here.

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2. Do-All Outdoors Kore Model Add-A-Hook

Key Features:

Cost-effective and simple to install, these hooks hang right on the garage door tracks. Again, hang not just bikes but also other riding toys up here.

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3. CyclingDeal 5 Bicycle Floor Parking Rack

Key Features:

Bikes fall over, then bounce around. They’re everywhere. A bike rack is simple and effective, and can be put anywhere!

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Sporting Gear & Small Toys

1. EDSAL Black Steel Storage Rack

Key Features:

Every storage space needs some sturdy shelves. Simply use wide laundry baskets for easy clean up – kids can grab them and take them right outside.

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2. Keeble Outlets Mesh Ball Bag

Key Features:

Pair a tough mesh bag with a wall rack or a storage shelf to help your kids have a great place to keep their stuff organized. Bags are so easy for kids to pick up and take with them.

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3. Folding Mesh Storage Bin with Carrying Bag

Key Features:

This mesh bin is perfect for the sandbox. For smaller children, you can carry it right outside and then have them clean up. A quick shake and then you can put it back away without getting sand all over!

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4. Pool Pros Depot Storage Bin

Key Features:

Pool toys are notoriously difficult to wrangle. This mesh bin is HUGE and easy to move around thanks to its lightweight structure. It’s also great for balls and other outside toys.

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5. Play&Go Toy Storage Bag

Key Features:

  • A huge floor mat that extends out to 55″ offering plenty of space for your kids
  • Easy to store – just pull the drawstrings and everything is packed in the toy sack
  • Playmats are made of 100% premium soft cotton
  • You can take it along for visiting family and friends, going to the beach, picnics, camping trips, or to the grandparents
  • 3 years warranty

If your child is the kind who likes to bring outside toys inside, then try a storage bag/playmat combo. You child will have a great spot to play that will keep their toys clean and neat!

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6. Rubbermaid Patio Storage Deck Box

Key Features:

To quell toys that tend to not make it back to their assigned home, try a storage bench. The more convenient clean up is, the more likely it is to happen.

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7. Neatfreak Sport Utility Storage Rack

Key Features:

Outdoor toys and sports gear come in all shapes and sizes. This is a great solution that will hold any kind of toy and will mold to your needs.

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8. Rubbermaid Vertical Ball Rack

Key Features:

Balls are great for imagination – they are the heart of kid’s play! Keeping them organized is another story. This rack is perfect – be sure to hang it low for easy access.

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9. Crawford Rawlings Ultimate Sport Organizer

Key Features:

Low on space? Try a hanging wall organizer. This one is perfect for sports equipment!

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10. AmazonBasics Mesh Bin Office Wall

Key Features:

A simple wall organizer is great for those odd toys like outdoor cooking pots and pans or sandbox toys. Remember to keep it as close to where the play area is as you can!

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BONUS Idea

Best Shoe Rack Organizer

Key Features:

This last one is more important than it seems. A simple shoe rack is an essential addition to your outdoor toy organization. You can use it for those muddy shoes, snow boots and even just as shelf space for small kids!

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Keeping outdoor toys easily accessible and well organized will help your child to learn to love the outdoors – a great thing for their health and for the whole family!

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Jerry is a former motorcycle mechanic. He’s dedicated his life to nuts and bolts of two- and four-wheelers. Pottering around in the garage - that’s, Jerry claims, the best way to spend all evening long. Currently, Jerry Kidd is a consultant at CFMOTO dealer in Chicago, IL, that offers high-performance ATVs and UTVs. The company has been serving for more than 30 years to provide its customers of all ages with heavy-duty vehicles.

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