At first, they all fit in the plastic bin they came in.
Then they were divided into two bins: Specialty Pieces and Ordinary Pieces.
After more time passed, we introduced the Lego Blanket. A large, beige, fleece blanket. Lego creations could stay out, but couldn’t leave the blanket.
But sometimes these creations needed to be transferred from the floor to the table. And back again. The more intricate inventions couldn’t handle these transfers, and so we introduced the Lego Tray. A large cookie sheet with a 1″ lip.
And then two trays.
Then three. One per Lego-Aged-Child.
Only, where did these trays go when they weren’t on the table or the floor? Why, on my desk, of course! Along with all the paperback books that need taped, my sewing machine and supplies, the printer, paintings, math tests, and all bills and financial papers.
And so began the brainstorming and scheming. We needed a new plan.
Finally, this week, my plan was put into action.
I present to you:
Each child gets one tray. If a Lego creation does not fit on the tray, it goes in the bin (the blue one on the bottom shelf).
The green bin on the middle shelf has all the directions, most of which have been laminated, hole-punched, and placed in binders.
And the Lego blanket is tucked on the top shelf, in case they feel like playing on the floor. With these trays, however, they just move their creations to the table and back.
It’s only been a day.
But I’m in love with The Lego Shelves.
How do you organize your Legos?
What. You are awesome! We don’t actually have LEGO yet. Or Duplo. I need to get some Duplo. How old were your kids when LEGO arrived on the scene? I’m afraid of the tiny bits. I just don’t know that I can handle it. But maybe? With a system like that?
That is an awesome idea! We just got a ton of Lego for Christmas. Right now they fit in a medium bin but I know soon it will be stuffed full. The laminating of the instructions is a great idea, do you have your own laminator?
Beth, I am totally amazed by you!!! I love this!! What a great idea. If only I were that organized. But we only have one LEGO box, so it just goes on the toy shelf. 🙂 My kids are not into building them yet. Maybe I’ll introduce them to those joys after Ben does not put things in his mouth anymore.
No. I will not allow those instrument of torture in my home nor near my feet!
I bet we had duplo by the time Olivia was two… Can’t be sure though. We love our building toys. 🙂 Tiny Legos, maybe when she was five? They were initially restricted as a Table Toy when Levi was small. And then they got moved to the blanket on the dining room toy, but weren’t allowed anywhere else. Every now and then I’ll find a few Legos in other room, but I remind them that we have small friends who come over for play date and we can’t have them anywhere but the dining room. And now we have Evelyn scooting about. They’re pretty good with the rule. Duplos are all over the living room though. And Trios.
Thanks! I got a personal laminator off amazon when it was a lightning deal. I think it’s made by Scotch? It’s a handy thing!
Lol! Let me assure you, my feet have been pained by non-Lego toys much more often than the dreaded Lego itself! We have strict rules about where the Legos can go. Tiny Legos, that is. Duplos have a way of taking over the house. 😉
Aw, thanks! We *do* love our building toys! Duplo, Lego, Trio… That’s probably why our kids are ok with leaving the Legos in the dining room – they can freely spread all the other all over the house!
Great idea for active storage! When I was a kid, we sorted legos by color (in about 13 separate plastic bins…we had a LOT of lego!), with the instructions hole-punched and put in binders, never to be looked at again! To combat the put-away problem, my dad built a wood tray on casters that rolled under the couch. Whatever could fit, could stay. And then twice a year, my mom would announce a one week period where we could leave the legos all over the living room with no consequences. Those weeks made the fight the rest of the year much less vigorous, because we had an outlet. We would spend that week building entire cities all over the living room! Now, we’re all grown up and my parents have kept the legos and the tray, so when the grandkids go to their house, it’s a wonderland!