Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Kids' Puzzle Storage

We've been all about spring cleaning and organizing at our house this week. And I've had a couple people ask organizing questions over the past while so I'm sharing one of the organizing tips our family has adopted for Scribbit's Winter Bazaar.

My kids LOVE puzzles. In a big way. But the boxes always break and they are big, bulky, and take up way too much room in my limited storage area. So I came up with this very sensible option. I cut the front off the puzzle box, the side with the picture, and tape it with clear packaging tape onto the front of a gallon-sized freezer bag. Then, they stack into my puzzle storage bin so much better with tons of room to spare. It also is great for when we travel...the kids can pack a few puzzles to put in their suitcases instead of just one and I don't have to worry about the box getting crushed.

I hope this is an idea that you can use!

15 comments:

The Brough Family said...

Love it.. I'm going to do do that this weekend. I have puzzles jammed everywhere b/c they take up so much space. Puzzles are a tradition for Ash and Grandpa so this is perfect timing as we will be getting them all out this weekend!

Scribbit said...

It sure makes storage so much easier, I can get fifty puzzles in a cupboard no problem.

Anonymous said...

You have all the best ideas! Puzzles are especially hard for me to keep track of-I'm going to use this one.
Thanks, Chery

Nonnas News said...

Hi, Im Patti from Nonna's News. Just dropping by. I love your blog header! Have a blessed Easter!

Anonymous said...

Super idea! I can have my kids help me after school...they love to straighten up their stuff. We have that same puzzle...it's funny to see it pictured.

Jeni

Ashlee said...

Such a good idea....I'm definitely going to be using it!

Ice Cream said...

We do this too and it amazed me the first time I did it how much room it saves. 2 entire shelves of puzzles now take up half a shelf in a one basket.

Lacey said...

I usually end up putting my kids' puzzles in ziplocs but I didn't even think about putting the picture off the box on the bag. What a good idea! Plus, playing "guess which puzzle this is" can get a little old and frustrating.

Albanie said...

What a great idea! When I get some puzzles I will definitely use this idea!

Rosanne said...

This is a perfect idea! Hayley is loving puzzles these days!. I need to make a list of great organizing tips as we get ready to move!! I'm sure you were the most organized mover - please send me more tips for a "clean and organized move" if you have them, which I'm sure you do! :) Miss ya!

jennwa said...

I do this too, it works great.

Montay said...

So just before we left to have baby we went thru the kids closets and I thru away a ton of puzzles I wish I would have had this idea so I could have saved a few I will definitly use this idea in the future

Anonymous said...

Excellent advice. Thank you.

Bonnie B. said...

I've put puzzles in baggies before, but I've never even thought of cutting the picture of the puzzle out to put with it. Thanks for the great idea!

Michie said...

This is something I've been meaning to try. I have a few games like Memory that only has little cards in this great big box that I thought it might work for too.