Do your or your children's Legos look like that picture?  Legos can be a bunch of fun, or they can be a royal pain!  The good news is that there are some easy solutions to help you turn a mess into a system that is fun and manageable. 

Recently, the topic of Lego organizing came up on one of the organizing groups I belong to and I learned that organizer moms have their own techniques for keeping the tiny plastic pieces contained and ready for play at any time. I'm sharing their ideas with you today.

Box-4-Blox

The Box-4-Bloxproduct won a number of organizer awards including the "Organizers Choice" award with the National Association of Professional Organizers.  If you remember the coin sorters as a child, this works in a very similar way.  Your child places all of the legos, regardless of size, into the top of the sorter.  He/she then has a blast shaking the sorter and watches the tiniest legos fall to the bottom, then the next smallest, etc.  In the end, all of the Legos are sorted by size into different containers and are ready for play.  If you want to see this tool in action, head over to their web site where they have a video showing you how it works.

Brick Sack

If you are looking for something a bit more simple to corral your child's Legos, you might like the Brick Sack.  They come in many fabric colors and you can even have different groupings for different themes (Vikings, Star Wars, etc).  The sacks were made designate a play area and then later store Legos.  When fully open, they lay flat on the floor and your child can see all of the pieces rather than digging through bins.  They come in different sizes too, so you can pick the size that best fits your situation.  Once play time is over, your child picks up any stray pieces that have fallen off of the mat and cinch up the cord like a sack.  You can then store the sack in a closet or toy box, etc.  Brick Sack also has a video on their site so that you can see how it works.

Make them Into Pods

When it is time to put your Legos away, group like sizes together and stack them into blocks or pods.  The putting away can be as fun as the playing!  Once each pod is created, it can be safely stored on a shelf or in a bin.  Want more on this idea?  Check out this post that gives pictures and detail on how to make your Lego pod stack.

"This is a cool article (with photos) that illustrates how to stack like pieces together so that they are easy to find and also easy to take apart when the pieces are needed. The resulting “blocks” can be stored in larger bins. It may be a little bit difficult for younger children, but it is fabulous for the older ones who move on to complex, self-designed projects. I have two teenage boys and they still make creations, science projects, etc. with their legos! So does my 13-year-old nephew. We had tried everything from baggies to multiple divided containers and it always ended up dumped together in a huge bin. After showing my boys this article, they actually ENJOYED putting the “storage blocks” together and sorting the Legos. They especially like NOT having to DIG through the big bin to find the piece they need. Don’t forget that the best thing about legos is that it is a fabulous medium for expressing creativity!" ~Shevin Goodwin

Baggies Can Do the Trick

Consider using baggies to corral all of your various categories.  Since zip-type bags come in many sizes, you can accommodate just about any type of Lego.

"Put together baggies with the smaller sets (my almost 8 year old helped me find the pieces to some of the sets that had accidentally ended up in the big pile), a baggie with people, and then I have bins with large castle set (it's all the bigger blocks and easy enough to keep together), then a bin with all the BIG Blocks (not castle) and then all the small blocks (not specific sets)."~ Gretchen Fatouros

Make Your Own Lego Storehouse or Lego City!

If you are like my friends below, your family owns a LOT of Legos.  If that is the case, you may consider one of these two options.

"I use two vertical plastic hardware storage containers I found at Lowes.  It has little clear pull-out drawers in different sizes.  I sorted our Legos (yes, it took my a long time) into like with like (i.e., droid parts, ladders, wing pieces, steering wheels, little tiny pieces, accessories like guns, body parts, whole people, wheels, etc.).  I labeled the edge of each drawer if possible (for things like fire, flags, heads, etc.) to make it easy for them to find things.  For the other more generic pieces, I use shoe size clear boxes from The Container Store with lids.  I sort by regular building blocks, flat pieces, angled pieces, large flat platform pieces.  I also have a couple of larger plastic boxes that store partially build creations or things they want to keep.  In their rooms, I have shelving where they set their sets that they want to keep intact (i.e., large Star Wars ships, Power Miners, etc.)  In each of their rooms, I keep a little clear plastic tub for special pieces that they want to keep to themselves and not put into the joint Lego stash. Every once in a while, we take apart any of their custom creations that they are willing to dismember and resort the pieces back into their appropriate places." ~Carey Albrecht

"I too have a son with an extensive Lego collection.  I sat down with him, he was 7 at the time, and sorted them.  Yes It took many hours.  We just used the living room floor for about a week.  There are many plastic drawer bins.  Some are small and some are larger.  I talked to him and let him tell me where to put them.  All drawers are labeled.  
  
1x3s & 1x4s  People and Accessories
1x6 & up  Plants and Animals
2x2s    Vehicle Parts
2x3s & 4s Base Plates
2x6S & up    Misc. Flat Pieces
Roofing Bricks   Hinges
Sloped Bricks    Doors, Windows & Fences
1x1 & 1x2 Flats Bricks with holes
1x3 & 1x4 Flats Smooth Flat
1x5 & up Flats  and a few more small drawered bins for the specialty pieces

And of course there is the small tote that is used for cleaning up the room.  He and I put these away in their drawers every once in a while. All of his friends love coming to our house to play in Lego City and build.  It is kind of like going to the Lego store.

We used to have a train table for Lego making, but have since gotten rid of it as my son grew too tall to use it comfortably.  We raised his bed to put Lego City under there, added a fluorescent light under the bed."   ~Sherri Papich

What to do with the directions?

If you like grouping all of your Legos together, but don't want to forget the projects and packages you purchased, maybe this tip will work for you:

"Cut out the cover/picture and save that along with the directions.  You can slide them into clear plastic page savers and put them in a large 3 ring binder.  This way if someone wants to do a lego project they can go through the binder to choose one."
~ Annette Reyman

"We have them all in a magazine holder.  They can easily pull out what they want."~Gretchen Fatouros

Want to Let Go of Your Legos or Get New Ones?

You can buy and sell Lego boxes, individual pieces, minifigures, and even instructions on www.bricklink.com and on E-bay. 

Thank Yous and Resources

I'm sending a big hug and thanks to the following organizers who shared their ideas on how to manage Legos:  Annette Reyman, Carey Albrecht, Gretchen Fatouros, Sherri Papich and Shevin Goodwin.

Want Even More Lego Storage Ideas? Check out this great and detailed post by my colleague Jeri.  She provides 16 ideas for your consideration.

Final Thoughts

Legos bring out the creative spirit in people young and old.  As you are considering what system will work best in your house, think creatively and enjoy the process.

What do you do to contain the Legos in your house?  Share your comments!

I was reading this post today: Living with 72 Things and wanted to share it with you to get your perspective.  Tammy and her husband have eliminated almost everything from their material lives and blog about living a simple life.  About two years ago they began letting go of things.  To date, they have let go of so many items that they have moved to a less expensive, much smaller home.  Read Tammy's post and come back here to tell me what you think!

To your success!

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One of our readers, Kathleen from Dallas TX, asked us the following question:

Kathleen, I sure do!  I asked my colleagues to share their thoughts, so keep reading and pick the solution that works the best for you.

Hang in Closets

My clients and I have used a neat trick; we hang out of season art, (or some pieces they are just tired of for the moment) in some of their closets.  We have found that once we have de-cluttered closets, the walls look a bit lonely.  Hanging art in these cleared out closets spruces up the place, and keeps it safely stored in the mean time.  Hope that helps!  Tip shared by Organizer, Tracy L. Moore.

Store Behind Other Furniture

There is a lot of flat vertical storage behind furniture. Dressers and headboards can "hide" the art and still leave it accessible for changing with the seasons.  Tip shared by Organizer, Julie Bavington.

Use Decorative Trunks

I have used decorative trunks to hide a lot of things that need temperature control. I liked using them b/c of dual functionality storage and like a coffee table, side table, wall / space filler, or entry to any room. If decorated appropriately, setting it up anywhere in home can add personality!  Tip shared by  Organizer, Heather H.R.Falcon-Labry.

Remember Proper Paper if You Have Oils

If you have oil paintings, check into getting special paper to store the art and keep it preserved.  If you are going to stack a number of paintings one behind another, place a piece of hard cardboard between them or wrap in thick blankets. Make sure the cardboard covers the entire piece.

Consider the Weather and Moisture

Do not store your artwork in an area where the weather can have an impact on it.  Water can and humidity can severely damage art. 

Remember Canvas is Delicate - Protect the Canvas

Never let something rest against the face or back of the canvas as damage can occur.  As you store the items, consider what might poke or damage.

Comment and Share!

I know you have some great ideas for Kathleen.  Please leave your comment below. Like what you've read?  I'd love it if you would click the buttons below and share this post with your social networking friends.

To your success!

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We love getting your questions!  Ask one or many!  We review questions on a regular basis and publish in one of our blogs or newsletter.

(Picture Source:  The Richter Art Gallery)

I love teacher conferences.  It helps me and my child's teacher communicate what we need to teach my child.  Well, funny thing happened my last conference. 

I have a child that is a loving and creative soul, but she is not organized!!  Which of course drives her mom (me) crazy.  When she was in 3rd grade I told her teacher she needed to figure out how to be organized.  We provided to tools and guidance but I knew she'd need to experience some natural consequences to actually learn the lesson.  Fortunately, yes fortunately, she had late papers, lost papers, etc and had to work this out with her teacher. Then she made it to 4th grade (I'll just say good thing she's smart to make up for her lack of organization). I then told my child's 4th grade teacher "It is going to be a bad year".  We agreed to let her figure it out and continue with the natural consequences which were a bit more painful than they were in 3rd grade. As the year went on she started to get it. I recently met with my daughter's 5th grade teacher for conferences and this actually came out of her teachers mouth   "Your daughter is very organized". 

I call that success!!  While my daughter was struggling to learn how to be organized and take care of herself, I had to keep telling myself "It is only 3rd grade",  "It is only 4th grade".  I knew that the natural consequences of being unorganized in grade school are pretty minor compared to high school, college and life. 

Keep this in mind if your kids are struggling to be organized.  If you are currently the one that is keeping your child organized then I recommend you let them know that you are taking a vacation and it is now their responsibility.  Make sure they know what needs to be done and follow through with not intervening. Here is the hard part... no reminders from you.  There are consequences set up at school that are there to teach...let you're child experience them if needed.  It is lesson that will serve them well as they grow.

Do you have a plethora of bathroom products?

A Reader Writes:

4 -- Back-to-work programs like Dress For Success -- There are a number of great programs world wide that support women that are going back into the workforce.  The Dress for Success program in our area provides interview clothing, 2 work day outfits and a few other items to help care for the woman's appearance in addition to giving them work skills training.

5 -- Cosmetology/beauty schools -- Our local high-school has vocational training that teaches students the skills necessary to go into the salon field.  They love getting new products they can use in their classes.  (Note:  There are some cosmetology schools that focus on a specific product line.  Call and ask before you take the items.)

6 -- Food Banks/Food Pantries -- Many food banks/pantries collect non-food items too.  Check your local facility.

7 -- Nursing/Senior Care Facilities -- Many nursing homes would love these items for residents.  Sadly, there are many seniors that never get visitors or gifts for holidays or their birthday.  Check with the facility first, but consider wrapping the lotions, etc. and giving as gifts to those that would appreciate some self-care.

Comment and Share!

I know you have some great ideas for MaryAnne's mom too.  Please leave your comment below. Like what you've read?  I'd love it if you would click the Share-This link below and share this post with your social networking friends.

To your success!

PS -- If you've enjoyed this post and want to see more, why not subscribe to our daily emails (Feedblitz) or through the RSS Feed (click here)?  Or, follow us on Twitter!  Or connect on Facebook!

We love getting your questions!  Ask one or many!  We review questions on a regular basis and publish in one of our blogs or newsletter.