Loose parts storage can be done in a way that is organized but also designed to increase creativity in you and the children. 

But many educators get overwhelmed and ask themselves the following question.

WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN WITH LOOSE PARTS STORAGE?

Have you ever asked yourself this while looking at your new collection of loose parts? 

It can so overwhelming to organize your loose parts. 

You don’t want to forget about the really cool thing!  You know, that thing you have no clue what to call but you know the children are going to LOVE! 

It’s important to use organization and loose parts storage ideas that create systems but to also use these storage areas as a way to increase creativity for you and the children.

Getting Started With Loose Parts Storage

1. Start physically sorting the items based on the kinds of variables they are

To know where to organize those fifteen boxes you need to start thinking outside the box.  Use the natural categories we previously listed to sort the items. 

This will keep you from seeing the boxes as only for building and instead as a material that can be utilized in endless ways.  
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One of my newsletter subscribers wrote in and told me that while she is out treasure hunting for loose parts her mantra is,

“Look at what it can be and not what it is.” – Patricia Eurich

Remembering the concept of loose parts, the creativity and the endless ways to use them needs to be a part of the thought process when storing them.  This will keep the creativity going.

2. Look at the idea of accessibility and availability

Ask yourself these questions,

• What items do you want stored for easy access on a daily basis?
• What items do you want in more long term storage or put away? 

This is where children’s interests and the types of play you currently observe will play a role. 

If the children are all about ramps and exploring speed, then keeping a bin of 20 scarfs on your very small “teacher” counter (aka, tops of cubbies or the 2 inch space next to the sink) is not the best use of space. 

It would be better to have items handy that you could easily and quickly use to expand and further their learning, questions and theories.

3. What to use for loose parts storage

This allows you to still categorize within the natural variable that they are a part of as well as have individual storage for each kind of variable.

​Obviously everyone is going to have different kinds of shelving in their long term storage areas.  Some shelves will be deep and dark and will magically loose items.  Others will be shallow and narrow where if you take one item off a domino effect will occur leaving you under a pile of thingamajigs.

4. Home for everything

On the blog, lifestorage.com they talk about how not having a simple organizational system is why you have clutter. 

When looking at the different kinds of categories you have, start to sort by size. 

Typically you want to sort smaller items higher up and larger ones lower.  The larger items on the bottom will anchor the shelving unit so everything doesn’t come crashing down. 

For example on the highest shelf, place the 20 jars of colourful glass stones.  Then on the next shelf place all the different kinds of mirrored items you have and on the bottom shelf place all of your ceramic items that are typically larger and heavier.  

Using this idea of first organizing items by category then by size will create a simple organization system.  Not to mention, a sensory experience in your storage area, one that is visually pleasing, makes you want to touch the items and sparks curiosity by just walking in.  Plus you will know exactly what you have and where to find it.  Phillipa Staton writes in her book, Conscious Creativity,

“Your structure or plan should contain both aspiration and achievability”  {pg. 23}

You want your organizational system to not be a chore or a source of stress.  It is meant to benefit you and the children to have more ease to engage in your wonderings and curiosities.  

I know it can be hard NOT to grab items that spark your curiosity, but when you don’t have a viable place to store it or a way to easily switch out items, this is when our very valuable loose parts can start to loose their magic.

Another way to help rotate out extra items from your storage areas is by creating a loose parts lending library with your families.  You can choose what items you are willing to lend out and create a system that works for your setting.  This allows your loose parts storage area to stay organized and even open up with space to continue your collecting. 

Which in turn, flourishes everyone’s creativity.

If you need some inspiration to help you fill those shelves or a spark of creativity in the different kinds of loose parts, download your free loose parts guide.