Organization Systems We Actually Use
The Organization Systems We Actually Use for Kids’ Activities & Supplies
If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a former teacher and mom of three, it’s this: the best organization systems are the ones that actually get used.
Not the prettiest.
Not the most minimal.
Not the ones that stay perfect forever.
These are the real-life systems we use to store craft supplies, activity materials, toys, and learning tools in a way that keeps everything visible, accessible, and easy for kids (and/or parents) to manage. Some of them get messy. Some of them need resets. All of them make it easier for my kids to create, play, and learn, while also making it easier for me to feel organized.
Disclaimer: As a member of the Amazon Affiliate program, the links in this post may earn me a small commission if you choose to purchase through them. I appreciate your support of Oh Hey Let’s Play in this way more than you know!
An Art Cart for Kids’ Craft Supplies
This art cart has been one of the most well-loved systems in our home.
It doesn’t always look this neat anymore — but every now and then, it gets a reset. My 5-year-old is at this cart daily, which tells me everything I need to know about whether it works.
Why I love an art cart:
Supplies are visible and easy to grab
Kids don’t need help accessing materials
Categories are loose and flexible
It can move wherever we need it
The supplies have changed over time as my kids’ interests have evolved, but the idea has stayed the same: open access + simple organization = more creativity.
Fun fact: Our craft/activity room used to be our “classroom” during our pre-K homeschool/COVID era — if you’re interested in reading more about how I originally had this cart set up, and how we used it in our “classroom” space during this time, check out this blog post.
👉 The cart itself is linked here.
Clear Zipper Bags for Literally Everything
If I could only recommend one organization item, it would be these clear zipper bags.
We use them for:
Tonies (read about our favorite Tonies by age here)
Travel toys
Busy bags
On-the-go activities
Small toy storage
Snacks
Toiletries when traveling
They come in multiple sizes, which makes them incredibly versatile. I love how easy they are to grab and go or through in a bogg bag or backpack. They also make rotating toys or activities so easy, and I love that they are completely clear so everyone knows exactly what’s inside.
Clear Containers on Open Shelves for Craft & Activity Supplies
My dad built these shelves for me, and I love using clear containers on them.
Yes, they look cute.
Yes, I love all the colors.
But more importantly, they’re a practical way to store all the random craft and activity supplies that aren’t ziploc bags, and don’t fit neatly anywhere else.
We use these containers for:
Pipe cleaners
Pom-poms
Craft sticks
Colored painter’s tape
Foam shapes
Loose parts
Odds and ends from activity kits
(You can see a list of all our favorite activity supplies here).
Everything stays visible, easy to grab, and easy to put away — which makes the system much more manageable for busy parents!
👉 Each container size is linked individually here:
6 pack of 16 oz jars
3 pack of 80 oz jars (tall)
4 pack of 80 oz jars (wide)
Clear Bins for Activities (Our Favorite “System”)
By far my favorite system in our home.
These clear bins hold individual, open-ended activities, toys, or categories and live on shelves rather than in our main play space. That separation makes them feel special and intentional when they’re used.
Kids can:
See their options
Choose independently
Clean up easily
We also use these bins as a quiet time tool, and they’ve been truly life-saving for us.
👉 Full breakdown of how we use these bins here
👉 Bins are linked here
Large Photo Case Storage for Small Manipulatives & Craft Supplies (4×6 Cases)
This is one of my oldest and most-used organization systems — and still one of my favorites.
This larger case holds multiple 4×6 photo cases, and I use it specifically for small manipulatives and loose craft supplies that would otherwise end up in zip-top bags or scattered drawers.
I currently have three full cases of these, each completely filled.
Inside the individual photo cases, I store things like:
Mini erasers
Buttons
Beads
Gems and jewels
Q-tips
Googly eyes
Bottle caps with numbers
Other small manipulatives and loose parts
Why this system works so well:
Everything is contained but still visible
Supplies are easy to grab for activities or learning journals
Cleanup is simple and predictable
Small items stay organized without being over-sorted
This system has grown with us over the years and has replaced countless zip-top bags.
👉 The large photo case + 4×6 cases are linked here
5×7 Photo Cases for Busy Boxes & Small Printable Activities
These smaller 5×7 photo cases are a completely separate system — and they serve a different purpose.
Each case holds about 7 individual photo cases, and I use these specifically for:
Busy box activities
Small printable activities
Fine motor or matching tasks
Travel-friendly/morning basket learning setups
I love this system because:
Each activity stays self-contained
It’s easy to rotate activities in and out
They’re perfect for shelves, bags, or drawers
These are especially great for toddlers and preschoolers, but honestly work well for a wide range of ages depending on what you put inside.
👉 The 5×7 photo case is linked here
👉 full blog post on this system and ideas for busy boxes here
Small Clear Bins for Smaller Activities & Toys
These smaller clear bins are perfect for things that are just a bit too small for my standard-sized bins.
A few things I use them for:
Squishalongs my kids like to collect
They’re especially helpful when you want consistency across shelves but need a smaller footprint.
👉 6-pack of small bins linked here
Clear Bins for Play Doh, Stamps & Wooden Stamps
Another favorite way we use clear bins is for table-ready activities.
Some of our most-used setups with these specific bins:
Play doh + play doh tools
Wooden stamps + ink pads
Paint or beading supplies
I love being able to:
Set the bin right on the table
Open it
Let the kids go to town
The bin does the work — not me.
👉 This bin is linked here
(You can also find similar ones at Michaels or Hobby Lobby)
Final Thoughts
None of these systems are “perfect,” but that’s not really what we’re going for.
These systems:
make materials easy to access (for parents AND kids)
support independence
reduce setup (and clean-up time)
let kids actually use the things we store
help me keep my sanity ;)
If an organization system makes OUR lives as parents easier, and makes it easier for your kids to play, create, and learn on their own — it’s doing its job.
I hope you found something helpful in this post - be sure to save it for when your systems need a reset!
