Inside: Here’s a detailed look at how I organize and store preschool activity supplies. We’ll cover everything from sensory materials to arts and craft supplies, plus small manipulatives, and everything in between.
I’m so excited to welcome you into my home today to show you how I organize, store (and use!) our activity supplies.
In case you don’t already know me from Instagram, Hi! I’m Marla. I’m a full-time SAHM to 3 little girls + a King Charles. I love to run an organized, functional home that works for me and our big family. I teach a course called the Ultimate Stay at Home Mom Course that will help you do the same!
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What is the best way to organize activity supplies?
Let’s start here.
It should go without saying that everyone’s home is different, and the space we each have available to dedicate to storage varies.
So while one of us may have an entire closet, another may need to rely on a set of kitchen cabinets.
Whatever you have, we can make it work.
Over the years of being home with kids and doing countless activities, one thing I’ve learned is that when it comes to storing art and activity supplies it’s best to:
- Keep everything together in one place
- Utilize a kids art cart
- Organize supplies by type
- Store supplies in clear plastic containers
Related: My Simple Homeschool Room Setup
Now let’s take a deep dive into how I got all of my activity supplies organized in a way that makes sense for our home and how the kids’ play.
This post may contain affiliate links. You can read our full disclosure policy, here.
How To Organize & Store Preschool Activity Supplies
What is the best way to organize activity supplies?
Step 1
Before diving into any organization project, I’ve found that it’s best to actually start by decluttering (purging) the space first.
For example: let’s say you’re going to dedicate a linen closet (or just a few shelves) as your activity supply closet, first, before organizing, pull everything out and go through it, one thing at a time.
Decide if you should:
- Toss it
- Recycle it
- Donate it
- Keep it
This process is helped tremendously by having boxes or bags ready to throw items into.
After decluttering your space you’ll be starting with much less, making the organizing process that much easier.
Step 2
Now you’re ready to organize your supplies!
Every time I share a picture of my activity closet on Instagram, someone always asks where I got my clear plastic storage containers from and honestly, the answer might surprise you.
Have you ever purchased the Stonefire Mini Naan breads in the deli section of your grocery store? We go through a ton of them, and once we’re done, I clean out the container and then use it to store supplies!
They’re the perfect size and shape, they stack well, and I’ve found they actually hold up! If this isn’t a product you usually buy, here are a few ideas that would work just as well.
Step 3
Organize and contain supplies by type. Each category or item should have its own container.
For example:
- Pom poms
- Counting bears
- Pouch caps
- Pipe cleaners
- Kinetic sand
- Playdough supplies
In my rolling art cart, I have:
- Markers, crayons and colored pencils
- Construction paper
- Stickers
- Stamps
- Do-a-dot markers
- Coloring books
Have you ever heard the saying: “Everything has a place, and a place for everything.”
That’s exactly what we’re aiming for here!
And you don’t have to go bankrupt trying to accomplish this. The good news is that you can try and use what you already have, or re-purpose old plastic containers (like I did). You can also purchase activity supply storage containers from the Dollar store (my personal fave is Dollar Tree). Their “tupperware” aisle is perfect for this!
My art activity cart is from Sam’s Club, but I’ve seen them at Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, HomeGoods, and of course, on Amazon!
How to Store Activity Supplies in a Small Space
Art Cart
My two absolute favorite things about a rolling art cart is that it takes up very little space and they’re on wheels!
You can easily tuck it into the corner of your kitchen (as I did, pictured below). Or keep it put away, and roll it out when needed.
I also use this lazy susan to organize some of our coloring supplies (we have a lot).
How to Organize Coloring Supplies
You may have already guessed, but first, before organizing your coloring supplies, it’s very important to go through them and toss anything that’s broken, dried out, or unusable.
Then I like to separate by category:
- Crayons
- Colored Pencils
- Markers
- Sharpeners
- Paint sticks
- Erasers
Here’s a visual of the before and after:
You can also find my clear plastic organizers in my Amazon storefront.
Craft & Activity Storage Closet
We do a lot of activities in our house (typically every day).
My girls are really into sensory play with kinetic sand and play dough. They also love to do puzzles and games, play with figurines and manipulatives (like counting bears and pouch caps), and do craft projects!
All of this is to say, I knew I needed to dedicate some closet shelves to create a system that worked for us.
If something was going to be taken out, where would it get put back, and what is it getting put back in?
Without some sort of system in place, pieces would get lost, materials would never get cleaned up, and it would be hard to do any sort of focused activity (such as preschool at home) without some form of organization for all of our activity supplies.
Let’s take a tour of my Activity Supply Closet!
Products featured here:
- Wide 3 drawer storage (this has playdough, large coloring pages, and large sticker/activity books)
- Tall 3 drawer storage (this one has figurines, paint supplies, and construction paper)
- Game and puzzle bags (I take some games and puzzles out of their boxes and store in these mesh bags)
- Clear storage containers (for items like dried rice, beans, kinetic sand, pom poms, and small manipulatives)
- Rolling art cart (for arts & crafts supplies)
- Caddy with tray (for storing playdough cutters and supplies – pictured below)
Don’t forget that some of these items you may find for less money at Dollar Tree, Walmart, or Hobby Lobby!
And perhaps the most important question of all – what do we use all of these craft and activity supplies for?
Here are some examples:
- How to Make a Toddler Morning Basket
- Preschool at Home Daily Routine
- Hands-On Activities for 4 Year Olds
- My 4 Year Old’s Daily Routine (part-time Pre-K)
- 5 Minute Toddler Sensory Bin
Find all of my Activity Supplies & Organization Favorites in my Amazon Storefront
What to Read Next:
- The Ultimate Guide to Toy Rotation
- How to Declutter Your Toys (step-by-step guide)
Follow Marla on Instagram for more practical solutions for everyday momlife
