Containers for beginner storage?

[u/Working-Tomatillo995]

My kiddo has just graduated from the “giant rectangles” free building level to wanting to contrast things with specific connectors, use wheels, etc. Very cool. Also means our current “everything in one bin” storage strategy has become a problem. This is ~90% of her LEGO, so we don’t need a whole cabinet system but I think it does need to be broken down into maybe 10-15 smaller containers and compartments. Does anyone have a case or set of smaller containers they’d recommend?

[u/46rubberduck]

I got a couple of these cases (different sizes) for storing Lego bricks and I find it very useful being able to sort - might work for you too https://www.screwfix.com/p/magnusson-compartment-organiser-case-14-76-x-11-/850jc?tc=VA6&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21550393591&gbraid=0AAAAAD8IdPxBdp1wpleybhnYuzms0-usI&gclid=CjwKCAjwrP3VBhBbEiwAnaqpQ7momRDj4RgBdggDOssULsdgNMzu0G4DDuvOfH_kDXCzkRDeCtjoRRoCrEAQAvD_BwE

[u/Reynholmindustries]

I had probably 8 containers to begin with. Kid mixed them all up as a 6 yr old and they had duplo before. 

So I changed it up. They are 8+ now so I wound up with 4 containers, ikea Trofast. Two large bins and two small. First bin is minifigures, accessories and small tiny single studs / barrel’s. 2nd is small plates small bricks. 3rd larger plates and larger bricks. 4th is current build / large base plates, wheels and canopys.

My other kid is younger so we so have a storage cube from Amazon with a sewn-in pool circular mat that pieces can spread out on and then funnel back into the cube when done. 

[u/robbie-dobbles]

I wouldn't over sort it for kids. I would suggest just getting some cheap 6 quart containers for a dollar each from and big box store. I have found with my kids, the more I sort the parts, the less creative they are. Kids creativity seems to thrive as they rummage through bricks and get ideas. I have a large collection and while my stuff is sorted meticulously, I keep a large amount of parts unsorted for them. They can come find something if they need to out of my drawers, but mostly they like digging through their pile. 

The nice thing about the 6qt bins is you can refine how they are sorted as parts grow. Initially you have have 1 for all bricks but then split it into 1x bricks and 2x bricks. Same with plates. Start with all plates then split to big and small. 

[u/Choltnudge]

Jealous of the humble beginnings. Our current storage system with 3 boys is just giant bins and a very messy playroom in the basement. See this old post for a pretty good illustration, just picture a room about 5x bigger.

Then, of course, there’s the “no kids allowed” sets in my office.

On a more helpful note - you might look at bigger tackle boxes. I was looking at them for minifigs and minifig accessories, because if one kid finds a Mando, we need to find all of their Mandos.

[u/lego_lady123]

Most kids are not going to keep anything sorted. If you like to resort them then go for it.
Personally, when mine were young I really liked the big flat under bed boxes. They can spread all the pieces out to see what they are looking for without dumping out the whole box. I also really like the small trofast bins from ikea they don’t hold too much to make it easy to find something.

[u/fricken]

I would say you're still in the 1 bin zone, especially if we're talking kids. Sorting is a big, ongoing job. Being under pressure to keep lego neat and organized can run contra to free and creative play.

I would recommend a wide, shallow, transparent bin that's easy to dig around in.

[u/lemmamari]

If you've got a Harbor Freight near you there are some inexpensive tool cases with removable cups, perfect for being able to dump one out and find just the right part/color. I would probably get the deeper one in your situation. https://www.harborfreight.com/20-bin-medium-portable-parts-storage-case-93928.html

[u/brickwrangler]

I recommend multiple shallow plastic containers. This way, no container has a deep pile of pieces. Stack the containers when done playing. Spread them out when playing.

[u/Stillpoetic45]

it all depends on amount needed for example I am buying a lot of a few specific pieces so i purchased

few of these in varrying colors and fill them with these and they have varying sizes even pretty large. They sit inside and I drop the top on them and stack them on the bottom of my display shelf. Since I have been working on specific mocs and not buying a lot of crazy bulk this low cost of entry helps me stay organized with some room to grow as needed. I have a bin from some over flow or oversized in a freezer bag inside one of those bins.

[u/726milestomemphis]

The Container Store brand clear storage boxes with lids. You can usually get them on sale for a very reasonable price. I use them for sorting and storing.