Works For Me: Storage Idea

I had many Great Parenting Ideas before I had children, among them that no son of mine would every play with toy guns.

Then I actually had a son, and he turned bananas into rifles and peas into bullets.  And I realized that my expectations had been a teensy bit unrealistic.

I am now the proud mother of three boys and (therefore) the proud owner of every plastic piece of weaponry known to mankind.  We have rifles, pistols, light sabres, pirate swords, ninja swords, nerf guns, water guns and more.  Really, the U.S. Armed Forces shouldn't give up their hunt for weapons of mass destruction until they've had a go at our playroom.

The problem has been how to store all of this.  Toy guns and swords (especially the big ones) fit very awkardly, if at all, in most storage containers.  Recently, I had a brain storm and bought a big kitchen trash can (a new, clean one, of course).  I keep it in the corner of the playroom, and it's proven to be the best weapon storage solution I've found.  A bonus?  I bought a second one for Hot Wheels tracks.  Works for me!

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Comments

[Smockity Frocks]

Thank you, Shannon.

[ellen b]

What a great idea. I love organization and the size of some of the toys out there make it really hard. Fun also to aim and throw them in :)

[WhatWorksForMom]

Clever!!!

[Ann @ Holy Experience]

Baskets, cans, wood boxes.
Do whatever it takes, Mom. ~warm smile~

Thumbs up, Shannon!
All's grace,
Ann

[Mandy Houk]

Well, I have two of the girliest girls you could imagine, so I don't have gun storage issues. But I'm thinking this would work great for our hobby horses!

Thanks, Shannon!

[Lynnae (From Under the Clutter)]

That's a great idea! We use trash cans (the big outside size) to store outside toys. I've never thought of using a kitchen trash can for inside toys though!

[diatribal]

That's a great tip! I will remember that when my time comes. I almost posted on toy storage this week, but with my recent move, I decided that I am not one to give out organizational advice!!

Thanks for the idea.

[Karen@FamilyBriefs]

Pictures? Where are the pictures? Don't you know our tiny minds hunger for pictures?

[Christa]

Great idea, Shannon! I'm going to have to do this! With three small boys and a daddy who's a police officer, we have lots of guns, even scale replicas of the fancy ones used to spin for ceremonies! Thanks for the great idea!

[Western Warmth]

Here's my comment...Visit my blog for a tip on getting organized! Love your blog by the way, it's so fun to read.

[Michelle at Scribbit]

Yes, I thought I could have kinder, gentler boys who didn't play with guns. Then I had sons.

[jen]

boys will be boys
and boys will use their fingers as guns if necessary
I have been successful in my ban of No guns mostly I think Billy might have 1 and a light sabre but as I said cant ban their fingers or twigs can u???

[mummifiedx5]

With 4 girls and a son who's almost 16, I don't have to worry about toy guns and such anymore...it's all about small gadgets and game consoles.

[Dawn]

So far the only weapons we have are water pistols and one Ninja Turtle sword, but Hot Wheels tracks are taking over so I am going to use this great tip to get those things under control. Great tip.

[brat]

My daughter, who lives with us is expecting my first grandchild in Dec. Will be my first experience raising a boy. The no gun policy will be firmly in place. I know boys will 'make guns' from anything, but we won't bring them in the house. Guns are too big of a problem in and around our city and I can't see making them 'fun'. ugh

[Karen @ Simply A Musing Blog]

Great idea, Shannon...my kids have a storage bin with open tubs so they can just throw the junk in there and it looks somewhat organized. I like this idea too!

[Beth_C]

My son is just beginning his fascination with guns and swords. What a great idea!

[floorplan]

My son has put his favorite 'swords' on display on his bedroom wall. They prop easily on little nails, and removing them is easy, kind of like when Daniel Boone would grab his rifle from the wall just before going off to kill a 'bar'. This way he has a very manly display of weaponry, too.

floorplan

[Heather]

My husband is a hunter, so I dropped the no gun idea pretty much as soon as it formed in my head. My rule is, we never point toy guns at people. EVER.

My boys spend their days running around shooting "bad bugs" and "baddies." I feel it's a decent compromise.

[Jenny from Mommin' It Up!]

Great! My sister-in-law will love this tip for her boys!

[Lisa]

I'll never forget the day my son (5) wrapped the baby's Boppy around his waist and used the "ends" as a gun, running around the house shooting everything. That sealed it for me. He is All Boy.

[Toni]

This is a great tip. With a just turned 3 year old I am beginning to experience an overload of weaponry. Thanks!

[At A Hen's Pace]

This is a great idea. With 4 boys, we've had the same issue and solved it with those giftwrap storage boxes that fit under the bed. (We call it "the arsenal"!) But I've thought of moving the whole collection to the garage in the summers, and the trash can idea is PERFECT for that plan. Thanks!

Jeanne

[maria]

no wfmw link, but I am laughing at how unrealistic our ideals are ...BEFORE we actually reproduce. As a mom of 3 boys myself, I understand. And SOO wish I had thought of that for Hot Wheels tracks...doh

[Antique Mommy]

We buy Sean every gun/club/sword we can find hoping to encourage him away from his tea set.