Reader Question: Organizing Bath Toys

by Mandi on July 10, 2009

source: Larsz

Last week I received an email from Nikki wondering if I had any suggestions for organizing bath toys. I promised her an answer this week, and I wanted to share it here in case anyone else is wondering the same thing. I hope you all will have some suggestions to add as well!

Before my actual suggestions, let me start with a disclaimer that this is one area where I am completely minimalist. My girls’ favorite shower toys right now are three kids cups from TGIFridays (we always get them water and bring the cups home with us to reuse for a variety of different things!) and a condiment bottle. There’s a Little People boat in there too, but I don’t think anyone has played with it in a couple of weeks.

That said, we’ve had more bath toys in the past, so I still have some suggestions:

1. Minimize the number you use in each bath.

Okay, I know you’re rolling your eyes because I just said I have real suggestions on organizing them, but I think this one is important. There are a couple of reasons to minimize the number of toys you dump in the bath each time:

:: Clean up is easier. The less you get out, the less you have to clean up. I know it’s tempting to add all the fun toys to the bath tub each time, but I’ve seen over and over again how much better my kids play when they have less to play with, and easy clean up is an added bonus

:: Toys last longer. One hazard of bath toys is they tend to get mildewy and gross over time even if you’re doing your best to dry them after use. You can always wash them, spray them with a disinfectant or run them through the dishwasher to keep them clean, but you still end up needing to replace them more often than other toys just because of wear. If you use less for each bath time, you won’t end up having to replace all of them at the same time.

2. Keep a small number of toys in the shower/tub and the rest under the sink or in the linen closet.

Keeping the toys in two separate places gives you control over rotating them without the hassle of having them spread throughout your bathroom on a daily basis.

3. Clean up after every bath or shower.

Use one of the ideas below to allow bath toys to properly drain after they’ve been cleaned up so that you don’t have to leave them sitting in the bottom of the bath tub to dry. If it’s too much of a hassle to clean them up, you probably still have too many out, so it may be time to sort through them again!

shower-curtain-with-pockets
I love the idea of this shower curtain, which has mesh pockets mounted right on it. I’m not sure how much weight each one can hold, but the mesh pockets would be a great way to drain the toys while also limiting how many toys you keep out.

frog-scoop-organizer
This Frog Pod organizer takes the hassle out of cleanup with its detachable scoop for scooping the toys right out of the water before hanging them on the wall to drain. Our main shower doesn’t have traditional tile walls, and a suction cup organizer won’t work, but if it would, I think this is the one I’d opt for because it’s cute and functional!

corner-mesh-bath-toy-organizer This corner mesh organizer (which also attaches with suction cups) is another great alternative, offering space for toys as well as soap and other bath accessories.

There are tons of other organizers available, but there’s no reason you have to buy a specialty item. Pick up a couple of plastic baskets from Wal-Mart and drill a few holes in the bottom for easy and inexpensive toy storage, or use a mesh laundry bag and a suction cup to make your own organizer!

Now it’s your turn to weigh in. What advice do you have for Nikki? How do you organize your bath toys?

http://www.yankeeinontario.blogspot.com Christy

I bought the frog pod. Very cute, functional, but HUGE! You can wall mount with suction cups, install with adhesive or permanently mount with screws. I ended up selling it on Craigslist.

I did find a bucket at the dollar store that was perfect. It has a rope hanger that you put around the faucet handle and it is full of holes. Problem solved, inexpensively!

Christy’s last blog post…A few extra pics. that didn’t make 365

Mandi

Oh, good to know, Christy! I was actually looking at the picture thinking it looked a little *small*, so I’m glad you mentioned this!
Paula

We have the Frog Pod (and installed it with screws…) and LOVE it. We’ve had it for 3 years or so and it’s still great & everyone loves it when they see it. It’s perfect for us. And the customer service was AWESOME-had some issue with the glue sticking to my 1950s tile (surprised???) : ) Would definitely buy it again.

http://www.yankeeinontario.blogspot.com Christy

I bought the frog pod. Very cute, functional, but HUGE! You can wall mount with suction cups, install with adhesive or permanently mount with screws. I ended up selling it on Craigslist.

I did find a bucket at the dollar store that was perfect. It has a rope hanger that you put around the faucet handle and it is full of holes. Problem solved, inexpensively!

Christy’s last blog post…A few extra pics. that didn’t make 365

Mandi

Oh, good to know, Christy! I was actually looking at the picture thinking it looked a little *small*, so I’m glad you mentioned this!
Paula

We have the Frog Pod (and installed it with screws…) and LOVE it. We’ve had it for 3 years or so and it’s still great & everyone loves it when they see it. It’s perfect for us. And the customer service was AWESOME-had some issue with the glue sticking to my 1950s tile (surprised???) : ) Would definitely buy it again.

Nicki

I’ve recently moved ALL the bath toys out of the bathroom and I like it much better ;o)

The toys are now stored in the bedroom in one of the Ikea Trofast buckets. The kid’s each choose a few to take into the bath and when bath time is over I have a mesh bag with suction cups that hangs over the bath so they can drain. In the morning they get put away.

I also never buy squirty toys as I find these are really hard to dry and therefore go mildewy. My kids like cups/bottles and funnels the best, oh and boats of course!
Nicki

I’ve recently moved ALL the bath toys out of the bathroom and I like it much better ;o)

The toys are now stored in the bedroom in one of the Ikea Trofast buckets. The kid’s each choose a few to take into the bath and when bath time is over I have a mesh bag with suction cups that hangs over the bath so they can drain. In the morning they get put away.

I also never buy squirty toys as I find these are really hard to dry and therefore go mildewy. My kids like cups/bottles and funnels the best, oh and boats of course!
Lori

We have a corner mesh “basket” that secures w/suction cups. It doesn’t take up a lot of space but holds a lot of toys. They all drain right into the tub. I think I got it at Babies R Us & it’s Fisher Price maybe? The only thing is that periodically I have to be sure to clean the wall behind it because water can get trapped in the corner of the tub between the wall & the basket causing mildew.

Other than that it’s perfect!
Lori

We have a corner mesh “basket” that secures w/suction cups. It doesn’t take up a lot of space but holds a lot of toys. They all drain right into the tub. I think I got it at Babies R Us & it’s Fisher Price maybe? The only thing is that periodically I have to be sure to clean the wall behind it because water can get trapped in the corner of the tub between the wall & the basket causing mildew.

Other than that it’s perfect!
http://www.overcomingbusy.com Marci@OvercomingBusy

Our first child had tons of bath toys. For some reason, all the relatives on my husbands side got her bath toys for her 1st birthday. We had one of those suction cup mesh bags. I hated that thing! When we moved, I threw out all the nasty squirty toys and kept the rest under the sink. I just gave her a cup and a couple other toys at bathtime. Now, my son has a few toys in a plastic basket with holes in the bottom from the dollar store. After bathtime, he just puts the toys in there and lets it drain.

Marci@OvercomingBusy’s last blog post…Lessons From Grandma – Count Your Blessings
http://www.overcomingbusy.com Marci@OvercomingBusy

Our first child had tons of bath toys. For some reason, all the relatives on my husbands side got her bath toys for her 1st birthday. We had one of those suction cup mesh bags. I hated that thing! When we moved, I threw out all the nasty squirty toys and kept the rest under the sink. I just gave her a cup and a couple other toys at bathtime. Now, my son has a few toys in a plastic basket with holes in the bottom from the dollar store. After bathtime, he just puts the toys in there and lets it drain.

Marci@OvercomingBusy’s last blog post…Lessons From Grandma – Count Your Blessings
nikki

thanks ladies for all the suggestions and Mandi for posting my question i am going to see what works for us by trial and error

thanks again
nikki

thanks ladies for all the suggestions and Mandi for posting my question i am going to see what works for us by trial and error

thanks again
http://mom2mykiddos.blogspot.com/ Karen

I, too, keep the toys in a bin under the sink. My kids prefer to play with the cap to the shampoo (here’s the link: http://www.methodhome.com/product.aspx?page=513). Believe it or not, it entertains both the 2 year old and the 5 year old. Occasionally, I get out some toys and let them play for a while… But, back in the bin they go after bath time! Keeps the bath ready for the older kiddos to shower and makes it much easier to clean without all that clutter on the edges!

Karen’s last blog post…Happy Birthday Cael!!!
http://mom2mykiddos.blogspot.com/ Karen

I, too, keep the toys in a bin under the sink. My kids prefer to play with the cap to the shampoo (here’s the link: http://www.methodhome.com/product.aspx?page=513). Believe it or not, it entertains both the 2 year old and the 5 year old. Occasionally, I get out some toys and let them play for a while… But, back in the bin they go after bath time! Keeps the bath ready for the older kiddos to shower and makes it much easier to clean without all that clutter on the edges!

Karen’s last blog post…Happy Birthday Cael!!!
http://www.simplegab.com mary b

We don’t keep any toys in the tub/shower. In our linen closet I placed a plastic drawer unit that fits below the lowest shelf. It has 4 drawers, and we keep kids towels/washcloths in the top, and toys in the rest.
At bath time I usually limit it to a choice of 4 items. Of course the little cups & containers get way more use than most toys. Hmmm I think it is time to declutter!

mary b’s last blog post…Give Peas a Chance
http://www.simplegab.com mary b

We don’t keep any toys in the tub/shower. In our linen closet I placed a plastic drawer unit that fits below the lowest shelf. It has 4 drawers, and we keep kids towels/washcloths in the top, and toys in the rest.
At bath time I usually limit it to a choice of 4 items. Of course the little cups & containers get way more use than most toys. Hmmm I think it is time to declutter!

mary b’s last blog post…Give Peas a Chance
mom, again

I use an old, plastic, slightly melted on one side colander to collect the bath toys. I leave the colander in the tub for the toys to drain and dry. It’s easily moved out of the way if a grown up wants to use the tub sans duckies and boats. There are never more toys than can fit into the colander without spillage when it is moved by a grown up.
mom, again

I use an old, plastic, slightly melted on one side colander to collect the bath toys. I leave the colander in the tub for the toys to drain and dry. It’s easily moved out of the way if a grown up wants to use the tub sans duckies and boats. There are never more toys than can fit into the colander without spillage when it is moved by a grown up.
http://newmommyhelp.net Stacie @ newmommyhelp.net

I love the shower curtain–haven’t seen that before. In our house, the kids’ share their bathroom when we have guests.

Stacie @ newmommyhelp.net’s last blog post…4 Links To Simplify Your Life
http://newmommyhelp.net Stacie @ newmommyhelp.net

I love the shower curtain–haven’t seen that before. In our house, the kids’ share their bathroom when we have guests.

Stacie @ newmommyhelp.net’s last blog post…4 Links To Simplify Your Life
http://mamadriggs.blogspot.com April

I have a son that enjoys having all his favorite figurines in his bath with him… trucks, cars, Power Rangers… he is THE most imaginative kid… you’d be surprised how many little men can stand around the perimeter of a bathtub. As he’s drying off, I just put everything inside a plastic stacking bin that I got at the Container Store. Once it’s dried out (the next morning), it gets stored away (though that doesnt always happen) but in the event of company, it’s really easy to hide and at LEAST it’s all in one place.

April’s last blog post…Quote of the day
http://mamadriggs.blogspot.com April

I have a son that enjoys having all his favorite figurines in his bath with him… trucks, cars, Power Rangers… he is THE most imaginative kid… you’d be surprised how many little men can stand around the perimeter of a bathtub. As he’s drying off, I just put everything inside a plastic stacking bin that I got at the Container Store. Once it’s dried out (the next morning), it gets stored away (though that doesnt always happen) but in the event of company, it’s really easy to hide and at LEAST it’s all in one place.

April’s last blog post…Quote of the day
jenna

OMG! I’ve had the Frog Pod for 2 years… and only learned NOW that I can store the kids shampoo and conditioner on top!!! HAHAHA!!! Ugh