Loose Parts Storage Designed to Increase Creativity

Loose parts storage can be done in a way that is organized but also designed to increase creativity in you and the children.  But many educators get overwhelmed and ask themselves the following question.

Where do I even begin? 

Have you ever asked yourself this while looking at your new collection of loose parts?  It can so overwhelming to organize your loose parts.  You don’t want to forget about the really cool thing!  You know, that thing you have no clue what to call but you know the children are going to LOVE!  It’s important to use organization and loose parts storage ideas that create systems but to also use these storage areas as a way to increase creativity for you and the children.

Quote Source
https://www.artworkarchive.com/blog/increase-your-creativity-with-simple-space-design

For many years, traditional storage of our resources and materials has been by theme.  For example, transportation, space, bugs, fairy tales….etc.  But with loose parts there are endless ways to play and no right or wrong way.  They don’t fall into just one theme.  That defeats the entire concept of loose parts play!

Many loose parts are categorized into sections such as metals, fabrics, woods, natural items, glass and ceramics, packaging and plastics.  These physical materials can be used in all different types of play children engage in.  The fifteen boxes you recently collected, the hunks of tree logs you collected from the side of the road and or the objects that you scoured the neighbourhood looking for (which are now living in your backyard) can be used in a variety of play interests.

Here is a good starting point for organizing your loose parts.
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1. Start physically sorting the items based on the kinds of variables they are

To know where to organize those fifteen boxes you need to start thinking outside the box.  Use the natural categories we previously listed to sort the items.  This will keep you from seeing the boxes as only for building and instead as a material that can be utilized in endless ways.  
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One of my newsletter subscribers wrote in and told me that while she is out treasure hunting for loose parts her mantra is, 

“Look at what it can be and not what it is.” - Patricia Eurich ​

Remembering the concept of loose parts, the creativity and the endless ways to use them needs to be a part of the thought process when storing them.  This will keep the creativity going.

2. Look at the idea of accessibility and availability

What items do you want stored for easy access on a daily basis and what items do you want in more long term storage or put away?  This is where children’s interests and the types of play you currently observe will play a role.  If the children are all about ramps and exploring speed, then keeping a bin of 20 scarfs on your very small “teacher” counter (aka, tops of cubbies or the 2 inch space next to the sink) is not the best use of space.  It would be better to have items handy that you could easily and quickly use to expand and further their learning, questions and theories.

To make this process easier for you and the children, some intentional thinking is needed in setting up your long term storage space, which is probably currently known as the room where everything gets piled on top of each other and you don’t dare open the door.  You want to consider where on the shelves and how you will store the items.  

Having easy access to your beloved loose parts will foster your creativity because you will actually know what you have and where they are!

3. What to use to store your loose parts

Clear organizational resources are best.  This allows you to see exactly what is inside so you won't forget about it.  There are so many economical clear storage solutions out there nowadays.  A few I have used are small clear containers from Dollarama (in the picture).  They are stackable and they lock into one another.  Not only are they space saving, they are educator proof!  We've all been there: trying to do all the things at once only to drop a full container of glass stones all over the floor...

Any clear storage bin with a LID is best.  This curbs the piling and overfilling of resources that spew off the shelves.  IKEA has clear bins that can also hold a compartment section on top to provide more organization.  Let’s say you have ten different types of rocks and shells *Puts hand up* If you only have one storage bin for all of those pieces, use zip lock bags to separate them and then place the ziplock bags inside the bin. 

This allows you to still categorize within the natural variable that they are a part of as well as have individual storage for each kind of variable.

​Obviously everyone is going to have different kinds of shelving in their long term storage areas.  Some shelves will be deep and dark and will magically loose items.  Others will be shallow and narrow where if you take one item off a domino effect will occur leaving you under a pile of thingamajigs.

4. Have a home for everything.

On the blog, lifestorage.com they talk about how not having a simple organizational system is why you have clutter.  When looking at the different kinds of categories you have, start to sort by size.  Typically you want to sort smaller items higher up and larger ones lower.  The larger items on the bottom will anchor the shelving unit so everything doesn't come crashing down.  For example on the highest shelf, place the 20 jars of colourful glass stones.  Then on the next shelf place all the different kinds of mirrored items you have and on the bottom shelf place all of your ceramic items that are typically larger and heavier.  

Using this idea of first organizing items by category then by size will create a simple organization system.  Not to mention, a sensory experience in your storage area, one that is visually pleasing, makes you want to touch the items and sparks curiosity by just walking in.  Plus you will know exactly what you have and where to find it.  Phillipa Staton writes in her book, Conscious Creativity, 

“Your structure or plan should contain both aspiration and achievability”  {pg. 23}

You want your organizational system to not be a chore or a source of stress.  It is meant to benefit you and the children to have more ease to engage in your wonderings and curiosities.  

I know it can be hard NOT to grab items that spark your curiosity, but when you don’t have a viable place to store it or a way to easily switch out items, this is when our very valuable loose parts can start to loose their magic.

Another way to help rotate out extra items from your storage areas is by creating a loose parts lending library with your families.  You can choose what items you are willing to lend out and create a system that works for your setting.  This allows your loose parts storage area to stay organized and even open up with space to continue your collecting.  Which in turn, flourishes everyone's creativity.

If you need some inspiration to help you fill those shelves or a spark of creativity in the different kinds of loose parts, download your free loose parts guide.