During a FREE Live Webinar, Loose Parts! Provocations! Oh My!, I noticed a lot of questions about how to store loose parts. Today I want to share 12 ideas with you for loose parts storage!
These ideas come from the amazing Reggio-Inspired school, Rosa Parks ECEC!
The best part? Most of these can be found either lying around your house or at your local dollar store!
#1 Muffin tins
Who doesn’t have a few of these lying around? They make for great loose parts storage and sorting!
#2 Relish trays
Did you take home Aunt Meg’s famous artichoke dip at the last family get together? Great news! That relish tray can be reused for storing loose parts!
#3 Sectioned Wood Boxes or Trays
These types of trays are so versatile!
#4 Wine Racks
Need a new idea for that wine rack that is collecting dust? How about storing fabric used as loose parts in it?
#5 Cookie Tins
Did you get a ton of cookie tins over the holidays or find some in the bargain bin in January? They are wonderful for storing loose parts!
#6 Baby Food Jars
Will they ever stop thinking of ways to reuse these little wonders?
#7 Clear Plastic Cups and Bowls
You can stock up on these for super cheap, so why not?
#8 Peg Boards
I must admit, I would have never thought of this on my own, but peg boards can store so many things!
#9 Tin Cans
These are the fancy kind with handles and everything! I was never above reusing the green bean can from the night before to throw beads or buttons in!
#10 Baskets and Bins
This one is pretty obvious and probably the go-to storage for most people. I suggest hitting the garage sales and resale stores for these! Don’t be afraid to play the “teacher card” to get them for a steal!
#11 Old Drawers
Decided to throw out that old rickety dresser, but hate to waste the drawers? Reuse them in your classroom to store loose parts!
#12 Large Tin Bins
These shiny beauties are perfect for storing outdoor loose parts finds!
For more storage ideas, follow Fairy Dust Teaching’s Pinterest Board: Reggio Elements ~ Storage.
Which storage idea did you find most helpful?
What ideas would you add for storing loose parts?
References
Murdoch, Kath; Wilson Jeni (2008). Creating a Learner-centred Primary Classroom: Learner-centred strategic teaching. Routledge.
Prochner, Larry; Cleghorn, Ailie; Green, Nicole (2008). Space considerations: materials in the learning environment in three majority world preschool settings. International Journal of Early Years Education, Vol. 16, No. 3, October 2008, 189–201.
