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

Muffin Tins are versatile loose parts storage

Who doesn’t have a few of these lying around? They make for great loose parts storage and sorting!

#2 Relish trays

relish trays to avoid clutter with the loose parts

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

Wood trays to display loose parts

These types of trays are so versatile!

#4 Wine Racks

Wine racks original loose parts storage

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

Cookie tins keep loose parts in place

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

Baby Food Jars are inexpensive storage systems

Will they ever stop thinking of ways to reuse these little wonders?

#7 Clear Plastic Cups and Bowls

Clear Plastic cups to classify loose parts

You can stock up on these for super cheap, so why not?

#8 Peg Boards

Peg Boards to have Loose Parts accessible

I must admit, I would have never thought of this on my own, but peg boards can store so many things!

#9 Tin Cans

Tin cans for small Loose Parts

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

Loose Parts Stored in 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

Old Drawers to organize Loose Parts

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

Large Tin Bins for Loose Parts Storage

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.