Organizing Bricks

STAGE 1: USE SHALLOW BINS

Get 2-3 under-bed storage bins. You want these shallow bins because smaller pieces don't disappear. Also, the size (wide and long) is handy because you can stir your bricks around without pieces escaping over the sides. When you're done, pop the lid back on and stack the boxes along a wall.

EDIT: Sorting By Color *is* possible if that's what works for your family. I don't want to discourage that! One family I work with divides by color using basic shapes as a category. I love her approach. She has basic colors (red, yellow, brown, blue, etc) divided across four styles (bricks, angles, plates/tiles, curves).

STAGE 4: SUPER SORTING

 Divide by specific parts. For kids who have mastered Stages 1-4, they are ready for super sorting. You can go crazy and sort by individual, specific part or put a few similar parts in the same bin. Akro Mills is a popular brand because it is durable and has lots of configuration options. We have ones with both small and medium bins. We personally like organizers where you can pull the drawers completely out so we can build on the floor or somewhere else. I have several of these carts for that reason.

Notice how there are no labels? Don't do that.

2. HAVE A SPOT FOR UNSORTED BRICKS

We use an under-bed storage bin to toss unsorted bricks into. There will be times when you just don't have time to sort bricks and put them away. I promise. It will happen.

So create an unsorted bin. Every other week or so we put on an audiobook and sort. 

You can also create a semi-sorted bin. For example, rather than put tall pieces (called Bricks) in the generic unsorted pile, I can put them in my Bricks To Sort tub (see the red circle below). 

4. DISPLAY THE BUILDS

Our Studio uses Ivar shelving from IKEA. Technically it is pantry shelving, but we love how each shelf is movable. These shelves are sturdy! We have shorter shelves where we put sorting tubs. We can remove a shelf to allow for our Akro Mills organizers.