Wednesday 23 June 2010

."Peek-A-Boo" Toy Sacks.

I don't know about you, but I am sick of toys everywhere. We try and have a good toy clean out every few months and get rid of broken or unused toys each time. My kids aren't really "into" toys...they will tip the toy bins out and sift through them every now and then but when it comes to hard-core playing they are really only into certain things.

For Oscar it used to be his train set but now it is Lego, Lego, Lego.

At the moment Lil loves to draw and play with play dough. If she is playing with toys it is usually Duplo, dress ups or dolls.

Tommy is happy to chew on what ever the other two have lying around!

I've come to realise that they are happier playing with sets of toys rather than just random bits and pieces so I am slowly trying to eliminate the toys that don't get played with much to reduce clutter. We encourage them to play with toys that promote creativity, problem-solving and imagination.

Toy storage is something that I struggle with. I've gone from clear plastic boxes with lids to big flexible round tubs to a wooden blanket box and haven't been happy with anything. If I could have my way this would be my ultimate toy storage solution - I love the idea of sorting toys into categories and each of them having their own tub to live in, but there is no Ikea in Tasmania and I want to do something now!!
I have had this idea floating around in my head for a few weeks and finally found some spare sewing time to bring it to life this week...

"Peek-A-Boo" Toy Sacks!!!


I've sewed 8 big toy sacks and sorted the kids toys into them. The cool thing about these sacks is that they have a big plastic window on the front so that everyone can see exactly what is inside them without having to open the bag and tip the contents all over the floor!


They are fully lined so look just as neat on the inside as they do on the outside and should be really durable. Spots rock and you can't have too much of a good thing so I pulled out my stash of Michael Miller Ta Dot fabrics and used the 8 that I have. Buying more Ta Dot is on the list for my next fabric purchase because I want to make a few more sacks now! I thought that keeping Lego in a plastic box would be best but when Oscar came home from school this afternoon he insisted that keeping his Lego in a "Peek-A-Boo" Sack would be cool.

So, at the moment we have the 8 sacks, a box of Duplo, a box of Lego and 3 flexible plastic tubs - one with train tracks, one with dress-ups and dolls/softies and another with bigger toys that get a decent work out. This sized sack is too small for dress-ups and dolls but I might have a go at making a couple of bigger bags to fit those things in so that we can get rid of a plastic tub.


I know this won't solve the dilemma of having all of the toys dumped onto the floor, but I like a bit of toy organisation and it may aswell look good! We have to clean up anyway and it is actually easier to get the kids to help if they have responsibility for picking up a certain toy...now I can give Oscar the car bag and he can be in charge of packing up all the cars and Lil can have the animals bag and pick up all the animals, etc. It makes the job seem easier and I can still hurry around and clean up the rest of the toys while still giving them a bit of responsibility.

Jaron and I were discussing tonight that the bags would look really cool hanging from a heap of hooks on the wall or in a big cane basket with no lid. At the moment they are piled in a corner in the studio and looking for a more permanent home. I'm sure they will stay that way for awhile but in the meantime I can keep my eyes open for somewhere to keep them.

Hehe - had to share this pic of Tommy...he crawled up to the bags and was trying so hard to get the toys out through the plastic window!!! So cute!

If you want to make some
"Peek-A-Boo" Toy Sacks for yourself, I'll be sharing the tutorial tomorrow...I say "some" because they are fast and addictive to make and I assure you that once you get started, you won't be stopping at one!!!

34 comments:

Stephannie said...

They look great.
Just the other day I was packing the kids toys away (thinking of better ways to store them) when I saw an eyespy bag and thought that a bag with a window would be perfect. Now I have no excuses of just having it saty as a good idea if you are going to post a tutorial.

Anonymous said...

Toni - I just love this idea - I can't wait to use your tutorial. The great thing about the bags is if you want to grab some toys to take out of the house, they're all ready to go. Once again, you have found the perfect solution. BTW. I also have the IKEA solution and it is FAB!

Allana said...

Great idea!! We use our drawstring bags that come free with pjs and such, but The Munchkin has to remember whats in them or check them all, so your idea solves that! Well done! Great fabric choice too :)

~ fiona j harding ~ said...

Oh wow Tone - they look brilliant. I love the idea of them all hanging in a row on the wall. I think your photography looks fantastic. Why just a tutorial? Why not a new pattern? They's sell like hot cakes. I also think they could be marketed as everything sacks as my teenagers have more junk than kids do!!
Love them. xxx

Ellieboo said...

I seriously love them - SERIOUSLY. I made some similar bags for the kids ever growing stuff but with one major difference - no window. That window is inspired - I will definitely be making some - bring on the tutorial.

Rebecca said...

Oh you have come up with an awesome idea.... I hate the toy craziness in our house but this would be perfect for so many different toys - especially the 'pretend' food and all those small fiddly things....good to keep the chokables away from the crawlers too!! thanks! LOVE the Window!

Nic Wood said...

They are gorgeous, what an awesome idea. Cant wait for the tutorial.

Nic xxx

Chelsea Parsons said...

squeeeeeel... they are so brilliant Tone. We have everything in bags... but not cute bags like that!

rachelmp said...

They look great! Every time the kids have a birthday party I worry about what to do with all the extra toys.. our house is only sooo big

Jodie said...

What a fantastic idea! They look fantastic. I think these might be going on my to do list!

Charlotte said...

These are fantastic! Such a great idea. although I am not at the toys-on-the-floor saga yet, I know what I will be doing when I am, I agree you should sell these, so cool!

Anonymous said...

SUPER IDEA!!! I'm looking at toys scattered all over the floor thinking there must be a better way!! Can't wait for the tutorial! love the ta dot fabric, so bright and colourful!! Thanks for sharing!! Jacinta B

The Kings said...

yep I'm thinking it's an AWESOME idea - so cute AND you need to make it into a pattern for sure! Now can you make me some!? ;)

Erin said...

Toni - they are sooo cool! You have got to stop teasing me with so many great ideas... my list of projects is getting very very long!

Sandy a la Mode said...

awwww i LOVE these!!! so great that it has a peekabo!

Yana said...

you are a genius!!! that is a great idea!!!! look forward to the tutorial! :)

Anonymous said...

Toni, you are a genius!!!
Linda xxx

Karen said...

Brilliant!!
I too love the Tropfast and got someof the buckets a while back - still to get the frame and find a space for it.

Unknown said...

Brilliant! I made my kids and nephews drawstring bags for Christmas for their matchbox cars and they work great! The window is such a fantastic idea - I wish I had thought of it.

Anonymous said...

Ahh....so this is what you and Steph were nattering about today. Super idea :) I've been stashing all my quilt cover bags so I could use the plastic too so I'm all set to go!

Melissa said...

Wowee!! Your mind just doesn't stop! What a great idea. The colours look beautiful!

Corrie said...

oh wow! today I was putting away the toys and thinking they are all over the place and I need to get organised!

these would also be perfect to grab and take out to church and you can see what you're taking and keep everyone happy!!!!!!!
thanks for sharing the pattern
corrie;)

Jantine said...

What a great idea! Too bad my kids are getting bigger and all the stuff has its own plastic container already ;-)

Anonymous said...

hey! i came here through U create and i love this idea! so glad you posted it :)
definitely making some of these!

Whitney & McKayla said...

Super cute! My daughter would love it. I'm now a follower.

Sawdust Girl said...

These are adorable.

mygeorgieboy said...

i must say that your idea is BETTER than mine!! i made toy bags for my kids (to get them out of boxes on the floor and onto hooks on the wall - but also transportable...) which look VERY similar to yours, but i have appliqued a shape of the contents on the front - a teapot representing teh teaset inside... I LIKE THE PEEK A BOO WINDOW MORE! ahhh, to redo or make do?!?!?!

Unknown said...

this is GENIUS :) I have to feature you on my blog !!

maria said...

Love these. They'd make good bags to keep fabric scraps in as well.

Colleen said...

I made a couple of these.... They were great when we were moving across the country and now for everyday. :) Thanks for posting this tutorial.

http://sewtheday.blogspot.com/2010/09/peek-boo-toy-sacks.html

Clarice said...

I found your tutorial for these while looking for a tutorial to make a peek-a-boo play bag for my lil one. ( http://www.amazon.com/Iplay-Peek-Boo-Bag-Sugar/dp/B001ZZKXHO/ref=dp_cp_ob_t_title_1 ) I love your toy bag idea, but I have a feeling you could be great at making one of these and your kiddos would prob love em too!!

Kate Jury said...

I just LOVE this bag . I have made 2 this morning and already see a difference in my playroom.. I think I will be sewing these all week!

Anna Bartlett said...

Terrific idea. Thanks so much for sharing it!

Tanya Anderson said...

This is a fantastic idea and I love it! You know what would make it better is a printer friendly version and a button....

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