The Master Builder's Guide to Sorting and Storing LEGOS

Are you drowning in LEGOS? Do you feel like those little, plastic, imagination boosters are taking over your house? If so, keep reading for a simple LEGO sorting and storage method that will finally put (and keep) those pieces in their place!

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We interrupt our regularly scheduled family faith posts to bring you this important guide that every mom desperately needs: the keys to sorting and storing LEGOS so your master builder can find exactly what he or she needs to complete their incredible creations.

To say that my husband is a huge LEGO fan would be an understatement. Whereas I will always find room in our budget for books, my man will ALWAYS find funds to support his (and now, our son’s) LEGO obsession.

My husband’s been making and re-making LEGO creations for most of his life. He couldn’t wait to pass along his passion for building with our kids. And thank goodness my 6 year old is just as obsessed. It’s so sweet to watch them connect over their latest build.

But not only is my man passionate about LEGOS, he’s also one of the most strategic, analytic and organized men I’ve ever met. So it’s no wonder that he’s put a lot of thought into what I am about to share with you. His experience mixed with his ability to create a system that’s simple and functional is why this master builder’s guide to sorting and storing LEGOS works so well.

The Master Builder’s Guide to Sorting and Storing LEGOS

Sorting LEGOS

Most of the moms I talk to have tried storing LEGOS by color. It makes perfect sense. When Timmy needs a red piece, he’ll know exactly where to find it. But the thing is. . .master builders very rarely build by color. Instead, plastic architects build in shape and function.

They may need a wing for their fighter jet or an arched doorway for their castle. Perhaps their creation requires a flat piece instead of a brick to finish the wall. Specific LEGO pieces will be easier to find if you store them in categories of shape and use, instead of red, blue, yellow, white, etc.

Now that we’ve decided it’s best to sort pieces by shape and function, we need to decide on the categories of pieces. It’s best to have a separate place for each category. One for bricks, one for flats, one for arches and angles, one for vehicle parts, etc. We’ve broken down our LEGOs into the following categories:

Bricks
Flats
Windows, Doors, Angles & Arches
People, Animals & Accessories
Wheels & Vehicle Parts
Hinges & Connectors
Miscellaneous

This part can be completely customized based on how your master builder thinks. Encourage him or her to tell you what they think each category should be. This way, when they are looking for a specific piece, their unique perspective will lead them to find it.

LEGO STORAGE KEY #1: Sort pieces by shape and function, not color.

Storing LEGOS

Next, it’s time to decide where your LEGOS will live. We used these 4-Drawer Storage Carts because of the perfect size, the ability to move them around and the trays on top which allow you to sort new Lego sets when building (which is when we do actually sort pieces by color). But there are many options available based on your space and needs.

We put a small worktable in between our LEGO storage giving our master builder his own personal work space to create! The one pictured here is from IKEA but you can find several similar options on Amazon.

LEGO STORAGE KEY #2: After you break pieces into categories, use a separate bin or drawer to hold each type of piece.

Using LEGOS and Storing Them Again After Use

This genius method of playing with LEGOS in a way that allows for quick and easy clean up is thanks to husband’s mom. She was a smart and strategic woman and I have her to thank for my husband’s organization and homemaking skills! Linda taught Dave to always spread his LEGOS on a blanket or towel so that when it was time to clean up, he could simply gather the ends of the blanket and pour the LEGOS back into their storage place. Brilliant!

We still have the little plaid piece of fabric my husband used as a child but we’ve added a few flour-sack towels for my son so he can explore multiple piles of LEGOS at a time but still have quick and easy clean up!

LEGO STORAGE KEY #3: Use a blanket or towel to hold LEGO pieces while you explore each type so you can easily return them to their specific bin or drawer.

I hope these strategies and ideas have inspired you to come up with your own functional LEGO storage method. I imagine our LEGOS will be around here for many years so I’m thankful to have found a storage solution that works for us. Now if only I could keep myself from stepping on them when my master builder doesn’t put them away. . . (OUCH!)