Zip Bins Help You Keep Toys in Order

If you've ever faced that mass of little toys that sink to the bottom of the toy bin, then you realize sorting can be an endless and frustrating task. You may even reach the point that you are tempted to chuck it all, but the frugalist inside may hate the thought of tossing good toys. Little plastic bins can provide some relief, but they can also be a little mundane. I find that Zip Bins add some character to storage needs, especially with important bits and pieces like my kids' Legos.

One of the most frustrating things about getting Lego sets for my kids is the cardboard boxes. They don't last very long, and the result is that many pieces are absorbed into the super-sized Lego bin. With three boys close in age, it's easy for that one bin to be a source of frustration. I picked out a Star Wars ZipBin for the youngest of the three to provide some personal storage space for special sets and pieces, and it is an excellent containment option.

One thing that you will want to take note of is the dimensions of the product. You may be expecting something a little bigger than what you receive...I was. This model is actually 13"Lx12"Wx8"H Think in terms of a shoe box. You aren't getting a very big bin, but it's perfect for a couple of Star Wars Lego sets. The box folds out to create a play mat, excellent for prompting pretend play. At the conclusion of play, you can put the bin back together and store the pieces.

Let's be honest...the Zip Bin concept is cute, but it's more for a parent's sanity than for a kid's pleasure! Of course, there are numerous designs and models that can be used for thematic organization. Kids don't tend to naturally organize their toys, at least not in my experience. They may sort and display creatively, but it's rare for me to find a youngster who keeps them precisely placed and put away when not in use. I have 8 children, and I speak from experience.

You can use the ZipBin concept to teach organization in a fun way. There are themed options like Star Wars, Lego, Hot Wheels, Barbie and My Little Pony, great for keeping sets of small things together. It's up to you to institute rules about how toys are to be handled when not in use. You may want to maintain strict order with everything precisely placed. you may be a laid-back parent who doesn't mind a bit of disorder. Working together with your child to establish parameters that he can handle and that you can live with is helpful.

Some ZipBins are available as totes or backpacks, excellent for providing your child with a fun transport option for toys. Great for a road trip or a night at Grandma's house, you can include some favorite playthings in convenient carrying form.