Where do you keep your crayons, paper, etc

[jacksmomtobe]

I'm trying to organize the stuff (crayons, construction paper, stickers, coloring books, sticker books) on the table in our playroom and was wondering what solutions others had come up with. I currently have some of the stuff in clear box like containers from The Container Store but would like to have something to organize them in on top of the table along with a place to put the non reading books such as sticker books, coloring books. Maybe like cubbies or something like that but I'm certainly open to other ideas. I did look at TCS for ideas and came up empty. Was in PBK for another purpose and nothing jumped out at me there either. Hopefully something not too expensive as I'm looking to organize the whole room and have some other pricey items on my wish list.

Thanks!

[DDowning]

For crayons, stickers, pens, markers, etc. - try the PBK candy jars. They are only about $12 a piece and I believe the light blue lid jars are marked down to $8 at the local b&m's. http://tinyurl.com/y6uwfw

Right now, my two are still a little young to have free access to this stuff but I have about 8 on a shelf filled with the above plus things like hotwheel cars, little people figurines, leapfrog letters. Then you can go to an office place like Office Depot, Staples,etc. and get some stacking racks for the papers, books.

HTH!

[jasmine]

I actually use a cleaning supply caddy I had purchased from Dollar Tree. I put plastic cups inside of it and put pencils, crayons, scissors, etc. in the various cups. It is working out well. Similar to this:

http://www.organize-everything.com/18bluecaddy.html

For the paper, stickers, etc. I use one of those multi-drawer rolling carts available at office supply stores (and at Costco at one point, but I haven't seen them lately). Not the most attractive, but it works great. Something like this:

http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StaplesProductDisplay?prodCatType=0&storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&productId=15697&cmArea=SEARCH

[elaineandmichaelsmommy]

I put all the small loose stuff,ie crayons,markers,chalk,etc.in old plastic wipes containers. the darned things seem to breed on their own anyway. the construction paper is just on her desk with the wipes box on top of it.

jen

[C99]

I use clear containers from IKEA (one for markers, one for crayons). for some reason, colored pencils are in a little pail instead. Keep loose paper in a file box (also from IKEA), stack coloring books, and keep everything else (paint, gluesticks) in a Melissa & Doug crate. Everything is kept on shelves above my desk, because I don't want my 20-m/o to have free reign on the markers. My DS can get to it w/ a stool, but he's not likely to draw on himself, the couch, or the walls.

[MarisaSF]

Not sure if you only want something for the tabletop, but I found something today that works well for us and our 2.5 year old. I wanted her to be able to access some stuff herself. I keep things like scissors, glue, and markers elsewhere, but I'm keeping her other art supplies (coloring books and paper, crayons, stickers, and some toys) in this: http://store2home.com/product_info.php?products_id=1265

I got it at Costco for ~$30.

If you have floor space for it, it's cool because it's a good height for the little ones. DD can play on the top of it too. ETA: The art comes with dividers for the drawers. I keep the (washable) crayons in a little box within one of the drawers so we can take them all out at the same time.

[DAKnits]

For supplies I like to constantly keep on the table, the crayons are in plastic boxes that have lids that snap on that I picked up at the dollar store. I keep her coloring books/sticker books that are "actively" being used in a square shallow wicker basket, along with the plastic crayon box and her pack of markers.

I've seen some cute art caddies and I've also thought about getting a paper tray from Office Depot for the coloring and sticker books. They have matching desk accessories like the pencil "cups" that would fit crayons and markers.

Here are a few things I've seen that I've considered:

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-12/qid=1168579054/ref=sr_1_12/602-4780348-8095857?ie=UTF8&asin=B0006A30KQ

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_22/602-4780348-8095857?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B000CE9SHA

http://www.stacksandstacks.com/html/11281_iris-desktop-organization-chest.htm

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-18772425083243_1927_2871469

http://www.bizchair.com/12164-srta.html

As far as all the other supplies, in the closet I have a three drawer sterilite rolling cart, plus a big basket, full of art supplies and extra coloring books. Plus I have some coloring books in the Target cubes I have for her toys.

[DAKnits]

For supplies I like to constantly keep on the table, the crayons are in plastic boxes that have lids that snap on that I picked up at the dollar store. I keep her coloring books/sticker books that are "actively" being used in a square shallow wicker basket, along with the plastic crayon box and her pack of markers.

I've seen some cute art caddies and I've also thought about getting a paper tray from Office Depot for the coloring and sticker books. They have matching desk accessories like the pencil "cups" that would fit crayons and markers.

Here are a few things I've seen that I've considered:

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-12/qid=1168579054/ref=sr_1_12/602-4780348-8095857?ie=UTF8&asin=B0006A30KQ

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_22/602-4780348-8095857?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B000CE9SHA

http://www.stacksandstacks.com/html/11281_iris-desktop-organization-chest.htm

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-18772425083243_1927_2871469

http://www.bizchair.com/12164-srta.html

As far as all the other supplies, in the closet I have a three drawer sterilite rolling cart, plus a big basket, full of art supplies and extra coloring books. Plus I have some coloring books in the Target cubes I have for her toys.

[funda62]

I have one of these from Ikea http://tinyurl.com/y5oqee
I didn't put the casters on though so its stationary. On the outside of each drawer I wrote in marker what is inside (for me more than the kids). But now I am reading your message and you want something for tabletop so what about this http://tinyurl.com/sklz9
for paper things and then http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=825&category=29&mlc= for crayons etc.

[funda62]

I have one of these from Ikea http://tinyurl.com/y5oqee
I didn't put the casters on though so its stationary. On the outside of each drawer I wrote in marker what is inside (for me more than the kids). But now I am reading your message and you want something for tabletop so what about this http://tinyurl.com/sklz9
for paper things and then http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=825&category=29&mlc= for crayons etc.

[kijip]

We have the coloring/art stuff in about 4 bins on the shelf above his easel. That way he has to ask for what he wants and we know if we need to supervise or not. You can mount a shelf for not very much and then use any sort of bins you like.

[kijip]

We have the coloring/art stuff in about 4 bins on the shelf above his easel. That way he has to ask for what he wants and we know if we need to supervise or not. You can mount a shelf for not very much and then use any sort of bins you like.

[ellies mom]

I keep the supplies that DD has access to such as paper, crayons, pencils and stickers in a small canvas craft tote. The rest of her supplies are in plastic bins either in the pantry or in the closet in her playroom.

[Mamma2004]

Marisa, I haven't seen this one at our Costco. You just got it today? Maybe there is hope! DH just left for Home Depot and since it's next to Costco, I'll ask him to check. I love that the top is "functional".

Thank you!

Stephanie

[ellies mom]

Our Costco had them yesterday.

[MarisaSF]

I got them on Thursday 1/11. They were near the storage stuff --big wire shelving and big plastic crates, that aisle. Having the top at child height is handy. It's the right height that you could roll it under a table or desk if you wanted/needed to.

[Mamma2004]

That just sounds ideal for us. DH didn't get my message to check Costco today so I'll plan to head there tomorrow. I really hope to find one!

Stephanie

[DAKnits]

I just saw this as another alternative ...

http://store.babycenter.com/product/on+sale/toys+on+sale/art+-+supplies+on+sale/dot-to-dot+art+to+go.do?asc=false

[o_mom]

We have a six drawer rolling bin from Joann. It is similar to the sterlite 3-drawer ones, but since it has six drawers it works much better for coloring books and paper. The three drawer one had deeper drawers and stuff just gets lost down in it. This way I have a sticker drawer, a construction paper drawer, a coloring book drawer, a Color Wonder drawer, etc.

We also have a small cabinet with a child lock on it for paint, markers and anything that would make a huge mess. :-)

ETA: I just saw a 6 drawer cart at Lowes for $20 - it was the Christmas storage, so it was red and came with ornament dividers for the drawers (which could be handy). Otherwise it was very similar to the one from Joann which was around $25 with a coupon, I think.