Baskets (or bins) (or cubes even!)

Baskets! (or bins) (or cubes even!) Walmart sells cheap basket-like plastic bins that are great for holding crayons, markers, etc. They also sell those spacemaker boxes - plastic "school supply" boxes with lids - $2 Ea. - they come in all different colors (sold in the stationary/office supply sections of stores). They are great for holding math manipluatives, stickers, art supplies, etc.; and you can color-code things for young kids - or give each child his/her own box in a different color so there's no bickering! I use nicer decorative baskets (some with wooden lids to hide the mess - a former Longaberger consultant) for holding things like computer CD's, homeschooling receipts, Geosafari game cards. We found storage cubes (set of 6) at a warehouse club for only $15. Each child has a set in his/her room for their own special toys. Then we have a set in a common area for shared toys.