Storing Board Games Without Boxes

Do we have TWO J. g's from chicago?

Wow. Small world!

I have zip lock baggies (labeled) for loose game pieces for those game boxes that are beyond repair.

I keep all the games now on the lowest shelf on my book shelf. My kids are older, but the system worked when they were younger as well.

I just repaired the boxes with clear shipping tape. Most of the time, I did have the pieces for each game separated into baggies and kept them in the taped box with the boards.

We have a shelf in the game room and the games are simply stacked on the shelf. Take one down to play,, put it back with everything together before taking another game out.

I use 2 gallon zip lock bags and store them in a bin. I cut the directions of the box or a picture and include that in the bag. I keep the bags in a bin. You can get larger see thru storage bags.

Duct tape to make the boxes stable again.
Clear packing tape if you want to still see what's on the box.
I also kept checkers, dice, universal place markers, etc. in mason jars, and kept the boards stacked up under/next to them. It helped save some space.

Pieces and instructions in a zip lock bag alligator clipped to the board. For puzzles do the same.

I use tape on the corners of the boxes to reinforce them so there doesn't become a problem. Good luck.

Most times, games are easier to store in their original boxes. If you still have the boxes, can you just use clear packing tape to fix them? That would be the easiest and least expensive method.

If you don't have the boxes, or they are beyond taping back together, use clear plastic totes so the kids can easily see the contents.

For smaller games and puzzles, use shoe-box sized clear plastic totes. These can be stacked for easy storage.

For larger games or to store multiple games together, just get the larger clear plastic totes. Stack the boards at the bottom of the tote, and then use zip-lock bags to store game pieces. Obviously, you'd separate pieces by game. Then, label the the bags so you have each game in its own bag(s). This would eliminate the need to paperclip bags to the boards (I don't think paperclips would stay on game boards very well).

So, when the kids want to play Monopoly, they grab the board and the bags labeled 'Monopoly' and they're set. When it's time to clean up, pieces go in their baggies, and with the board, it all goes back in the tote.

Organizing kid stuff is an on-going thing. Just when I think I've got it down, the stuff multiplies, somehow. Looking forward to what others have to say.

Good luck and just know there isn't one right way to do this. I've often been stuck in trying to find the "perfect" and "permanent" solution only to realize that just about any system is better than constant chaos and toy land mines all over the house.

J. F.

The simplest solution would be to get some gift boxes from the paper store or craft store - shirt boxes, dress/robe boxes, etc. and put the board and game pieces inside. Tape an envelope or clear plastic zipper bag to the inside top of the box, and slide the rules/instructions inside. Put all the game pieces, dice, cards, money, etc. into one or more zipper bags and put in the box. Anything that can get bent or ripped (cards, play money) should go in an envelope or small plastic bag by themselves so they are extra protected. Label the outside of the box on the top and on the side with the name of the game - then boxes that are stacked on the closet shelf can be visible from the side.

If you have game boards that are too big for boxes, get a vertical organizer from the office supply store, or library-style magazine holders (check the depths of these to be sure board will slide in). Stand the boards up vertically and line up the organizers on a shelf. Put all the pieces in clear, freezer-weight zipper bags and insert in the same divider. Here are 2 types:

http://www.staples.com/Safco-3155-Black-Desk-Rack-6-Compa...

http://www.staples.com/Bankers-Box-Magazine-File-Holder-L...

There are some snazzy scrapbooking organizers with flat drawers (DRAWERS, not "draws"). They have about 10 drawers that will each fit a gameboard and the pieces.

I'll bet there's some nauseatingly cute solution for this on Pinterest.

If you cant tape the original boxes then try gift boxes (secure the edges with tape). Maybe put the smaller pieces into gallon Ziploc bags or pick up some plastic totes (they make many different sizes and some have drawers).

I like the scrap book organizer idea. You could label each drawer with the game inside and store the board part of the game inside or next to it.

um......
repair the boxes with tape.
use shirt boxes.
get transparent rubbermaid storage boxes.
i'm a total ditz when it comes to neatness and organization, and i'm not finding this to be a huge challenge.
khairete
S.

Well, before I could organize them, someone would have to bust me out of the mental ward, where I would surely be if our game boxes were unuseable....

Once home from the asylum, I would use large binder clips to faten ziplock bags to the game boards.