top of page
Search

Easy and Effective Ways to Organize Board Games and Puzzles

  • Writer: Tara M Stewart
    Tara M Stewart
  • Dec 23, 2025
  • 5 min read

DISCLOSURE: THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I MAY GET A SMALL COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE USING LINKS PROVIDED. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO COST TO YOU. AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE, I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES. VIEW THE FULL DISCLOSURE HERE


Have your board games seen better days? No need to toss the whole game, you just need a studier storage solution! Most board game boxes, especially for preschool and elementary age games, are not built to survive the chaos of kids.


Our team recently stepped in to give this family’s well love game and puzzle collection an upgrade. Today I’m sharing the photos and product links of the storage soulutions we used so you too can toss the worn out boxes and put your kid's favorite games into a container that can handle all the "love" they receive.


For this client, we wanted to:


  • Toss all damaged boxes

  • Make every game easy to grab and put back

  • Protect the pieces so games actually last

  • Make it easier to find the game they wanted


In total we used 7 different products which cover a variety of sizes and price points and you will find all of them, including the product links, in this blog. So if something catches your eye, you’re just one click away from recreating this project in your own home.


Want a sneak peek? Scroll through a few of the before and afters below, then read on to see how crushed boxes became functional, family friendly storage.



Board Game and Puzzle Organization Products We Used


Let’s kick things off with IRIS bins. I love this brand and we used three different sizes throughout this project.



Stacked plastic boxes labeled with board games and activities in a wooden cabinet. Labels include Up Struction and Chutes & Ladders.

These are a great option if you’re limited on space or organizing smaller games and puzzles.


Dimensions: 12.2" L x 13" W x 1.6" H


Designed to fit standard 8.5" x 11" paper

the slim profile makes them ideal for shelving where height is tight, while still keeping game pieces neatly contained and easy to access.


Great if you are limited on space and the games you have are smaller. We purchased these Iris Slim Cases* in a pack of 10.


Best for: Smaller board games, card games, and shelves with limited height.



Stacked clear boxes in a wooden shelf, labeled with various game names like "Brain Games" and "Battleship Game". Calm organizing vibe.

Double the height of the slim ones shown above, these IRIS plastic cases* are great for larger game pieces.


Dimensions: 12.25 L x 13.04 W x 3.15H


Note: Simply Tidy also has a similar product sold individually at Micheal's and sometimes you can find them on sale! When you grab them at the store it allows you to make sure each latch closes well and also allows you to purchase only one or two if that is all that is needed.


Best for: Board games with larger or bulkier pieces that need extra depth.




Rounding out my love for IRIS bins are these smaller IRIS containers*which are designed to fit 6x6 paper. However, as usual, we wanted to use them for something else. In this case bingo, playing cards and maching games.


Dimensions: 8.19L x 7.72 W x 2.50H


Best for: Small games, dice, cards, and game night accessories like pens and score pads.


Plastic bins with labeled lids on wooden shelves hold games like "Playing Cards," "Genius Square," and "Sight Words Bingo." Creative way to store games in an organized way.


Clear plastic organizer box containing labeled card games like "Crazy 8's," "Uno," and "Paw Patrol." One Paw Patrol box is open on a wooden table.

Dimensions: 14.98L x 12.08 W x 5.05H


Individual Case Dimensions: 6.70L x 4.75 W x 1.5H


I typically use this IRIS Storage Box* for eletronic cord organizition. For this project it was used for playing cards!


Now she can take just one container to the beach and not worry so much about sand getting in the box OR send the entire container with the kids to grandma's house for the weekend.


Best for: Playing cards, travel games, and grab and go storage for trips or weekends away.


This is a product you can also find at Michael's by Simply Tidy so keep your eye out for those coupons!


Impatient? I get it. Skip the rest of the blog and head straight to the Amazon Storefront list where you will find all of favorite board and card game organization products.



Clear storage bins labeled "Roll & Play," "Chicken vs. Hotdog," "Zingo," and "Pop the Pig" are neatly organized on a wooden shelf.

We purchased these bins by Simply Tidy from Michael’s. They’re available in white, gray, and mint. We chose the white lids.


Dimensions: 11.6" x 7.6" x 6.9"


These bins are great for containing games that typically come in a tall rectangle box, such as Pop the Pig. The lids are very easy for kids to open and close and they also stack if needed!


You can also find them on Amazon*, often sold in a multi color pack, which is helpful if you’re organizing a larger collection.


Best for: Tall boxed games and kid friendly storage that’s easy to open and stack.


Pro Tip: During the holiday season you can find these with red lids!



Clear plastic bag labeled "Travel Games" on a shelf, containing children's game cards. Background shows a notepad and DVDs. Cozy setting.

These clear zippered bags* are great for games and puzzles with lots of loose pieces or awkward boxes.


Size: 12.6" x 10" x 3" and comes in a four pack.


Becuase they have a handle it makes for easy grab and go games! Plus it has a zipper so no worry about latches popping open. Double plus it has an interior pocket to keep instruction manuals with the game.


You can also lay these flat if you need to for sotrage purposees. OR better yet turn them on their side with the handle sticking out.


Best for: Games with lots of loose pieces, awkward boxes, and grab and go game storage.



Mesh bags labeled "Dinosaur" and "Sea Puzzle" neatly organized in an open wooden drawer. Ways to organize board games and puzzles

I love this storage bag set* because it is SUCH a great deal! It includes two fabric bins that fit perfectly inside the drawer of this family’s entertainment center, but also will do well on a book shelf!


What’s included:


  • 2 cloth storage baskets

  • 7 A4 zipper pouches (13.4" x 9.5")

  • 3 B4 zipper pouches (15.4" x 10.8")

  • 16 writable label stickers

  • 100 double sided adhesive dots - to apply the labels with


Best for: Drawer based storage, and puzzles.


You can absolutely buy zipper bags individually, and I have a set I have used before linked HERE.*


Mesh bags labeled "Number Matching" on a fireplace ledge, with organized cards inside, and a warm fire glowing in the background. Ways to organize kids games and puzzles

Want More Game and Puzzle Organization Ideas?


If you loved this blog and want even more inspiration, check out a project our team completed in 2023 for Wilson Pediatric Therapy and Learning Center.


We partnered with owner Kresta Wilson and her team of over 20 therapists to purge and organize four toy storage areas inside their 10,000 square foot therapy office. We organized puzzles, board games, sensory bins, and more, creating systems that were flexible, easy to maintain, and built for daily use.


Take a look at that project here to see a wide variety of toy and game organization solutions you can adapt for your own home.


Thinking About Organizing Your Own Space?


And if you’d rather skip the sorting, labeling, and the inevitable “this is too much, I give up” spiral, we’ve got you covered. Whether it’s a playroom, bonus room, or family room that’s feeling a little out of control, our team would love to help you kick off the new year with systems that actually work. Head to our website and fill out the contact form to get started.



Now who wants to start a petition for indestructible preschool game boxes!?






Comments

bottom of page