How to Make Your Own Printable Toy Bin Labels (With Template!)

There are countless versions of ready-to-print toy bins labels available on the web these days…so why bother designing your own? Because when you rely on someone else’s design, you might not get the exact labels (or the exact look!) you want for your space. Don’t consider yourself a graphic designer? Don’t you worry! Today, I’m breaking down exactly how to make (super easy) toy bin labels so you can create the exact playroom organization your home needs!

Why Put Labels on Toy Bins?

Oh boy! If you look back through all our different play spaces over the years, you’ll quickly see one unifying element: toy bin labels. In fact, I think some basic image labels were one of my very first organizing projects shared here over 10 years ago!

And this is no accident! I firmly believe (and have even tested and proved!) that labeling the bins in a play space is essential to not only your kids finding their toys at play time…but more so, being able to clean up all on their own when play time is through.

But there is one major key when labeling toys: you have to use labels that truly communicate what is inside each bin, so that your kids (and you!) know…immediately and without hesitation…exactly where everything belongs.

Why Design Your Own Playroom Labels?

Without a doubt, doing a quick Google, Pinterest, or Etsy search for “printable toy bin labels” will yield all sorts of options…too many options! In fact, you might even spend more time sifting through all the ones you don’t want in order to find a pack that will work for you, your kids, and your specific toy collection.

But what if I told you that instead of finding ready-to-print versions that might “just do,” you could use that same time to make your own…exactly as you want them!

By designing your own toy bins labels, YOU get to pick:

• The color(s)
• The size for your specific bins, baskets, or label holders
• The shape (e.g., squares, circles, rectangles)
• If the labels have words, pictures, or both
• Which pictures/words represent each toy category

In essence, making your own toy storage labels allows you to create the exact labeling system YOUR play space needs, instead of having a bunch of labels that don’t quite make sense to your kids or for your toys.

I promise it doesn’t take much more work than downloading a “done for you” set of labels…so let me show you how to do it!

Supplies Needed

• Canva – free, easy-to-use design software
  • Free Toy Bin Labels Template – see more below
• Noun Project – if wanting to use icons on labels; this site is free for personal use and does not require a subscription
• Home Printer
• Printable Papers
  • Cardstock
  • White Sticker Paper
  • Clear Sticker Paper
  • Optional: Avery Self-Laminating Sheets
• Scissors or Paper Trimmer

Step 1: Organize Your Toys

Believe it or not, this label project should pick up where your toy organization project ends. I always, always, always recommend that labeling be the very last step of any organization project, because it’s only then that you know exactly what labels you need, how many, and what size.

If you are unfamiliar with my organization method, see more here: Learn How To Organize Any SPACE In 5 Steps

And if you need specific help with toy organization, see more here: The Best Toy Storage Solutions for Every Item In the Playroom

Step 2: Identify Needed Toy Labels

Since you now have all your kids toys purged, sorted, organized and loaded into proper plastic bins (ahem…you did go back and organize your toys first, right?!?), the next step is to identify the “name” or category for each bin.

In most cases, toy bin labels are for kids, so it’s really important you keep these things in mind when figuring out how to label a particular group or collection of toys:

• Go with Gut Instinct – Don’t overthink or overcomplicate the label. Look at the category of toys and write down the first thing that comes to mind. If you’re having trouble, show the toys to the kids and see what they suggest.
• Keep it Short – Stick to one word labels if you can (e.g., Cars versus Race Cars, Toy Cars) unless you have multiple bins of similar items (e.g., RC Cars versus Matchbox Cars).
• Break Broad Categories Down – If you find that a single label doesn’t adequately capture everything inside the one bin, try breaking the toys down into smaller groups that are easier to label more precisely.
• Go Broad – Adversely, you don’t need a bin for fire trucks, construction trucks, and LEGO trucks if you only have a few of each. Just go with “Trucks.”
• Go Generic – You might be tempted to label “Magnatiles,” but “Magnets” is just fine. “Little People” can be “Dollhouse” and Hot Wheels can be “Cars.”

I recommend making a complete list of all your toy baskets/categories and then a coordinating name/label/concept next to each one before moving on!

Step 3: Find Matching Graphics (Optional)

I personally LOVE using images on toy bin labels. Not only do I think they look a little more fun than a bunch of letters, but more importantly: pictures are easier for kids to understand (especailly non- or early readers!)

Whether you use a picture only or picture+text, here are my favorite ways to find images for playroom labels:

Step 4: Design Labels Using Template

Once you have all your graphics saved, it’s time to make your labels!

Repeat Until All Labels Are Complete

Fill up all the labels on a single page. If more pages are needed, click the “Duplicate Page” button (right above each page) to make another set of identical labels. Continue swapping icons and/or text, colors until you have all the labels needed for your play space.

Step 5: Print & Prepare the Labels

Once you have the labels exported into a PDF, all you need to do is print them off with your home printer!

If you’re using bin clips or label holders, you can print directly on cardstock. If you want to stick your toy bin labels onto storage boxes or other pre-cut tags, print onto white or clear sticker paper!

For added durability (especially in the playroom), I always recommend laminating your labels before cutting them out. I like using these machine-free laminating sheets for quick application!

Step 6: Label Your Toys!

Now that your labels are printed, it’s finally time to put them on your storage bins! Simply cut apart your labels using a scissors or paper trimmer and then insert them into bin clips or stick them directly onto containers.

I realize finding ready-to-print toy bin labels is certainly far more convenient than designing your own. However, when you just can’t find the exact look, size, or style you want, it really isn’t too hard to make your own.

I hope the instructions I’ve outlined here (along with my free template) empower you to get your play space organized and labeled so you can start to enjoy the order both you and your kids need and crave!