Best Toy Box Reviews 2018

We all know that you get what you pay for. If you pay for top quality, you get top quality, but if you’re a cheapskate, you might get junk. We agree that expensive is not always synonymous with top quality, but top quality doesn’t come cheap.

Factors that affect price include materials, features and brand, amongst others. Wooden toy boxes are in the upper price range, plastic in the middle, with fabric at the lower end. Boxes with different compartments are usually costlier than those with one compartment. Also note that there are toy boxes that are multifunctional; some double as storage and bench, while others have extra features, like lids, that can be used for drawing, coloring and playing puzzles, or as display boards for artwork. Some others have themes like cartoon characters or TV series graphics and such things. These features would certainly make the toy box costlier than those that don’t have them. Brand name also affects the price of an item. Some brands are known as high-end manufacturers or designer brands; some others have celebrity endorsements. Toy boxes from these brands cost more than others.

That said, we checked around for good toy boxes and found that they fall in the range of $20 to $160 (bearing in mind the above-mentioned factors). But we also came across some cheap toy boxes that are less than 20 bucks. The truth of the matter is, you may think you have a deal with those cheap products, but most of them turn out to be “cent wise, dollar foolish” purchases. We don’t want you to experience that, so we encourage you to look within the range of the featured products, and you will get good value for your money.

Toy boxes are designed with different features, and each design appeals to people differently. No matter the individual preferences, there are features that one must look out for when selecting a toy box. Here are some features that will ensure that you get the best value from your purchase:

• Material – The quality of the material determines its sturdiness, durability and other properties.
• Size – This refers to the dimensions of the box and affects how it will fit into the space in the room.
• Capacity – This refers to the interior dimension and determines how many toys it can store.
• Design – This refers to the style and shape of the box.
• Color – This determines how well the box will blend in with other room décor.
• Safety – This refers to the features that ensure that the box is child-safe and friendly
• Ease of Assembly – Check and ensure that it’s easy to assemble (if it needs assembly).
• Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance – Look out for how easy it is to clean and maintain.
• Versatility – There are toy boxes that are multipurpose; if you are constrained for space, you might consider this.

We will now go further to explore the benefits of these features and how to milk them to get the best from your purchase.

Toy boxes are made with different materials such as wood, plastic and fabric. The material of construction determines the kind of structure the box will have. Obviously, we know that wooden and plastic constructions have more structure than fabric constructions. However, an advantage of fabric is that most of them are collapsible, which means that you can save space and store them conveniently when not in use.

Most wooden boxes are elegant, strong and durable. With the myriads of finish that can be used these days, a wooden box can fit into any décor. All you need to do is check the color and pick one that best suits your kid’s room or whatever space you want to place it in. Wooden boxes can also be versatile; they can double as storage and bench. Instead of having a bedside chair, it can serve as the seat in the bedroom.

Plastic toy boxes are also durable and come in different shapes, colors and sizes. Many plastic boxes in the market are designed in fun colors and cartoon characters, and this makes them appealing to the kids. If you’ve been having a hard time getting your child or children to put away their toys, you may want to try getting a plastic box that has fun graphics and some other exciting features. Some of these features include a lid that also doubles as an art board that can be used for drawing, coloring and playing puzzles, or other fun activities. This makes the box attractive so that the child no longer sees putting away toys as a chore, but fun.

Toy boxes made of fabric are usually reinforced with cardboard or other stiff material to give them structure at the base and sides. These models are usually best for storing toys and putting them in the wardrobe. So if you have a large wardrobe and like to keep things out of sight in the room, you may want to consider fabric boxes. Another good thing about fabric boxes is that they can also fit into smaller spaces, so if your child’s playroom or room is small and doesn’t have space for much furniture, this is a good option. Most are also designed with fun characters and graphics.

Before you get a toy box, check the sizes and shapes of the toys you have. This will help you determine the size and shape of box to get. If your kid’s toys are widely varied in size and shape, you might consider either getting a toy box with different compartments, or two or more boxes of different dimensions and shapes. This would help you to store each toy properly. If you throw in really big toys with really small toys, the smaller toys will be lost in the heap and it will be difficult for your little one to reach his small toys.

In considering the size of the box of your choice, also consider that your child should be able to conveniently reach into the box for her toys

The safety of a child’s product is important, and this includes the material the product is made of and the design of the product. A toy box should be made of eco-friendly and toxin-free materials. For wooden constructions, the wood has to be naturally finished and not treated with chemicals that contain toxins; same thing goes for polyester. Plastic constructions should be PVC and BPA-free and food-grade. If there’s metal in any of the models, it should be lead-free and anti-rust. The materials should be durable and strong enough to withstand being rough-handled by children (which is expected).

Still on the issue of safety, look out for lids that have hinges that hold up the lid when it’s open; this is to ensure that little fingers will not be hit or smashed, and also ensure that children are not locked inside the box (we know that some kids would love to climb into the box or play hide and seek there).

Some toy boxes require assembly; this is especially true for wooden boxes. Vintage and high-end boxes rarely come assembled. So when buying a box, check for the ease of assembly and, if you feel that you can’t assemble it yourself, check the cost of expert assembly.

Most toy boxes are easy to clean and maintain, but the level of ease differs. Remember that your children may spill things in the box and that they may also smear it with one thing or the other. Check how easy it will be for you to get rid of those stains and dirt. Wooden boxes just require wiping with a dusting napkin and furniture spray; plastic requires wiping with a damp cloth, while some fabric boxes can be washed by hand or in the washing machine. The choice is yours!