Talk me out of throwing away monopoly (or: organizing board games)

[momto10blessings]

Monopoly boxes are the worst. They are so thin and flimsy and fall apart. We can't get it out of the closet without a thousand pieces spilling out everywhere. I've taped the box over and over again.

 

Talk to me about how you organize your board games. No more flimsy cardboard boxes or my head may explode. Are there boxes available that are just the right size? I plan on bringing the board to the store to try to find something it'll fit in , but I need ideas first.

 

Thanks!

[Miss Peregrine]

I need this too. We just cleaned out our game closet. It is still way stuffed.

[Um_2_4]

What about those thin storage boxes at Micheal's for scrapebooking???

[scholastica]

You might try these, but they are kind of pricey .http://www.amazon.com/toys-games/dp/B000Y9MGC2

 

scholastica

[Lara in Colo]

I don't have any suggestions except to buy the more expensive "collector" editions that come out a couple of times a year in the metal or wooden boxes

[fairfarmhand]

I put all the bits and pieces in a big ziploc baggie.

 

Then I stack the game boards and baggies in a rubber maid tote.

[BakersDozen]

We do what fairfarmhand does. I have a large plastic bin full of ziploc baggies containing game pieces for each game. Before I threw the game boxes away I cut out just the game title and put it in the baggie just to keep things more organized. Game boards are stacked up neatly and labled on the outside so one doesn't have to open every board to find the one they want.

[Arcadia]

I stack them up in the bottom cube of my 2x2 Expedit cube. That makes it easy for my boys to pull out the board game box without toppling. I can fit 5 board games per cube including Monopoly, Scrabble, Risk.

[6wildhorses]

I put all game pieces in zippered plastic bags. I still use the boxes even if they're in bad shape because they stack better than bags, and the box keeps the bags and board together. When my kids were little we had to lock up the games, puzzles, and toys with little pieces because they use to dump them all and mix up all the pieces, so I completely understand the frustration.

[LostSurprise]

I think part of this is using care and storing the boxes where they fit. Also, not putting stress on the boxes by piling them on top of each other. (Try putting the components in sandwich or quart bags and putting boxes on their sides so there's no weight on top the box. 

 

Monopoly boxes are pretty shoddy though. We're not huge fans but dh bought an anniversary copy in a tin box for just that reason (ds wanted one). Another possibility is just ditching and buying a new copy at your local thrift store every time you lose a box. (Keep the components until you see if the new copy has everything.)

[Moxie]

I put all the bits and pieces in a big ziploc baggie.

 

Then I stack the game boards and baggies in a rubber maid tote.

Exactly this except for the expensive games.

[momto10blessings]

Hmm looks like the newer versions of monopoly have better boxes. Ours is long and skinny. The new ones are shorter and taller and look like they will last longer. Perhaps I will spend the $12 for a new version and deal with that box falling apart when it happens. I did find some plastic drawers at Target that the whole box fits in perfectly, but they were over $7 for just 1 drawer!

 

I did try the plastic baggies with candy land & chutes and ladders when my older kids were young, but they just don't do well with getting them back in the bags. It seems hard enough for them to get them back in the box each time. I do think the drawers would be great, especially for lost pieces I find around the house. Just open the drawer and throw them in- no digging through broken boxes stacked on top of each other. Yes, I am lazy too. Just not enough time in the day.

 

Now, off to win the lottery so I can buy those $7 drawers for each game.

[PinkyandtheBrains.]

I don't like Monopoly so I'd be tossing it....

 

You can hunt for versions of board games with sturdier boxes though.

[iquilt]

We have those cubby closet organizers from Target to house our games and audio books in the living room. Most of the games have lost the boxes but each is now housed in a large ziploc bag (except for the boards). The bonus to this is they are see thru and very easy to find the game pieces we are looking for, as well as fitting nicely in the cubbies. The puzzles that are too large fit along the top of the shelf. If we do not have all of the pieces for a game, I am ruthless and it is tossed. We have plenty of games to play but not very many of the boxes left.

[momto10blessings]

I don't like Monopoly so I'd be tossing it....

 

You can hunt for versions of board games with sturdier boxes though.

I'm with you! My kids and hubby love it though. I avoid it like the plague

[xixstar]

I found an idea online that I love. I got those large 3-drawer sterlite containers and I took all my games out of the boxes, put the pieces in ziplocks (the ones with the zipper is best for little kids), and the boards are all stacked together next to the drawers. I will get around to putting a label on the folded board soon. This takes up far less space and several games completely fit in the ziplocks since there is no big board needed.

 

So in love with this method, the drawers will hold many games in far less space. I'm also a game lover so we have lots.

 

I put the game boxes in the attic in case I ever change my mind and want the boxes back.

[sillymommy]

This is what I want to do someday!

 

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/displaying-game-boardsinfarran-149687?utm_campaign=Feed%3A+apartmenttherapy%2Fohdeedoh+%28Ohdeedoh%29&utm_content=Google+Reader&utm_medium=feed&utm_source=feedburner