Every teacher needs to know how to store classroom puzzles and game boards. Teachers are storing puzzles and game boards in different ways. They can be stored and organized in paper sorters, puzzle racks, flat stackable containers, classroom mailboxes, desktop sorters, or zipper bags. Each of these options allow you to see your puzzle boards easily so that they are easy to find among the stack. See which option below you’d prefer.

I love to find awesome classroom organization ideas. As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a commission for purchases using my links. The ideas and paid links below are based on Amazon finds that are great for storing classroom puzzles and chunky game boards.

How to Store Classroom Puzzles and Game Boards

Use paper sorters: These metal paper-organizers are just the right size for storing these preschool wooden peg puzzle boards.

Use puzzle racks: Similar to the paper sorters are these puzzle racks which are designed just for the Melissa and Doug chunky puzzle boards.

Use flat containers: Each stackable container has a label so you can spot the one you need and pull it out.

Store small puzzle boards in plastic envelopes: These assorted envelopes come in letter size and legal size. They have a Velcro closure on the flap.

Zip them up: Strong Zipper bags come in all different sizes to hold puzzle pieces or boardgame parts. The zipper is much easier for children to use than the seal on Ziplock bags. The larger zipper bags can even hold puzzle boards and game boards. I use mesh zipper bags to store my printable puzzles. After discovering them, I was done with the Ziplock bags!

Use a desktop sorter: These are also called classroom mailboxes. The dimensions are just right for storing chunky puzzle boards. This one is better than the cardboard versions because it is made of wood. It is built to last and it looks amazing.

Clear Stacking trays to fit in a cube shelf: Keep your letter and number board puzzles in this clear tray-sorter. It fits into a 13×13 cube perfectly and fits inside the ikea 4 cube storage unit.

Store whole puzzles boxes in large modular containers: If you have the storage space and shelving, like an Ikea shelf, you can keep the puzzles in their boxes and store them in large plastic storage containers. These traslucent containers are so tall, that they can hold puzzles boxes of different sizes. This option is for if you need to store your puzzles away for a really long time, in an out of sight location like a cupboard. If you are changing grades, all of your old puzzles can be kept in large storage containers.

Store phonics puzzles in transparent containers: These clear containers have hinged lids and they allow for little hands to easily access the puzzle cards. These containers can be stacked to save space.

Store built puzzles flat in an art portfolio bag: If you prefer to store your puzzles in their assembled form, you can store them layed out flat in large art portfolio bags. These plastic bags are clear and can hold up to fifteen built puzzles each.

If it’s one thing that all these methods have in common, it’s that they allow for the puzzles to be easily seen. That is something I always need for classroom organization. If you also prefer to be able to clearly see what is being stored through your storage containers, see many different types of clear storage options in this blog post. The containers you will see can definitely be used to store your classroom puzzle pieces.

How to Sort Puzzle Pieces During Puzzle Building

There are a lot of flat puzzle trays that just take up a lot of space. I would recommend that you use stackable trays or a shelving system to sort puzzle peices while giving you more space to build out the puzzle.

Stackable puzzle trays: You can assign stackable puzzle trays to your small group tables to keep the puzzle pieces grouped together according to color or patterns.

Desktop paper organizers with pull-out shelves: A paper sorter can also be use for keeping the different color pieces on separate shelves. The shelves of this paper organizer can slide out, making it easy for students to examine and pick out the pieces they need.

More ideas for How to Store Classroom Puzzles and Game Boards will be added as I find them. Have you discovered a new way to store your puzzles or game boards? If you have, please share about it in the comments. Teachers are the ones who innovate and think up the most creative solutions for their classrooms.

If you have any questions, you can ask me anything in the comments below. More ideas will be added to this post, as I find them.