comments:
Ziplock bags. Small sets go into quart bags. Large sets get subdivided into quarts, and then all the quarts and the instructions go into a gallon bag. Bags go into some sort of storage tote or bin, preferably a fairly small one (so the older kid can lift them themselves) that stacks. If possible, have one bin per kid for works in progress. I like the 7 gallon black and yellow totes from the orange hardware store for "working" storage, and it should be a good size for kids. If you can, flatten the boxes and store somewhere; if not, take pictures of the front and back, upload them somewhere, and recycle the boxes. You might cut a piece out of it with the name and/or set number to put in the bag first. Depending on how much space you have, maybe try and find display shelf space for one finished model per kid. Once they finish a model, let them choose whether to break it back down, or make it their featured model, and break down the previously featured one. If it's practical, try establishing a "play surface" with a piece of durable fabric that goes down on the floor or table first before the Lego comes out; and the rule is that the Lego stays on (or over) the surface. If you make it roughly circular and put a drawstring around the edge you can gather up a work in progress and the bricks they're working with and hang them up on a hook somewhere in the kid's room. Obviously you will want one per kid, make them different colors or otherwise distinct. I had one of these as a kid back in the '70s and it worked out really well. You can buy these sorts of things online, or make it yourself from leftover or cheap fabric if you're handy; denim is a good choice if you've got a little more money to spare. 1 3/4 yards of 62" denim and some colorful paracord should make a fairly nice circular one. If you want to be fancy put in grommets every 6" or so around the edge and weave the paracord in and out; or just flip over the edge and sew a generous pocket for the drawstring. Another approach that can help is getting some small or medium flat trays with short edges (think like a cafeteria tray, but smaller) to help with assembly, especially the part where you open up the bags and empty them out. One tray for the current open bag of parts, and one tray for where you're building the model. I like these trays but you might choose smaller ones for kids.