
How To Store Kids’ Sports Gear During the Busy Summer Season
April 17, 2025 | Family Life
Summer—sunshine on your face, birds chirping out of sight, the sound of leaves rustling in the wind—excellent for being outdoors from dusk till dawn. It’s the perfect time of year for kids to engage in sports for the summer, as the warm weather and longer days provide endless opportunities for recreation and infinite summertime fun!
Sports gear can be a bit of a hassle to find a home for after the fun has ended. It often ends up discarded in the living room, entryway, or other corners of the house that are too cramped for all that equipment. Explore practical storage tips on our Metro Self Storage blog to keep all your kids’ recreational gear organized and easily accessible so the fun continues until the school year begins.
The Importance of Sports Equipment Storage
For children, from tots to teens, activities to do during the summer are endless. Soccer, baseball, track and field, football, volleyball, tennis, basketball, golf, gymnastics, and lacrosse—all require specific, different equipment. No matter the summer sport your child engages in, these types of equipment can overcrowd your home:
- Baseball bats, tennis rackets, lacrosse sticks, and golf clubs
- Cleats, helmets, and pads
- Jerseys and gloves
- Soccer balls, footballs, baseballs, etc.
These sports equipment and gear particularly tend to collect in smaller spaces like closets, entryways, and garages. This is what makes sports storage so essential. Without proper organization, sports gear can become tripping hazards as the kids shove their things into various available areas.
Sporting Goods Storage Ideas
How To Organize Gear by Sport
One of the most effective ways to organize your kids’ gear is by sport. Use clear plastic bins, boxes, or bags to hold equipment separated by sport so you can quickly grab the baseball bag or the gear from the soccer bin when you’re on your way to a game or practice.
You can use different colored lids for the bins to indicate the sporting equipment inside. For instance, use a bin with an orange lid for your kid’s basketball gear or a green lid for tennis equipment. Another idea is to apply removable labels with clear writing on them for easy identification.
How To Store Bulky or Seasonal Sports Gear
Bulky sports gear and seasonal equipment can make it challenging to keep everything organized, especially since items like footballs don’t stack very well! When storing larger items like helmets, sports balls, bats, and other supplies, there are a few tricks you can use to keep the equipment neat, in its place, and ready for the next game:
- Helmets. Place helmets on shelves, out of direct sunlight, and with plenty of space for air circulation.
- Sports pads. Once cleaned and dried, either hang them in a ventilated space or lay them flat on a shelf.
- Bats and sticks. Hang baseball bats and lacrosse sticks on a designated rack to use the vertical wall space.
- Tennis rackets. Hang rackets on a rack, in or outside their tennis bag.
- Golf clubs. Store the golf bag upright in a place where it won’t be tipped over or bumped. You might also consider investing in a golf rack or bag stand to keep everything arranged properly.
- Sports balls. Store various sports balls in mesh drawstring bags or a rolling wire cart.
How To Clean and Maintain Sports Equipment
It’s surprisingly easy to clean sports equipment, making it very beneficial to maintain it. After each use, wipe down the equipment with a damp cloth to remove sweat, oils, and dirt, and then let it air dry completely. Air drying helps prevent unpleasant odors and moisture buildup, which can cause mold growth. Store your kids’ equipment in a cool, dry space and out of direct sunlight to keep it looking its best and free from damage.
Self Storage—The Ultimate Sports Equipment Organizer
Keeping a clutter-free home is nearly impossible when you have kids running around, especially with plenty of free time during the summer and ample sunlight for them to expend their energy. However, having excess sports equipment scattered throughout the house can be frustrating and quickly lead to more clutter and tripping hazards.
This is where personal self storage steps in. Self storage units give you the extra room you need when you feel like you’ve run out of room at home! These spaces provide peace of mind by removing clutter from foot traffic and creating additional space at home, making it a win-win.
How To Choose the Right Storage Unit for Sports Gear
The best way to determine what size storage unit you want to rent is to think about what you plan on storing. Are you storing equipment from various sports and over many seasons? Do you intend to store items beyond just sports gear? Self storage units usually come in a wide range of sizes, from 5×5 to 10×30, depending on the location, so you can customize them to fit your exact needs at home.
Another factor to consider is accessibility and whether a climate-controlled environment is necessary. For larger items like golf carts and kayaks, a drive-up accessible storage unit is ideal for convenience, allowing you to drive directly to your space and unload easily.
On the other hand, sports gear made from temperature-sensitive materials would benefit from the consistent conditions of a climate-controlled storage unit. Items like leather cleats, wooden baseball bats, helmets, and clothing thrive in this controlled environment. The items inside are shielded from extreme temperature changes.
Rotate Gear for Sports Seasonally
As summer ends and fall begins, it’s time for different recreational activities. Grab the basketball gear and swap it for the lacrosse equipment. Unload the hockey pads and pack away the tennis rackets! Rotating your kids’ sports gear by season can help keep the chaos under control at home.
Rent Drive-Up Storage From Metro Self Storage for Your Kids’ Sports Gear
Keep your home clutter-free by organizing and storing your kids’ sports equipment this summer and year-round! Maintain a tidy home with the help of a Metro Self Storage unit, where you can conveniently grab the items and go at your own pace. You can choose from drive-up and climate-controlled options, each featuring month-to-month leasing.
Find a Metro Self Storage location near you to reclaim space in your home from your kids’ sports equipment. If you have any questions about the self storage process, explore our FAQ page, or you can call or contact us online. Find more storage tips and tricks from our blog.