If you are missing the boxes to some of your board games, you are probably having some difficulty storing the board itself and the various components to the game. Luckily, there are storage option for you to explore. Let’s dive in and find out what works for you!
What Needs to Be Stored
First off, let’s figure out what needs to be accounted for and stored. Typically, when it comes to board games there are few different components that need to be handled:
- The board itself
- Cards, fake money, etc.
- Small pieces such as dice, minifigures, chips, pawns, timers, etc.
- Electronics
- Instructions
Depending on the game, there may be other things that need to be stored as well. Based on the storage options provided for the other parts of the game, you should have a decent idea of how to store any other items of concern.
Storing the Board
Storing the loose board is going to be the first item of concern. Boards can be large and cumbersome and are probably one of the more difficult components of the game to store. Something like a plastic pouch may work well.
Storing the Cards, Fake Money, etc.
You want to store the cards in a manner so that they don’t get bent or damaged. There are a number of different ways you can go about storing your cards; however, one of the best and most obvious ways to store cards or similar game items is with card deck boxes.
You have a number of different options to choose from depending on your needs.
If the card deck boxes are not satisfactory for you, something like a card case/organizer might suite your needs.
Another way to store loose cards is with sealable bags. These won’t necessarily prevent you cards form being bent, so you will want to get a small plastic tub to store your bags of cards.
Resealable Recloseable Cellophane/SelfSeal Bags (Amazon)
| Capacity | 2200+ cards |
| Dimensions | 14 x 10.5 x 3 inches |
If you are using a tackle container to store the pieces of your game, you may be able to store the cards in there as well. This would be great because you’d be able to keep more of the components to the game in one place.
Storing Small Pieces (dice, minifigures, chips, pawns, timers, etc.)
Pieces to board games can be stored in a tackle container—you can use one tackle box to store the pieces for multiple games. Something with adjustable dividers would work great since some games come with far more pieces than others. For games with a lot of pieces, a whole tackle container may be required.
18 Grids Plastic Organizer (Amazon)
You may also want to use polypropylene bags to store the pieces. Polypropylene bags work great for storing items long term. They are used by museums store pieces for the long-term, so they definitely should be great for storing you game pieces.
AIRSUNNY 100PCS Protective Polypropylene Storage Bags (Amazon)
Storing Board Game Instructions
As for the instructions, you could just store them with the board. For example, if you’re using a plastic pouch to store the board, you may be able to just put the instructions in the pouch with the board.
Another idea is just to use one plastic tub to store all your board game instruction manuals in if you have a number of loose instruction manuals.
Sterilite Large Clip Box (14 x 11 x 2.7 inches) (Amazon)
An organization binder is another good option for you. Organization binders allow for your to store all of your instruction manuals together, while allowing for organization that a plastic tub does not grant you.
Miscellaneous Items (Electronics, etc.)
For miscellaneous items, your storage method is really going to depend on what you’re storing. The letter holders in Scrabble may be able to be stored in a tackle container or a plastic pouch.
Electronics such as the card launcher in Uno Attack may need to be stored in a plastic tub with other larger and more cumbersome items from board/card games. Just remember that when storing anything electronic, take the batteries out before storing it away.
Storing Everything Together
Of course, you don’t need to store everything separately. You can opt to store everything together in a plastic pouch or plastic tub. You may even be able to use any spare boxes (such as Amazon boxes) as storage, though generally a plastic tub will be a better storage option. As for storage tubs, something shallow should do, unless you have a lot of board games that you plan on storing all together.
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