Ooooo..shapes! For blue, what color would you go with because of the chalk boards? Something darker and more navy?

You could paint over the Care Bears (sorry CBs) and find some new decals to cover them. Here are some from Etsy, but you can probably find many more.

https://www.etsy.com/search?q=toy+box+decal

Coming back to ask....Would it look ok if I painted it solid except the chalk boards? Solid color with maybe write toys along the bottom in the same color blue and call it a day?

Voila - Oh, another good idea! I like the decal idea better than me messing with drawing something. Thanks!

I like this one and can get it in different colors. Size is 24"x11" or 30"x13" I'd have to measure that bottom part to see if it would fit.

Is it too boring to simply paint over the decals with white paint? Then you could use new decals for color.

Voila - That would be just fine with me. I wondered if it would look like it was missing decorations and like a bad DIY. I might just be so used to seeing the Care Bears and everything where it is that I can't picture it more plain.

You could paint all the vertical surfaces in chalkboard paint, then your son could decorate it himself. I've added powdered grout to regular wall paint to turn any color into chalkboard paint. There is also magnetic paint, but I've read less than stellar reviews on that. And you can buy Lego pads to turn a flat surface into a Lego base--just some ideas.

Here are poor mock ups. The shadows in the photo made it hard to get a solid color. You get the idea.

Mamagoose - Hmmm.. that's another idea. He's only be able to do something with the front. It will sit on a longer wall beside a dresser with only a few inches on either side.

Such a cute toy box, and it could be imagined by the little guy into so many things: a store, ice cream stand, kitchen, workshop, school. It would be easy to use contact paper and stickers or vinyl clings to be anything you/he wants. Vinyl clings can be changed out as he grows or his passions change (like from Thomas to Spider-Man)

I was also thinking, a contact paper in a plaid that uses the blue, or even wood-look contact paper, would let it be used a bit longer or in another room. And you can always combine, mix, and match patterns and solids.

Ooh, add magnetic sheets, or magnetic baking pans or trays (you can find cute printed ones in the housewares area of goodwill, Salvation Army, rummage sales, flea markets) to the sides or the back.

Does he like Legos? Can you add base plates to the sides? It's not a great bin for storing Legos, but it can be fun to do "mosaics" on a vertical surface.

If you just add color, no decals it will "fit" longer as a child grows. That sort of storage could be always welcome. Babyish decals not so much.

I would paint it in solid colors...the back vertical surfaces one color, the front vertical surfaces another, the horizontal surfaces another. Maybe use auto pinstriping decals to decorate the edges if you want to dress it up some...they come in wonderful elementary colors and are easy to apply.

What would it look like if you took the top off and just had the toy box part? Maybe put a low back on it. My boys had a toy box similar but it did not have the top like yours.

Thank you for all the different ideas everyone!

Bpathome - Plaid contact paper is an interesting idea. I'll look around and see what's out there. I love plaid. - ETA just looked and am not seeing much for plaid contact paper. I'm wondering if I could paint some plaid. Haha! I went from not wanting to spend a bunch of time on this to considering painting PLAID.

I didn't think vinyl clings stuck to anything other than windows. ??

Unfortunately in either room the sides of the toy box won't be used because of where it will have to go.

Arcy - I agree. I much prefer to get long term use out of things.

Annie - Pinstriping decals is a good idea. The sides do have a few blue stripes that run around the edges. I was trying to think of a way to keep those, but I think it will end up looking dingy and strange once a fresh coat of paint goes on elsewhere.

Erin - Looking at it, I could probably take the top off, but there would be a strange piece that sticks up that would need cut off. I don't care for the curved piece at the very top, but I do like the extra vertical storage.

I think for now I'm going to paint it white and leave the chalk boards and blue trim. I'll at least get some primer on it. I think I need to see it as a blank slate. I also need to remember it's going to actually have toys on and inside so that will visually make a difference.

I'll post photos when I get it figured out!