Setting Up Shop on a Budget: Recommended Dollar Store Finds

One of my most frequently asked questions from other parents and educators is "where did you get _____?" And my response has so often been "The Dollar Tree," that some have suggested I ask for commission there.

Now, some things I cannot wholeheartedly recommend purchasing at a dollar store type place (like the recorder pictured to the left: while the instrument costs $1 and the smile is priceless, your sanity is invaluable and, as it turns out, also irreplaceable).

In general, some things at the dollar store are not of the highest quality and won't last very long--toys are often one of those things. And it's pretty hard to walk in there with a kid and not walk out with at least one toy that will maybe break when you get home or even in the car on the mile long drive there. Make your decisions accordingly.


But here is a list of items I do suggest checking your dollar store for before you go and spend more money elsewhere. And even though this is a list of suggested items for a classroom and/or home playroom, I encourage you to think outside the toy aisle! This list is by no means comprehensive, but it's a good starting spot! And it by no means implies that you should buy everything on it!

"Toys" and Playthings:

When it comes to toys and props for play, I generally don't spend too much time on the toy aisle. That said, some things that can be found there and are worth it include:

• toy cars, trucks and other vehicles
• small animals, dinosaurs, etc.
• glow sticks for light play
• bubbles solution
• playdough
• wooden dollhouse furniture
• jigsaw puzzles
• balls
• sometimes dress-up items (particularly around Halloween time) but also consider the "clothing" department for this including child sized aprons. Also consider seasonal or holiday themed props like bunny ears, bug/butterfly wings, etc.

Every once in a while, I will find a toy that is just perfect for a particular finger play, action rhyme or theme, like the time I walked out with 5 plush snowmen to accompany the "Five Little Snowmen" song, or a bag of rubber frog bath toys before Passover to use for sensory play and paint printing.

But for playthings in general, I usually shop the other aisles, especially when it comes to dramatic play. Kids like "real" things and on a low budget, a dollar is usually a good price for a real thing that will be in children's hands. This includes items like:

• dishes
• silverware
• baking pans
• cooking utensils and accessories (measuring cups, spoons, colanders, serving ware, tongs, salt/pepper shakers, muffin liners, etc.)
• linens like towels, potholders, cloth napkins/tablecloths, placemats
• artificial flowers and vases
• candlesticks and LED candles
• cleaning accessories like sponges, dustpans/dust brushes, scrub brushes, spray bottles, squeegees, large buckets
• baby accessories to use with dolls like dishes/spoons, diapers, washcloths, receiving blankets, bottles, bibs
• actual tools for play or woodwork like screw drivers, hammers, nails/screws, large paint brushes and rollers, tool boxes, safety goggles, work gloves, bungee cords/twine, zipties, etc. Also consider automotive accessories here like funnels, rags, and other items that could be used for building or mechanic themed dramatic play or even sensory play (a subject I'll touch on further down).
• tote bags and purses, paper gift bags for dramatic play or shopping
• shopping lists
• flash lights
• receipt books, order form pads
• open/closed signs
• garage sale stickers
• calculators
• magnifying glasses
•  gardening gloves
• badge clips for role playing
• plastic cups in a variety of sizes (like Solo cups) can be used for building, loose parts play and dramatic play, also consider hot cups with lids--a favorite for making "pretend coffee"
• plastic eggs can be found in the Spring
• artificial fruits (on the floral aisle) 
• artificial leaves and pumpkins (particularly in the Fall)
• fairy garden accessories for small world play (especially in the spring/summer and sometimes before the winter holidays there are small props like this)
• glass gems, wood circles, rocks, stones, gravel, moss, shells, and more can be found in the art and floral supplies section and are great for small world play and loose parts play
• envelopes, greeting cards or invitation sets for post office or party dramatic play--you can even laminate cards so they can be used with dry erase markers over and over again
• scarves, hats, gloves/mittens, sunglasses, reading glasses with lenses popped out for dress-up
• toothbrushes, bandaids, Q-tips, medical tape and similar accessories for doctor/veterinarian play
• Mirrors, combs/brushes, costume jewelry and hair accessories for dramatic play
• party supplies like hats, blowers, paper-ware and tablecloths, number candles/birthday candles, gift bags/boxes and wrapping paper for birthday/party themed play
• baskets especially in the spring are great for carrying a picnic or shopping

Containers for Set up and Storage:

The dollar store is a GREAT place to stock up on storage and display options, both for times you are using materials and the times you are storing them away between use. Consider the following:

• plastic baskets and crates in all sizes, even laundry baskets
• buckets/pales (you can check year round on the cleaning supplies aisle and automotive/hardware aisle, and also around Easter/gardening season to stock up)
• bowls in a variety of sizes, especially serving bowls (found with party supplies)
• glassware like jars, vases, bowls, salt/pepper shakers (great for use with sand or glitter for art projects), dessert/shot glasses
• plastic containers, jars and bottles--you can find take n'toss tupperware sets and similar items in the kitchen/grocery sections and also in home care sections with cleaning supplies, bathroom/hygiene accessories (think travel bottles, spray bottles), with office and art supplies, even the baby supply aisle
• trays--especially "disposable" ones with party supplies (and I do not dispose of these so quickly). I love the silver mirror trays in a variety of shapes as well as the sectioned chip and dip trays. I have also found plastic trays with dishes/kitchen ware (like sectioned plates) and with school/office supplies. Metal baking sheets on the cooking supplies aisle work great as trays and are magnetic so they can be used with magnets and magnetiles as well.
• Every so often there is an influx at the Dollar Tree of colorful plastic storage items including matching sets of trays, bins, crates, baskets, containers and more.
• Canvas crates in a variety of sizes (the kind that are sold folded up and you just pop them open and place the cardboard insert at the bottom)
• 2 gallon ziplock bags--these are great for storage of sensory bin filler and standard sized paper items
• check the party supplies, baby and bridal shower sections and seasonal displays for unique containers, tins, boxes, trays, etc.
• consider using pretty mugs, bowls and other dishes for display of materials and supplies
  
  
• file folders
• pencil pouches
• sectioned plastic caddies
• photo frames for displaying art and/or signs
• pencil cups and similar office accessories
• plastic sheet protectors, report covers and similar items for storage and/or display of paperwork and art
• plastic shoe boxes with lids
• plastic basins frequently used for washing dishes are great for sensory play
• file sorters are great for propping up/setting up books or even paper in your art center
• pots and planters in the spring/summer are great for storage and setup
• large storage bags (the kind you vacuum to suck out the air and store under a bed) can also be found here and used for storage of dress-up clothes/linens
• cups and small pales/containers for parties can also be used for storage and display or small items, especially art supplies and/or loose parts
• pill containers for storage of small loose parts
• small containers and sectioned containers with lids can be found with art supplies and also kitchen supplies and used for small art materials and loose parts
• tin containers with lids (both with and without a window to see in) are often available with office supplies. They are magnetic and very useful for storing and/or displaying small loose parts, craft supplies or objects found in nature. They are also good for storing and transporting some clay, playdough or other similar medium for use on the go!

Science and Sensory Play:

Think both inside and outside of the bin here--and even the bin itself!

• metal cookie sheets, muffin tins and baking pans
• plastic basins (often used for washing dishes) make a great little sensory bin
• large plastic serving bowls are great for mixing up slime and other sensory play materials and also as a small sensory bin
• plastic shoe boxes with lids are awesome for a mobile sensory bin or even just to be able to close up shop when you don't want it open!
• scoops in all sizes, especially with party supplies and kitchen supplies
• measuring cups and spoons
• containers with lids in all sizes
• for light play and play at the light table, consider glow sticks, colorful translucent items like cups and other party favors, flash lights, night lights, colored light bulbs
• plastic ramekins and other small bowls/containers without lids
• tongs, can be found with party supplies and kitchen wares
• large spoons and similar cooking/serving utensils
• funnels (with kitchen supplies and also automotive/hardware)
• safety goggles for science
• Gardening supplies including shovels/tools, gloves, pots, soil, seeds, watering cans, etc. I generally opt for the "real" gardening tools here and not the plastic toy sets. Those can be fun as well and are often a good size for little hands, but keep in mind that they will likely only last one year. 
• Plastic test tubes can sometimes be found with teaching/office supplies
  
• salt/pepper shakers, empty condiment/squeeze bottles
• ice cube trays (these can also be great with art supplies and small loose parts)
• bubbles solution, bubble accessories--think outside the standard plastic toys here, like colanders, potato mashers and metal mesh sieves sold on the kitchen ware aisle work GREAT for blowing bubbles
• Sand play accessories are also abundant in the spring/summer--keep in mind that plastic ones will probably have a short shelf life
• Metal forks, combs, butter knives, and cookie cutters are great for use with playdough, clay and even paint
• spray bottles

bug kits, magnifying glasses and butterfly nets all come out in the early spring and are fun to use outdoors--they may not last particularly long, although I have found that the magnifying glasses available with office supplies do hold up to long term use

Now let's talk sensory bin fillers:

• bubble solution can be purchased at the dollar store, so can ingredients to make your own (like dish soap, sugar, etc.)
• play dough both name brand and off label brands can be found, so can ingredients to make your own (including flour, salt, oil, food coloring--haven't found cream of tartar yet, though)
• spices like cinnamon for adding in to playdough or paints, grinding with a mortar and pestle
• baking soda and vinegar!
• bird seed
• flour
• pasta
• dried beans
• rice
• oats
• salt or sugar for sand/writing trays
• paper shreds, artificial grass, tinsel
• crepe paper (great for tearing/cutting into smaller pieces for a sensory bin)
• confetti/glitter and even sprinkles make great playdough add-ins and sensory bin/sand tray filler
• colored sand can be found on the floral/art supplies aisle
• small loose parts like stones/rocks, sea shells, glass gems, wood circles, gravel, pebbles can be found with art/floral supplies
• tissue paper, bubble wrap, gift wraps also are great when cut/torn up for sensory bin play
• potting soil
• cotton balls and pompoms
• water beads--I have found these on the floral design aisle and sometimes with toys, sold in a small science kit
• add ins like small toy animals, artificial leaves, snowflakes, flowers, small figurines, etc.--just keep in mind if you are using something with wet ingredients if it will be waterproof--also check the party favor section for things like this

Art, Office and Teaching Supplies:
When it comes to art supplies, some things are worth paying full price for a name brand. Others can be found at the dollar store and some are not even on the art or office supplies aisle:

• crayons and markers: with these, I prefer a name brand like Crayola so keep your eyes open because they do show up on the shelves!
• pencils, colored pencils and pencil sharpeners
• pens, highlighters and the like can be found, quality varies
• mini erasers--these are great for more than just erasing!
• I would not generally buy paints here, but when it comes to painting, brushes--especially large ones from the hardware section, are great
• other types of "paint brushes" include sponges, cookie cutters for stamping, combs/forks, Q-tips, toothbrushes
• I do not recommend most of the Lego/mega block type sets for building along with your name brand sets, but they are great for use with paint/printing, building a paint tower to pour and drip over, use with playdough, etc.
• twine, string, sometimes yarn, ribbon, raffia
• floral wire
• floral tape
• floral foam/Styrofoam
• food coloring
• white wrapping paper/craft paper for large murals, easel work, etc.
• clear contact paper
• school glue--doesn't have to be "name brand"
• low temp glue gun sticks--I have never purchased a glue gun from the dollar store although I have seen them, so I can't vouch for those, but the inserts work just fine with mine
• keep your eyes open (usually at the bottom of the shelf) for tacky glue (brand name) and mod podge (brand name)
• tape--especially scotch tape with a plastic dispenser is a very economical way to feed kids' tape addiction--but also consider masking tape, painters tape, duct tape (that latter two are usually on the hardware aisle), and washi/decorative tapes
• glass jars, vases, dessert glasses are great for using with painting and art activities--whether it's to hold paints, water for rinsing brushes or small loose parts/craft supplies
• paper--including construction paper, doodle paper, writing paper, lined paper, graph paper, tracing paper, photo paper (has a cool glossy finish)--I've occassionally also seen small watercolor pads, canvases, fingerpainting paper
• tissue paper, crepe paper, gift wraps, ribbon and bows--check the party supplies AND art/office supplies for these
• patterned scrap booking paper
• stickers!
• glue sticks: I do recommend the large playschool triangular ones, I do not recommend the multi-packs of off brand ones, though if you happen to see Elmer's show up, grab 'em and go
• serving trays and sectioned trays are great for using with paint, clay, playdough or even just to cover your space/display materials
• ice cube trays are also great for setting out multiple paint colors
• actual paint trays can be found with art supplies quite regularly
• small loose parts and art supplies like glitter, confetti, sequins, beads, pom poms, pipe cleaners,wooden craft sticks in a variety of sizes and colors, wooden shapes, foam stickers, foam sheets, buttons, felt
• chalk--sidewalk and regular (with office supplies)
• notebooks, note pads, sticky notes in all sizes and colors--these can be found year round and close to the back to school season even more
• binders, pencil pouches, folders--especially abundant in the late summer/early fall
• I do not recommend off brand permanent markers but Sharpies can sometimes be found and are great
• scissors: I think dollar store scissors are fine! I like the playschool beginner scissors sold that have a plastic lever you can set to make them easier for new cutters. I also like the child sized sets that show up for the back to school season (plastic handles and metal tips). You may still want to invest in a pair of higher quality scissors when they go on sale after the fall, but these will do you just fine for indoor use and outside (clipping flowers, grass, etc.)
• artificial flowers, foliage, snowflakes and other seasonal loose parts for art use
• calendars are great for their intended use and at $1 a pop, they are also great for the pictures and photos inside--especially ones with animals, nature scenes, birds/wildlife, flowers, etc.
• teaching supplies are sold near office supplies at the Dollar Tree and you can find some great stickers, sentence strips, pocket charts, posters, and learning resources/materials that are great for home and classroom use
• plastic pouches in standard paper size are a great tool for making signs/worksheets reusable with dry erase markers--sheet protectors can also work well for this
• I have bought dry erase markers at the dollar store and they do not tend to last as long as name brand ones (like Expo), but they are a good option if you don't want to offer expensive ones to kids and sometimes you can find Expo brand as well
• paperclips, magnets (especially sets of magnetic clips), push pins, rulers, rubber bands, staples and other such office supplies are a safe bet here
• colored sand (by floral design)
• vinyl place mats make GREAT art mats--I buy about half a dozen and use them for at least a couple of years at a time before replacing them--they can be washed between use and this makes a great activity for kids in a soapy sensory bin
• plastic/disposable table cloths and shower curtains are also a great surface cover for art projects--I generally prefer something that's reusable and the shower curtains do last longer than one use, but sometimes you need the option to gather up your table top contents and toss it all away, and that's where this one comes in
• metal cookie sheets also make a good surface cover for messy art work
• child sized aprons can frequently be found and are great smocks--also keep your eyes open for large t-shirts, also great for smocks (or for fabric painting)
• white paper plates
• brown lunch bags
• colored paper plates can also be used art projects (black ones make some great wheels on a recycled box car!)
• sewing kits and notions
• I prefer to use recycled trays for paint, but when you want a disposable option you can find Styrofoam trays with the paper ware. You can also find paper cups in a variety of sizes (good for glue, paint, small loose parts and even paint stamping
• metal silverware including forks, spoons and knives are useful for art activities like playdough/clay, mixing paints and glues, painting and more
• disposable condiment containers are great for sending home a paint or glue concoction or storing prepared paints between use
• socks for sock puppets--you can get multi packs of white socks and they are perfect for puppets, dolls, snowmen and indoor "snowball" fights
• photo frames in a variety of sizes are great for displaying artwork and can also be "deconstructed" with the glass and back removed for loose parts art
• I have on occasion seen framed mirrors with the photo frames and these are great for loose parts play on a mirrored surface--plastic mirror trays also work well for this

*There are a lot of arts & crafts kits and even science kits sold at the Dollar Tree. Some of these are great, some not so great. I like grabbing a few activity sets or craft kits when we have a long trip or a birthday celebration. 

Miscellaneous:

Here's the stuff that really has no category of its own...

• hooks with an adhesive back
• rain gauges and outdoor thermometers are a great addition to your outdoor classroom and are available most years in the spring
• zip ties and shower curtain hooks are unusually useful for hanging things up outdoors and sometimes even indoors
• clothes pins, also unusually useful for hanging up art work from a garland, fastening dress up clothes, fine motor activities, making your own paint brushes, as a unique loose part, and, in a pinch, sealing an open bag of chips--also, you might want to grab some bag clips while you're at it
• balloons, both the kind you blow up yourself and Mylar
• foil pans with cardboard lids--I end up using these for the most random things! From dramatic play pie sets to wheels on a recycled materials robot to, well, actually storing and cooking food....
• tin foil is something I swing full price on when I use it in my kitchen, but when I am using it for art or dramatic play or otherwise with my kids, the dollar store is where I go
• microfiber cloths are great for erasing chalkboards, cleaning tasks and sometimes even in dramatic play
• scented candles for those who have aromatherapy commitment issues, like I do--same for nail polish and color commitment issues!

So there you have it, my oddly compiled and ever incomplete list of recommended dollar store finds! It should be noted that if you go and purchase everything on this list at one time, it will add up to far more than $1! And now I am really questioning how much of my own $$$ has gone toward Dollar Tree stock! However, you'll also notice many of these items cross over from one use to another. And particularly with items that are reusable (which is a decent portion here), you won't be buying things again and again. Especially if you store them and remember where you stored them...ummmm, about that... 

*I am still, in no way, actually affiliated with Dollar Tree stores or franchise* ;)

I'll be back with a list of suggested thrift shop finds and until then...

Happy Playing!